Task 10 How to Use the Filter Gallery

The Filter Gallery enables you to explore multiple combinations of the Photoshop Artistic filters in a fluid, interactive interface. It allows you to combine 47 filter effects, with full control over all filter settings and variables, complete with real-time preview updates that reflect the cumulative filter results.

Most filters that result in a color image have color thumbnails. On the other hand, most filters with black-and-white thumbnails use the foreground and background colors from the toolbox. However, some filters use combinations of both methods, and some have their own color logic.

1. Open the Gallery Interface

With the target image open on the desktop, select Filter, Filter Gallery. The Filter Gallery interface window consists of four main areas: the preview window, Filters palette, Filter Controls section, and Effect Layer palette.

2. Select a Filter

In the Filters palette, click the arrows next to the folders to display the categories of individual filter thumbnails. Click a thumbnail to select a filter. When you do, the filter name appears in the Effect Layer palette and its controls appear in the Filter Controls section.

3. Modify Filter Controls

Depending on the size of your image, it might take a moment for Photoshop to apply the filter settings to the preview image. Modify the filter controls until you're satisfied with the results. Here I adjust the controls for the Glass filter (found in the Distort category).

4. Zoom to Preview

The Filters Gallery automatically scales the image preview to fit the size of the preview window. You should zoom in to 100% and check your results after you select the first filter. To do this, click the + or button in the lower-left of the preview window until 100% is showing next to the buttons. You can also select a magnification rate from the magnification pop-up menu (the black triangle next to the % box). Click and drag inside the preview window to move the preview area.

5. Add Another Effect Layer

Photoshop allows only one filter per effect layer, so you must create a new effect layer before you can add another filter. To do this, click the New Effect Layer icon at the bottom of the Effect Layer palette.

6. Add Another Filter

Click another filter thumbnail to apply a new filter layer over the effect layer created in step 5. Adjust the filter controls and zoom in to check the results as you work. Apply additional filters as desired by repeating steps 5 and 6.

7. Explore Filter Combinations

Modify the filter controls and effect layer combinations to fine-tune the cumulative effect of the filters. Hide or reveal effect layers (click the eye icon next to the effect layer name), or change the order of the layers in the Effect Layer palette. Select an effect layer and change the filter controls to fine-tune the results. After the effect is complete, click OK to apply the results.