Lens Flare Allways unselectable? 6

[emkemner]

What are the prerquisites for using lens flare? Everytime i want to use it im not able to. For some reason its allways greyed out?

 

[pixl8r]

Must be in RGB mode and must be on a layer than contains something. A lens flare can't be rendered on an empty layer.

 

[blueark]

As an aside, if you want to render a lens flare on its own layer, here's a little trick:

1: Go to Layer > New > Layer... (don't use the shortcut button on the layer palette, as it doesn't bring up the options dialog)

2: Change the mode to "Overlay"

3: Check "Fill with Overlay-neutral color (50% gray)" and click OK.

You can now render a lens flare on this new layer. It also works with several other filters too, but as pixl8r points out, you must be careful with what color mode you use.

 

[pixl8r]

Nice trick blueark! Didn't know that one. A star for you.

 

[blueark]

Thanks for that. I'm always using it to add a bit of noise over a layered image, or even adding something from the Filter > Texture menu. Anything that saves me from having to flatten the image can't be bad!

 

[emkemner]

Thank you both very much. I'm constantly working in cmyk mode and never even thought about needing to be in rgb. Star for you both...

 

[mscallisto]

Nice trick Blueark...plus the Layer Thumbnail, when doubleclicked, gives you the chance to make further adjustments to opacities etc.

 

[blueark]

As a follow up, you can Alt/Option click the new layer button in the palette to get the New Layer dialog. Might save a few seconds!

Also, if the lens flare isn't strong enough, just duplicate its layer. Using along with mscallisto's tip, you can really exercise great control over it.