Photoshop Pointillize Filter Tutorial
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Photoshop pointillize filter, a powerful dot / grain / abstract design creation tool. How to use it with layers, how to use with shapes, tiles, channels and more. Combine it in 1000s of ways.
** Youtube video tutorial on how to use the awesome pointillize filter effect in Photoshop to create all kinds of amazing pixel effects such as grains and color dot designs and more **
1. Where is the Pointillize filter in Photoshop
The pointillize filter can be found in the filter menu and Pixelate category.
2. Pointillize filter settings
There is only one setting and that is cell size. Keep it low for a grain like effect or set it to the max for chunky color dots based on the color in the image.
The pointillize filter also uses the background color as the background color behind the dots. You can change the background color to black or white or green etc via the toolbar and background color and then the pointillize image will end up lighter or darker or greener or black etc.
3. Multiple applies of the Pointillize filter
You can apply the filter multiple times.
4. Fade Pointillize filter
You can also fade the Photoshop pointillize filter effect via the edit menu and fade command and opacity / blending modes can be added
5. Use the filter with layers in Photoshop and combine with blending etc
You can also use the pointillize filter with layers as well as with smart objects and you can blend the layers with blending modes etc. You can also combine the pointillize effect with other filters.
6. Selections and the pointillize filter
You can also use the effect with selections, you can use the rectangular marquee etc as well as selection tools via the select menu such as color range. You can then use the selections as a great source of transparency which can be used with layer styles etc to add bevels as well as drop shadows and more
7. Pointillize filter with patterns
The pointillize filter in Photoshop can also be used with view menu and pattern preview even though the pattern preview will show an error.
8. Combine the pointillize filter with other filters
You can apply the filters such as the twirl filter and then the pointillize to create an interesting twirl dot effect. You can also apply the filters the other way around with the pointillize first followed by twirl filter or the maximum filter or glass etc
9. Pointillize with actions
The filter can also be recorded. Select an image and then go to the window menu and actions and then go to the record button on the panel and record the steps of the pointillize filter along with other filters such as the cutout filter etc and then stop the recording. This action can then be played back at any time
9. Use with shapes
You can select any shape and turn the design into a smart filter and then use the pointillize filter on that or if you wish, you can use the layer menu and rasterize on the shape (any shape) and then apply the effect