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Applying filters and Smart Filters

Michael Ninness

This video shows you how to apply multiple Smart Filters nondestructively to an image in Photoshop. You also learn how to adjust Smart Filter settings after you have applied them.

Requirements

To follow along with this article, you will need the following software and files:

• Photoshop CS3
• Sample file (ZIP, 3.4 MB)

Watch this tutorial in the Adobe Creative Suite 3 Video Workshop.

Applying filters and Smart Filters

1. In Photoshop, choose File > Open and choose the mobile_wear_bricks.jpg file. Click Open.

   You'll start by duplicating this single-layer image to preserve the original in case you ever need to return to it.

2. Make sure the Layers palette is open. If not, choose Window > Layers to open it. Select the Background layer.
3. Press Ctrl/Cmd + J to duplicate the selected layer.
4. Double-click the Background Copy layer name and type Smart Filter to rename the layer.

5. Select the Smart Filter layer, and choose Filter > Convert for Smart Filters. This new CS3 command enables nondestructive editing. Click OK in the alert that the selected layer will be converted to a smart object.

   This wraps the layer in a Smart Object, indicated by the Smart Object thumbnail added to the layer in the Layers palette. This means that you can add as many filters as you like to the Smart Object, without changing the image that is contained in it.

6. Choose Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. The Motion Blur dialog box opens with a preview of the effect in the Document window (see Figure 1).

   

   Figure 1: The Motion Blur dialog box previews the effect.

7. Change the Angle to 45% and click OK.

8. Choose Filter > Stylize > Find Edges. This adds another filter to the image (see Figure 2).

   

   Figure 2: The image now has two Smart Filters added, Motion Blur and Find Edges.

   Both filters appear in the Layers palette, but on separate lines, which means that you can change the stacking order of the filters.

9. In the Layers palette, drag the Find Edges Smart Filter below the Motion Blur Smart Filter.

   Now you have a different composite for your image than when Find Edges was on top in the layer order (see Figure 3).

   

   Figure 3: Changing the order of the filter layers changes the image composite.

10. Double-click the Motion Blur Smart Filter in the Layers palette. To edit a Smart Filter, simply double-click the filter in the Layers palette.

11. Change the Angle to 25% and watch the preview in the document window update. Click Cancel.

    A new icon appears next to the filters that lets you change the blending options for the filters. In the past, each layer had its own opacity setting; now, so do filters.

12. To the right of the Motion Blur Smart Filter, click the Blending Options icon. If an alert appears, click OK.
13. Lower the Opacity of Motion Blur to 65%, and watch the preview in the Document window update. Click OK.

14. Choose the Channels palette. Press the Ctrl/Cmd key and click the Alpha 1 channel to load it as a selection.

    This alpha channel was created using the original image and the brand new Quick Selection tool, which is discussed in another tutorial in this series. Check out the tutorial more information on the tool.

15. Choose the Layers palette. Select the Smart Filters layer mask thumbnail (also called Smart Filters).
16. Choose Edit > Fill. Choose Black from the Use pop-up menu, and click OK. Now you've masked the Smart Filters off the original figure (see Figure 4).

17. Press Ctrl/Cmd and D to deselect the mask.

    

    Figure 4: Mask off the filters on part of the image.

18. Continue to add and modify the filters until the image is to your liking. You can use any of the filters in the Filter menu with Smart Filters.

Where to go from here

For more information and additional tutorials, visit the Adobe Design Center.