What is the effect of the 'Pucker and bloat' tool in Illustrator?

The 'Pucker and Bloat' tool in Adobe Illustrator is designed specifically to alter the shape of an object by either contracting or expanding it. When you use this tool, it allows you to manipulate the contours and outlines of a shape, either pulling it inward (pucker) or pushing it outward (bloat). This feature is particularly useful for creating unique designs and artistic effects, as it enables designers to stretch or pinch shapes in a fluid and dynamic manner.

The options concerning color saturation, blur effects, and texture application do not relate to the primary function of the 'Pucker and Bloat' tool, which centers specifically on shape manipulation. Thus, the focus remains squarely on how this tool interacts with the geometric properties of the objects being edited in Illustrator.