Mirror an image into equal angular segments and tile them around a central point to create a rotationally symmetric pattern. The output changes completely based on the rotation and the number of segments.
Segment counts and symmetry
The Segments slider sets how many slices make up the full circle. Two segments create a single mirror line down the middle of the image. Four segments add a horizontal mirror, dividing the image into quadrants. Six and eight segments produce the hexagonal and octagonal symmetry associated with optical kaleidoscopes. Twelve and sixteen segments generate dense patterns where each petal is a very narrow slice of the source image.
Rotation and zoom
Rotation spins the source slice before it is mirrored and tiled. A slight change in rotation angle drastically alters the output because completely different pixels cross the segment boundary to be mirrored.
Zoom scales the source image before the slice is taken. Zooming in above 100 percent samples a smaller, more detailed area of the photo. Zooming out pulls from a wider area, changing how the seams connect at the mirror boundaries.
Source image selection
Strong contrast and distinct textures yield the most defined patterns. Macro photographs, stained glass, and fabric textures work well because they provide repeating micro-contrast. The algorithm always uses the exact center of the image as the origin point, so centering a subject before applying the effect ensures it remains visible in the final pattern.