Apply a filter from the Filter menu

You can apply a filter to the active layer, or to a Smart Object. Filters applied to a Smart Object are nondestructive and can be readjusted at any time.

Do one of the following:
- To apply a filter to an entire layer, make sure the layer is active or selected.
- To apply a filter to an area of a layer, select that area.
- To apply a filter nondestructively so you can change your filter settings later, select the Smart Object that contains the image content you want to filter.
Choose a filter from the submenus in the Filter menu.
If no dialog box appears, the filter effect is applied.
If a dialog box or the Filter Gallery appears, enter values or select options, and then click OK.

Applying filters to large images can be time consuming, but you can preview the effect in the filter dialog box. Drag in the preview window to center a specific area of the image. In some filters, you can click in the image to center it where you click. Click the + or – button under the preview window to zoom in or out.