Applying Filters

Unless you are working with multiple layers in a smart object, filters can be applied to only a single selected layer in the Layers palette (not to multiple selected layers). After the layer is targeted, filters can be applied to a selection made within the active layer, or if nothing is selected, to all the pixels contained in that layer. You can apply a filter effect to the selected pixel area by choosing a filter from the Filter menu. As mentioned earlier, the menu contains more than 100 filters, all organized alphabetically by category and divided into submenus. Each submenu is given a descriptive name, such as Artistic, Blur, or Distort. Photoshop displays any third-party filters (that is, filters that you’ve purchased and installed separately) at the bottom of the menu. Photoshop always displays the last used filter at the top of the Filter menu. To reapply the filter, press F/Ctrl+F.

Note that some filters (such as Gaussian Blur) have their own options dialog box, whereas others (such as all the commands in the Artistic category) are controlled through the Filter Gallery dialog box, such as the Diffuse Glow filter. There are also filters that display no dialog box at all (indicated by the lack of ellipsis after the filter name in the menu), such as Blur or Despeckle. Filter commands that are controlled via the Filter Gallery can also be accessed by choosing Filter --> Filter Gallery, and selecting them from within the Gallery interface.