The Filter Browser is an integrated window, allowing you to create and store different combinations of filters. These can range from creative filters to production process simulations to textures.
The possibilities are endless when you use the Filter Browser alongside our Palette technology. You can access the browser either from the Layer Menu or from your customisable toolbar.
To open the Filter Browser go to the Layer Menu > Filter Browser. Alternatively you can add shortcut for it to the toolbar of your Design Window.
The Filter Browser has three parts: a filter set list at the top; a filter settings area in the middle; and a preview and application part at the bottom. The size of the whole window can be adjusted by dragging the bottom right corner of the window, and the size of the top and middle sections can be adjusted by dragging the handle which is positioned between them.
Note: Each filter is explained in full in its own article. Simply do a search on the filter name to find the relevant article and learn what each of its settings does.
How to create filter sets
Alternatively, you can click the + icon to the right of this menu. Both options add a new filter set to the browser called Untitled:
Changes to the settings will be previewed in the Design Window in real time.
Note: Some changes may take longer to preview than others.
You can add multiple filter effects together to produce unique results. For example, if we wanted to add a Blur to the Kaleidoscope effect above, we simply need to click the + icon near the bottom of the window:
When this button is clicked, the present filter will be duplicated:
Use the dropdown menu to select your next filter. In this case it would be Blur Gaussian:
Adjust the settings of each of the filters contained within the filter set until you achieve the effect you want in the design.
DeleteNaming filter sets
When you are happy with the results, you should name the filter set by double clicking on the work Untitled in the top part of the window. We recommend you've the filter set a name which reflects to effect it creates:
Naming the filter sets is important because these names also appear in the Brushes Library where you can paint with the filters, and apply the effects in a subtle way to specific areas as opposed to the whole file or within a selection.
DeleteSwapping the order of filters within a filter set
The order of the filters within a filter set will alter the overall effect. If you want to change the order in which they are applied, use the arrows located to the left of each filter. 
Applying the filter to your design
If there are no selections in your design the filter will be applied to the active layer(s) over the whole design. If there is a selection in the file, the effect will only be applied inside this selection on the active layer(s).
Note: Some filters only work on layers, and some only work on image layers.
To apply the filter effect to the file, use the New Layer or Apply buttons in the bottom right hand corner of the window:
- New Layer - will apply the effect to a new layer in the Layers Palette
- Apply - will apply the effect to the active layer(s)
Saving specific filter settings to a Palette
Palettes are a great way of saving a selections of filter settings to use in other files. The settings can be added as a new Palette Button or they can be added to existing Palette Buttons which results in a combination of actions which can be later applied to other designs at the click of a button.
- Go to File Menu > New > Palette.
- Click on the filter set you want to add to a Palette.
- Drag the setting handler located at the bottom right of the window to the Palette. This will create a button.
- Once the filter is added to a button in a Palette, you can edit the filter further by clicking on the icon to the right of the action:
- To apply this filter to any design, simply click on your newly created button.
Troubleshooting
Why is my Filter Browser empty?
The Filter Browser is empty when AVA is installed on new systems because the idea behind our Filter Browser is the user creates the filters themselves using the New Filter Set option in the Action Menu. You can also Save and Load your filters from one computer to another using the same menu.
