You can create some very interesting and unusual effects using the Texture Screening Filter, because unlike the Halftone Screening filter, it is completely customisable. The user defines the pattern to be used as the screen, and this can be useful for screening purposes as well as for creating design effects.
Essentially any file can be used as a texture screen, however it is recommended that the file be put into repeat prior to using it as a filter in order to avoid unsightly repeat joins. All files you wish to use as a texture screen should then be saved into the following location: Home user > Library > Application Support > AVA > Screens
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 Texture Screening… 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.
- The first time you use this filter, the Screens folder should be set in the folder locator under the Texture Screening dropdown menu. To do this, click on the word ‘Screens’ and select Choose… from the list which appears.
All files put into this folder will now appear in alphabetical order when you click on the disclosure triangle.
Activate the layer you wish to be screened, and select the relevant texture from the list. Use the Gamma Window to further adjust the effects of the filter.
In the snapshot below, the original data is on the left, and the filtered data is on the right.
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
Some of the filters do not work correctly across repeat joins when used in the normal way. Therefore it is important to follow this method to make sure the filter works correctly and doesn’t affect the join. Your design must repeat correctly before you do this.
- Open the design you wish to apply the filter to
- Open the Selections Palette from the Window Menu
- Press Offset Repeat. If you are not already viewing multiple repeats of your design, AVA will automatically put your design into s 2×2 repeat when you press this. A selection the size of a single repeat will appear in your file, offset to the first repeat.
- Activate the layer / image you want run the filter on.
- Open the Filter Browser.
- Apply your filter, and it will work correctly in repeat, with no obvious repeat joins.
Note: In the image above, the vertical line indicates the repeat join.