How to Add Photoshop Filters

Last Updated: January 29, 2023

Photoshop filters are plug-ins that can be used with the Adobe Photoshop software to add visual effects to images. Some filters that are usually pre-installed include Sharpen, Blur and Distort, however you can download many new filters from various websites. After you add Photoshop filters correctly, you should be able to see them in the Photoshop Filters menu within the list containing the filters that were already pre-installed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Downloading Filters

1
Download filters from the Internet using websites that provide download links. Some websites offer downloads for free while others can charge quite high prices or specialize in a specific visual theme.
- Smashing Magazine: this online magazine has an article with a long list of free Photoshop plug-ins and filters that are listed in alphabetical order.
- Speckyboy: the Speckyboy design magazine has a rated download list, which it considers to be a list of the 25 best free Photoshop plug-ins and filters.
- Tripwire Magazine: the Design tab in the online Tripwire magazine has an article with over 200 download links for Photoshop filters and other image enhancement elements.
- Auto FX Software: the Auto FX Software website sells filters that can be bundled for package prices. The costs for some of the filters can be quite high but they are considered to be of very high quality, so purchases are seriously considered at times by professionals and companies dealing with visual arts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Installing Filters

1
Save the filters that you like onto your computer using the download links provided on the website of your choice.
2
Go to the folder where you saved the downloaded filter, right-click on its icon and select "Copy" from the pop-up menu.
3
Browse to the "Plug-ins" or "Plugins" folder associated with Photoshop. This is the folder where you need to add Photoshop filters. You should be able to find the folder using the following steps.
- Access your primary hard drive through My Computer. The primary hard drive is the same drive in which your operating system is stored (the drive letter is usually "C").
- Open the "Program Files" folder.
- Double-click into the "Adobe" folder.
- View the contents of the "Photoshop" folder by double-clicking on it. You should see a folder labeled "Plugins" or "Plug-ins."
4
Paste the filter into the filter folder by opening it, right-clicking and selecting "Paste."

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Applying Filters to Images

1
Run the Adobe Photoshop software or restart it if you already had it running.
2
Open the image that you want to apply the filter to.
3
Select "Filters" from the top menu. You should see a list of filters that includes the newly installed filters as well as the pre-installed ones (newer filters usually appear at the bottom of the list).
4
Click on the filter that you want to apply to the image. This will apply the visual effects associated with the filter to the image (for example, if you select "Retro-Vintage" it will make your image look like an old photograph).