Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual

Adding Effects

Like filters, effects give you loads of ways to really change the appearance of your photo—from adding green slime textures to adding classy picture frames. Although you apply effects with a simple double-click of your mouse, these clicks actually trigger a sequence of changes that Elements applies to your image. Some of the effects involve many complex steps, although you can't always see every step happening onscreen. Sometimes you can see how busy Elements is, though. Try one of the 3-D frame effects, and you'll see Elements scurry around, doing things like adding canvas, cropping, or trimming.

Note

You can't usually customize or change an effect's settings. Effects are typically an all-or-nothing deal. For example, if you use the Wood Frame effect, you either take the wood frame Elements wants to apply to your image, or you don't. No need to ask if you can adjust the wood grain finish. You can't.

You apply effects from the Styles and Effects palette (choose Windows → Styles and Effects; then from the palette's left side pull-down menu, select Effects).

As with filters, the effects are grouped into categories—frames, image effects, textures, and text effects. Just as with filters, use the right menu on the Styles and Effects palette to see all your choices, or pick from only one category. The thumbnail images give you a preview of what the effect will do to your image.

Note

Effects don't get their own menu the way filters do. The only way to apply them is from the Styles ...