To conclude the project, you’ll apply two different styles of filters to the leaves and dandelion images. Because there are so many different filters for creating special effects, the best way to learn about them is to try out different filters and filter options. ImageReady supports the same filters that areincluded with Photoshop.
To save time when trying various filters, experiment on a small, representative part of your image or on a low-resolution copy. |
Improving performance with filtersSome filter effects can be memory-intensive, especially when applied to a high-resolution image. You can use these techniques to improve performance:
If you plan to print to a grayscale printer, convert a copy of the image to grayscale before applying filters. However, applying a filter to a color image and then converting to grayscale may not have the same effect as applying the filter to a grayscale version of the image. |
The Accented Edges filter exaggerates the margins between areas with different colors. You can adjust the extent of the exaggeration by changing the edge brightness control, but in this procedure, you’ll use a Fade command to mute the results.
1. | In the Layers palette, select theLeaves layer. Make sure that you select the layer itself and not the adjustment layer.
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2. | |
3. | Choose Edit > Fade Accented Edges. |
4. | In the Fade dialog box, drag the Opacity slider to 60%; then click OK. |
5. | Save your work. |
Note
The Fade command settings determine how the modified pixels in the selection appear in relation to the original pixels. The blending modes in the Fade dialog box are a subset of those available in the painting and editing tools Options palette.
Using filtersTo use a filter, choose the appropriate submenu command from the Filter menu. These guidelines can help you in choosing filters:
–From Adobe Photoshop 7.0 online Help |
Next, you’ll use the ZigZag filter to create the impression that you’re viewing the reflection of a dandelion on the surface of a rippled pool of water.
1. | In the Layers palette, select the Dandelion layer. |
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4. | Choose Edit > Deselect, and save your work. |
Using filter shortcutsTry any of these techniques to help save time when working with filters:
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Before you apply a filter to the final image, the sand, you’ll load and combine the two selections you made earlier of the individual pears. By applying these selections to a different part of the image, you can create interesting and unusual results.
1. | Choose Select > Load Selection. |
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3. | Repeat step 2, but this time select Left Pear as the Channel and select the Add to Selection check box under Operation. Click OK. Now both pears are selected. |
When you combine selections as you’ve just done, small unselected gaps can remain between the two loaded selections. In this task, you’ll review the selection and repair any holes that may be there.
Leave the selection active for the next procedure.
The next phase of your job is a simple task: moving the selection to another area of the image. This sets the stage for the final work, creating a different effect in the shape of the pears.
1. | In the toolbox, click the Standard Mode button (), or press Q. |
2. | Double-click the zoom tool () so that the entire image fits in the image window. |
3. | In the toolbox, select the rectangular marquee tool (). |
4. | Move the pointer inside the pear selection and then drag the selection marquee (not the pear images) into the lower right quadrant, centering it over the sand image. If you want to move the selection at exactly a 45° angle, start dragging and then hold down Shift.
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Be careful not to deselect yet because you’ll need this selection for the next procedure.
In this task, you’ll use your selection and some layer styles to create the illusion of a cutout in the sand image. Make sure that your combined pears-shaped selection is still active. If you have accidentally deselected, you’ll have to start this process over, beginning with “Combining selections” on page 380.
1. | In the Layers palette, click the Sand layer to make it the target layer. | ||
2. | Choose Layer > New > Layer via Copy to create a new layer above the original Sand layer, based on your combined selection. The new layer automatically becomes the active layer in the Layers palette, and the pears-shaped marquee disappears.
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3. | At the bottom of the Layers palette, click the Add A Layer Style button () and then select Pattern Overlay from the pop-up menu.
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4. | Drag the Layer Style dialog box aside, as needed, so that you can see both the dialog box and the image window. Notice the long, narrow arrow button to the right of the Pattern display near the center of the dialog box. | ||
5. | Click the Pattern arrow to open the pattern picker, which displays small thumbnails of an assortment of patterns. | ||
6. | Click the small arrow button in the upper right area of the pattern picker to open the menu, and select Load Patterns.
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8. | Select the pattern thumbnail you added in step 7. The pattern replaces the default pattern inside your pears selection. At this point, you can drag the pattern in the image window to adjust the area of the pattern that appears in the selection—even without closing the Layer Style dialog box. | ||
9. | On the left side of the Layer Style dialog box, under Styles, select Inner Shadow to add that effect to the selection, and adjust the Inner Shadow options on the right side of the dialog box. (The example uses the default settings for Blend Mode, Opacity, and Angle, but uses 13 for Distance and 10 for Size.) You can continue to experiment with other Styles and settings until you create results that you think are interesting. | ||
10. | When you are satisfied with the results, click OK, and then save your work. |
You have completed Lesson 12.
For detailed information on individual filters and a gallery of examples, see “Using filters” in Photoshop 7.0 online Help. |
This concludes this lesson. On your own, you can try out other filters to see how you can add different effects to your images.
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