Task 8 How to Use the Fibers Filter

The Fibers filter transforms the contents of a layer or selection to a monochromatic fiber texture that resembles handmade paper or textiles. At first look, this filter seems limited in its application because there's not much demand for monochromatic fiber images. The filter does have its applications, however, as this task demonstrates by combining the fiber texture with layers and blending modes to create the look of a print on handmade paper.

1. Open the File

Select File, Open and select the file you want to modify.

2. Create Duplicates of the Background Layer

Open the Layers palette and drag and drop the Background layer onto the New Layer icon to duplicate the layer. Repeat this step so you have two copies plus the original Background layer. Because the Fibers filter is based on the current background color, press D to get the default colors (white should be the background color); this way, you can achieve the grayscale effect shown in this task.

3. Rotate Image

Because the Fibers filter is applied vertically and we want a combined vertical-and-horizontal fiber effect, we must rotate the canvas for one of the filter applications. Select Image, Rotate Canvas, 90° CW to rotate the canvas 90° clockwise.

4. Apply Fibers Filter

Highlight the Background Copy 2 layer and select Filter, Render, Fibers to launch the Fibers dialog box. For this effect, I set the Variance to 5 and the Strength to 11 to create a soft contrasted, streaked result. Click OK to apply the effect to the selected layer.

5. Rotate Image and Reapply Fibers Filter

Select Image, Rotate Canvas, 90° CCW to rotate the canvas 90° counterclockwise, back to its original state. Highlight the Background Copy layer and select Filter, Render, Fibers to launch the Fibers dialog box. Use the same settings you used in step 4 to create a second layer of fibers at right angles to the first. Click OK to apply the filter.

6. Adjust Blending Modes and Transparency

Set the blending modes for both duplicate layers to Overlay, and modify the layer Opacity setting until the layers blend together. In this example, the layer opacities were set to 50%. The result is an image with a horizontal and vertical fiber texture and high saturation.

How-To Hints

Strength Controls the Edges

Although the Variance slider controls the overall smoothness of the pattern application, it's the Strength slider that dictates the main texture characteristics of the filter. A high Strength setting creates sharp, crisp lines, whereas a low setting softens the texture for a more organic feel.