What are filters? How do I use them?		Photoshop: Filters Photoshop has a wide range of filters that you can use to add special effects to your images. To use a filter: 1) Select the layer to apply the filter to. 2) Pull down the Filter menu. The menu consists of a list of filter types you can choose from. 3) Each menu selection (see picture to the left) represents a family of filters; each has a fly-out menu that allows you to select the specific filter you want. For example, below is the Distort fly-out, listing all of the possible distortion effects you can choose from: Point to the desired filter family and click on the specific filter in the fly-out menu. 4) If the filter you specified needs input from you in order to fine-tune the effect, a dialog box will appear, prompting you for your preferences. When you are satisfied, click the OK button.
	Can I see some examples?		To give you an idea of what filters can do, theRender and Distort filter families are listed below. Most are linked to a before-and-after example of the filter. Just click on a filter to view the example:
			As you can see, there are many filters that you can apply to your image. Keep in mind that you can also use a combination of filters on the same image to obtain a desired effect. Also remember that you do not have to apply a filter to your entire image; you can select an area and apply the filter to that selection only.