Using live filters

Live filters allow you to apply filter effects such as blurring, sharpening, noise and distortion non-destructively, meaning you can modify or remove the effects without having to use the History panel to undo other operations on your work.

Before
After
Using the Motion Blur live filter to imitate motion in the scene.

About live filters

Live filters provide a way of applying creative effects to your images whilst retaining the ability to modify the effect settings or remove the effect altogether. The filter is added to the active layer, similar to applying Adjustment Layers.

Once applied, they can be identified as both a filter and a specific live filter type by using unique symbols.

Live filter layer type
Perspective Live filter layer (named 01) indicating it is a filter (A) and a Perspective filter type (B).
Available live filters:
Live filters To create a new live filter:

Do one of the following:

To modify, merge or delete a live filter:
  1. On the Layers panel, double-click the live filter that you want to modify.
  2. Adjust the settings in the dialog; the changes will be applied in real time.
  3. Close the dialog to apply the changes, Merge to apply the changes and merge the adjustment with the layer beneath, or Delete to remove the filter layer entirely.
To move a live filter:

Do one of the following:

Erase Brush Tool Paint Brush Tool To mask a live filter:
  1. On the Layers panel, select the live filter.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • To 'erase' from the mask, paint with the Erase Brush Tool.
    • To 'restore' the mask, select the Paint Brush Tool and paint.
    • To apply a gradient mask, select the Gradient Tool from the Tools panel and drag across the layer. Adjust the gradient colors from the settings.

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