For a More Professional Look!
Now that you've mastered implementing the Machine Wash Filters to your images, here are some advanced techniques you can use to create a wider variety of effects with these filters.
Advanced Filter Scaling
After you've selected the filter to apply to your image, you can choose to scale the filter to the exact size of your active image or simply continue to enlarge the filter beyond the image canvas area to apply a larger more detailed portion of the filter to wash your image with.
To preview more of the filter variations on your image, start by expanding the canvas size of your image before applying the filter action. Run the filter action and scale the filter to fill the entire enlarged canvas size.
Next, unlink the layer mask on the completed layer by clicking the link icon between the active image and the mask layer and select the layer mask on the right hand side. Reposition the mask using the Move Tool from the Tools palette to preview various areas of the applied filter over your active image before cropping your canvas size back down to its original size.
Advanced Filter Orientation
Once the filter action has completed its cycle, you can chage the orientation of the filter on the active image. Start by unlinking the layer mask on the completed layer by clicking the link icon between the active image and the mask layer and select the layer mask on the right hand side. Next, flip the mask vertically, horizontally, or simply rotate the mask in 90 to 180 degree increments using the Transform option under the Edit menu.
Advanced Filter Strength Control
After your filter action is completed, should you desire a stronger or weaker filter impression, you can adjust filter strength with several built-in tools within Photoshop. Start by unlinking the layer mask on the completed layer by clicking the link icon between the active image and the mask layer and select the layer mask on the right hand side.
In the main menu under Image > Adjust(ments), use the Brightness/Contrast function to change the overall intensity of the filter, or use the Levels function to manipulate the lights, midtones, and darks of the applied mask.
Advanced Filter Inversion
Depending on the heaviness and tone of the distress, you can inverse
the layer mask, and create new distress effects. Start by unlinking the layer mask on the completed layer by clicking the link icon between the active image and the mask layer and select the layer mask on the right hand side.
Then, in the main menu under Image > Adjust(ments), use the Invert function to reverse the effect of the filter. (Not all Machine Wash Filters work well in this manner, but some do.)
Advanced Double Filtering
If you are looking to add even more filters to your design, you can choose to combine filter effects to create a totally unique look. To begin, we'll need to merge the active image with its layer mask. Start by selecting the layer mask and in the main menu, click on Layer > Remove Layer Mask > Apply and your active image will be merged with the filter effect applied.
Please note once you've merged the image filter effect, it can not be undone. We recommed you duplicate the layer before you perform this function.
Next, simply run your desired Machine Wash Action as usual and behold the results!
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