Is it possible to apply non-destructive blurring on a layer?

Is there a way to add a non-destructive "real-time" blur effect to an image? In other words, one that I can turn on or off anytime, or adjust the level of blur several times during production?

On Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:54:52 -0500, "Adam" wrote:

Is there a way to add a non-destructive "real-time" blur effect to an image? In other words, one that I can turn on or off anytime, or adjust the level of blur several times during production?

Yes, but you first need to convert your original image to a 'Smart Object'. Go to the layers pallet, right-click on the image, and select 'Convert to Smart Object'.

You can then apply ALMOST all of the filters non-destructively.

For some reason, Lens Blur seems to be an exception and can not be done non-destructively. Also, Stylize / Wind seems to be unavailable.

But all other filters can be applied non-destructively.

Gary

Adam wrote:

Is there a way to add a non-destructive "real-time" blur effect to an image? In other words, one that I can turn on or off anytime, or adjust the level of blur several times during production?

If you have Photoshop CS2 or lower: no. If you have Photoshop CS3 or higher: Use Gaussian Blur as a Smart Filter.

--
Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.com

In article <gkl1t1$s31$ says...>

Is there a way to add a non-destructive "real-time" blur effect to an image? In other words, one that I can turn on or off anytime, or adjust the level of blur several times during production?

1) Duplicate the layer you wish to blur
2) Applying the blurring effect of your choice
3) Apply layer mask to blurred layer if desired to get blurring only where it is wanted
4) Adjusting the opacity of the blurred layer as you wish

Has worked for me!
--
Ian Riches
Bedford, UK

Ian Riches wrote:

In article <gkl1t1$s31$ says...>

Is there a way to add a non-destructive "real-time" blur effect to an image? In other words, one that I can turn on or off anytime, or adjust the level of blur several times during production?

1) Duplicate the layer you wish to blur
2) Applying the blurring effect of your choice
3) Apply layer mask to blurred layer if desired to get blurring only where it is wanted
4) Adjusting the opacity of the blurred layer as you wish
Has worked for me!

Yep, that is the only way in pre-CS3, but it's certainly not the same as a smart filter and doesn't really do what the OP asks. Blurring a layer with say 10 pixels and then setting the opacity to 10%, is quite a bit different from changing the blurring of a smart layer from 10 pixels to 1 pixel.

--
Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.com

In article <1itlde8.1qhdy0u19y81fcN%>,
says...>

Ian Riches wrote:

In article <gkl1t1$s31$ says...>

Is there a way to add a non-destructive "real-time" blur effect to an image? In other words, one that I can turn on or off anytime, or adjust the level of blur several times during production?

1) Duplicate the layer you wish to blur
2) Applying the blurring effect of your choice
3) Apply layer mask to blurred layer if desired to get blurring only where it is wanted
4) Adjusting the opacity of the blurred layer as you wish
Has worked for me!

Yep, that is the only way in pre-CS3, but it's certainly not the same as a smart filter and doesn't really do what the OP asks. Blurring a layer with say 10 pixels and then setting the opacity to 10%, is quite a bit different from changing the blurring of a smart layer from 10 pixels to 1 pixel.

Agreed - but you can always delete the blur layer and recreate it at a different blur level. Not as good as a smart layer - but a lot cheaper if you don't already have CS3 or CS4!

--
Ian Riches
Bedford, UK