How to add a fluted glass effect to a photo on Mac

Photos and Preview don't have a fluted glass effect. Koi's Glass wallpaper does, and it doesn't have to touch your wallpaper: set Canvas to Photo and click Save image… to get your photo behind glass, at its own size.

We make Koi, so read the Koi part with that in mind. Everything about Koi here is what it does today.

1. Hover the notch at the top of your screen, open Tools and click Glass wallpaper.
2. Under Photo, pick the last tile and choose your photo, or drop it on the preview.
3. Pick a recipe: Classic Flutes, Tidal, Soft Lens, Rain or Tiles.
4. Set Canvas to Photo, so the picture keeps your photo's own size and shape.
5. Click Save image… and pick where it goes. Your wallpaper stays as it was.

• Keep Size and Distortion low for a face or a pet, so it stays clear.
• Canvas set to Screen saves it at your screen's size instead. A very large photo is saved at the largest size Koi draws.
• Like the look? Set as wallpaper puts it on every screen.
• Your photo is never sent anywhere. The glass is drawn on your Mac.

• A phone wallpaper from a holiday photo.
• A soft background for a slide, a post or a thumbnail.
• A profile banner that isn't just a stock gradient.

Every control, explained: how to make a fluted glass wallpaper on Mac. Or skip the glass and just set a photo as your wallpaper.