To access your filter gallery, click on 'Filter' then 'Filter Gallery'. You should see a new window like the one in the picture below.
The filter gallery contains numerous filters you can use on your image to create nearly endless effects and enhancements. The large view to the left of the window is where you will preview each effect. This is the perfect way to see exactly what the filter does before actually committing it to your image. The filter gallery consists of 6 Sections of filters. They are as follows:
- Artistic
- Brush Strokes
- Distort
- Sketch
- Stylize
- Texture
Inside each of these sections you will find the filters that will be used on your images. Simply click on the down arrow next to each sections name to see the filters it offers. To see how a filter will look when placed on your image, just click on the one you want to preview. In the example picture above I chose 'Rough Pastels'. You can see how it applied the filter listed above the 'Rough Pastels' title to my image on the left.
Once you've found a filter that you like, you can then use the sliders and drop-down boxes to the right of the window to customize the effect. Some filters will have more customization options than others. As you can see in the example picture that I can adjust the stroke length, stroke detail, texture, scaling, relief, and light of the Rough Pastel filter. Don't be afraid to play around with the sliders and menus. Even simple changes can make a whole new effect for your image.
Keep in mind that for certain filters like Diffuse Glow and Neon Glow, the colors of the glow are effected by the colors you have set as your foreground and background colors. In the image above, my foreground color is white, so if I were to choose 'Diffuse Glow' as my filter, the glow effect would be white.
When you are satisfied with your filter and effects, just hit 'OK' and you will see the changes to your image immediately. If you decide you're unhappy with the filter, you can go to Edit>Undo to remove the filter, or hit Ctrl Z on your keyboard.
Always remember to duplicate your working layer before doing any filters or effects. You can only use the 'undo' option so many times before it stops removing previous alterations. Anytime you have your image at a good spot that you're positive you're happy with, duplicate the layer then keep working to save yourself from having to start all over if you mess up.
| Categories: Filters |