This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Using the History Brush
It’s often useful to use the History Brush to apply a filter effect to specific areas of your image. You can use this technique if you want to retouch a particular part or simply to apply some localized special effects.
Using the History Brush
Before you can use the History Brush, you first have to apply a filter effect and then create a snapshot. In this example, the Poster Edges filter is applied.
- To create a snapshot, click the Create new snapshot icon at the bottom of the History palette.
- The new snapshot appears at the top of the History palette. It’s good practice to give it a name, so you can remember what it represents.
Select the History Brush Tool in the toolbox.
To paint in the filter effect with the History Brush, click the box beside the snapshot to set the source for the History Brush. You also need to go back a step to Open so that you’re working on the image before the filter was applied.
In the History Brush Toolbar that appears at the top of the screen when you select the History Brush, you can choose your Brush type, blending mode, and Opacity. In this example, a Hard Round brush is used with Normal blending mode and 100% Opacity.
- Now you’re ready to paint in the filter effect over the parts of the image to which you wish to apply it.
In this image, the filter was painted in over the left half of the flower using the History Brush.
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Using Different Brushes with the History Brush
You can create some very interesting effects using the History Brush in conjunction with other brushes available in Photoshop and a different blending mode.
In this example, the Reticulation Filter is applied, a snapshot created (see right), and the History Brush selected.
From the default brushes, select the Round Blunt Medium Stiff brush.
Go to Window > Brush to bring up the brush settings. In the Bristle Qualities section, change the settings for the brush to add more Bristles (100%) and Stiffness (100%).
- Select the Vivid Light blending mode, and then draw lines horizontally across the image using the brush.
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ORIGINAL IMAGE
THE FINAL IMAGE
