This is great filter for adding extra texture to your design, especially if you are looking to develop a soft mottled effect. It works by replacing all data in your active layer with a cloudy appearance, therefore we recommending adding a new layer to your document to apply this filter to.
Instructions
- Open the Filter Browser, and add a new filter set using the small + icon located in the middle of the browser. This will create a new ‘untitled’ filter set for you. This will appear in the top section of the Filter Browser. If you already have filter sets created, clicking the + button will duplicate the selected filter set.
- Select Clouds... from the list of available filters in the lower section of the Filter Browser
- Double click on the name of the new filter set in the top section of the browser, and name it appropriately
- Edit the variables to achieve the result you need
- Seed - produces a reference number so that effects can be reproduced
- New Texture - randomly creates new texture effects
- Across Scale - increase the horizontal effect of the filter
- Down scale - increase the vertical effect of the filter
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Granularity - applies a subtle contrast to the texture
Note: Applying the filter over several layers, using different variables for each layer, can help you to create interesting textures.
Applying the filter
There are several ways to apply a filter:
- Click Apply - this will apply the filter to the active layer(s), and within a selection if there is one present in your file
- Click Make Layer - this will make a new layer in your file containing the filtered effect, leaving the original layer untouched
- Apply the filter using the Brush Tool - when you have finished building your filter set, simply close the Filter Browser. Then, open the Brushes Library, and select the filter you have just made from the drop down menu shown in the snapshot below. You can now paint with your filter.
Note: The default setting for the Brush Tool is ‘Brush”, located at the top of this drop down menu. To prevent you from becoming confused between the default setting and a filter setting, do not name any filters ‘Brush’. When you have finished painting with your filter, set the drop down menu back to the Brush setting, otherwise the Brush Tool may not behave as you would expect later on.
Applying the filter over a repeat join
Due to the nature of the filter, it does not repeat well over repeat joins but this is very easy to resolve using the Brush Tool.
- Apply the filter using one of the methods describes in the previous tab
- Open the Brushes Library and select the Clouds Filter
- Select a feathered brush and paint over the repeat joins with the Brush Tool until you have disguised the repeat join.
Note: In the image above, the vertical line indicates the repeat join.