Syntax:
hFigBlur = blurFigure(hFig, state)

Description:
blurFigure(hFig) blurs figure hFig and prevents interaction with it. The only interaction possible is with user-created controls on the blurring panel (see below).

hFigBlur = blurFigure(hFig) returns the overlaid blurred figure pane. This is useful to present a progress bar or other GUI controls, for user interaction during the blur phase.

blurFigure(hFig,STATE) sets the blur status of figure hFig to STATE, where state is 'on','off',true or false (default='on'/true).

blurFigure(hFig,'on') or blurFigure(hFig,true) is the same as: blurFigure(hFig).

blurFigure(hFig,'off') or blurFigure(hFig,false) is the same as: close(hFigBlur).

blurFigure('demo') displays a simple demo of the blurring (see attached screenshot).

Input parameters: (all parameters are optional)

hFig - (default=gcf) Handle(s) of the modified figure(s). If component handle(s) is/are specified, then the containing figure(s) will be inferred and used.

state - (default='on'/true) blurring flag: 'on','off',true or false

Examples:
hFigBlur = blurFigure(hFig); % blur hFig (alternative #1)
hFigBlur = blurFigure(hFig,true); % blur hFig (alternative #2)

hFigBlur = blurFigure(hFig,false); % un-blur hFig (alternative #1)
hFigBlur = blurFigure(hFig,'off'); % un-blur hFig (alternative #2)
close(hFigBlur); % un-blur hFig (alternative #3)
delete(hFigBlur); % un-blur hFig (alternative #4)

blurFigure('demo'); % blur demo with progress bar etc.

Technical Description:
http://UndocumentedMatlab.com/blog/blurred-matlab-figure-window

Bugs and suggestions:
Please send to Yair Altman (altmany at gmail dot com)

Warning:
This code heavily relies on undocumented and unsupported Matlab functionality. It works on Matlab 7.9 (R2009b) and higher (up to R2013a), but use at your own risk!