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Applying filters and filter effects


    To use a filter or filter effect, choose the appropriate submenu command from the Filter or Effect menu. The last filter or filter effect chosen appears at the top of the menu.

    The commands in the top part of the menu can be applied to vector images, with the exception of Pen and Ink > Photo Crosshatch. The commands in the bottom part of the menu can be applied to bitmap images, but not to 1-bit (black-and-white) images. All the bitmap filters and filter effects work on RGB and grayscale images. The following filters and filter effects do not work with CMYK images: Artistic, Brush Strokes, Distort, Sketch, Stylize, Texture, and Video.

    Some commands let you preview the result before applying the command. Because applying a filter or filter effect--especially to large bitmap images--can be time-consuming, use the Preview box to save time and prevent unintended results.

    Note: Some bitmap images take more memory to process. Make sure Illustrator has enough RAM allocated for performing tasks and for the scratch disk--temporary disk space used to work with bitmap images.

To apply a filter or filter effect:

  1. Do one of the following:
  2. If a dialog box appears, enter values or select options.
  3. To preview the result with the filter's preview box, do either of the following:
    • Drag in the image window to center a specific area of the bitmap image in the preview box.
    • Move the cursor inside the preview box to activate the hand tool to see part of the image that is not visible. Drag to see the bitmap image. Use the + or - button under the preview box to zoom in or zoom out of the preview. A flashing line beneath the preview size indicates that Illustrator is still rendering the preview.
  4. Click OK to apply the filter.
  5. When a filter or filter effect takes some time to be applied, you see a progress dialog box that indicates the time remaining until the filter is applied.