Tracking filter steps

[johnjj]

Hi all

Is there a way to follow the steps that happen when I choose a particular filter so I could make it by myself?
I use the 'plastic wrap' filter but I want to change several components that are made automatically and I do not want all of them.
thanks.

(Basically I take white lines on a black background and use the 'Plastic warp' filter, it thickens the lines and changes the texture and that's good for me - but it adds a bright spot behind the lines, which I do not want because I need it in a separate layer).

 

[colleague]

you can brush with black on the unwanted parts
or
you can use a mask on your layer to hide unwanted parts
but then your background has to be black

 

[johnjj]

Thanks mate. I have many symbols that I import from Illustrator, and then I turn the lines to white and the background to black, and use 'Plastic warp' because I'm happy with the result of the lines, but the problem is that I want to control the size and the color of the illuminated spot at the background which is impossible. The question is, whether there is a way to know what exactly does the filter so I could do it myself.

 

[Tom Mann]

Although I haven't specifically tried to find the code or even a detailed description of the algorithms used in the various filters, I've never seen it, and I doubt Adobe would release their code. This is the only way to tell exactly how each filter achieves its effect, and thereby reconstruct it yourself from the individual steps.

Tom M

 

[IamSam]

One thing you might consider is creating the effect yourself.

Minus the highlights, which you could add later, you can make an ACTION that would closely 'mimic' the effect that can be applied to any white line or symbol. Then you can add another layer mimicking the size, color, and placement of the illuminated spot.

Line...


Layer style.....


Soft BG glow and line expansion....


Black contrasting BG......


Then you could add your highlights separately, because they would all be different, and illumination in any size, color, or position you desired.



Just an idea.

 

[colleague]

it's easy to get rid of the bright spot
if you enlarge the canvas and place your lines all to the left
and after using the filter just crop

and you can make an action with these steps to speed it up

 

[johnjj]

thanks all,
I have not yet found the right solution. When I change the white lines and then add background I do not reach the outcome of the filter. (I don't know Photoshop so well) And if I place the lines at the side before filter it - it is the closest solution but it missing some bright line around the shape that had been added if it was at the center…

see at the corners there is a shine light only at the triangle at the center



finely I want to control the size of the light behind the symbol, the color and place. I'v got many symbols to make like this and they are different from each other.

 

[IamSam]

thanks all,
I have not yet found the right solution. When I change the white lines and then add background I do not reach the outcome of the filter. (I don't know Photoshop so well) And if I place the lines at the side before filter it - it is the closest solution but it missing some bright line around the shape that had been added if it was at the center…

see at the corners there is a shine light only at the triangle at the center.

finely I want to control the size of the light behind the symbol, the color and place. I'v got many symbols to make like this and they are different from each other.

Yes, everything I suggested in post #5 will give you exactly what you want.