When working within Adobe Photoshop CS3, Color Efex Pro can be applied as a Smart Filter. Smart Filters enable you to adjust the filter's settings even after the filter interface has been closed. If saving the file as a PSD or layered TIFF, you can even adjust the filter settings after the image and Photoshop have been closed, enabling a non-destructive workflow.

When working as a Smart Filter, the Brush button is disabled, and the filter will be applied to the active layer (even if the After Clicking OK setting is set to the Separate Layer option).

Using Color Efex Pro as a Smart Filter

Filter MenuTo use Color Efex Pro as a Smart Filter, follow the steps below:
  1. Select the layer in the Layers Palette to apply Color Efex Pro.
  2. Click the Filter menu.
  3. Select Convert for Smart Filters.
  4. Select the Filter menu again.
  5. Roll over the Nik Software sub-menu. A popup menu appears.
  6. Select Color Efex Pro 3.0.
Note: Color Efex Pro can only work as a Smart Filter with Adobe Photoshop CS3 as the host.

Note: Perform any rotations or transforms to the image prior to applying Color Efex Pro as a Smart Filter. Applying a rotation or transform after applying Color Efex Pro as a Smart Filter can result in a different filter effect.
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