Smoke

Using two modes, Smoke simulates anything from pyroclastic eruptions to gentle wisps emerging from the end of a gun barrel. You can control the direction of the smoke, its color, how high it rises and much more.

### Basic Tab

Create Output on New Layer Above Current

Creates a layer above the working layer (in Photoshop and Elements only) and renders the effect to it. This feature allows you to view, edit, or turn off the effect without affecting the original layer.

If you switch filters from within a filter window, the new layer feature will be disabled in the filter you’ve switched to. If you want to apply a filter in a new layer, make sure you start with the filter you plan to apply.

Create Output In New Layer Above Current is unavailble when recording actions in Photoshop. Clear this checkbox when recording actions.

#### Smoke Type

• Wispy—Creates tendrils of smoke, like a cigarette in an ashtray.

• Billowing—Renders puffy clouds—like the emissions from a smokestack in Elizabeth, New Jersey or a forest fire.

Left: Wispy. Right: Billowing.

Smoke Direction

Controls the direction in which the smoke column travels. Click and drag within the control box to change the direction, or enter a value between 0 and 360 degrees.

Column Length

Controls the length of the smoke column.

Puff Size

In Wispy mode, Puff Size controls the average width of the tendrils forming the smoke column. Larger values yield wider individual wisps.

Left to right: Increasing Wispy Puff Size.

In Billowing mode, Puff Size controls the average size of the puffy clouds that form the smoke.

Left to right: Increasing Billowing Puff Size.

Expansion

Controls the growth of the column into a V-shape. High values widen the V.

Waver

Controls the amount of meandering in the smoke column. Higher values increase the twisting. Low values render smoke that travels along a linear path.

Roughness

Controls the smoothness of the smoke. High values render turbulent smoke.

Left to right: Increasing Roughness.

Overall Opacity

Controls the transparency of the entire smoke column. High values make a more visible smoke column.

Layered Smoke

Select this option to render a second layer of smoke in front of the original.

Left: Non-layered. Right: Layered Smoke selected.

Start From Bottom

Select this option to cover the entire selection with smoke.

Mask Selection

Select this option to make the effect appear to rise from the back of the selection.

Random Seed

Controls the random elements of this filter. Click it until you get a result you like.

### Color and Lighting Tab

Smoke Color

Tints the smoke any color. For more information on color selection, see Color Selection Tools.

Soot

Darkens the edges of the smoke and adds contrast to the effect.

Light Direction

Controls the direction from which the light falls on the smoke. Click and drag within the lighting control box to change the direction, or enter a value between 0 and 360 degrees.

Light Strength

Boosts the intensity of the light source. It’s like increasing the wattage of a light bulb.

Light Color

Tints the light source. You can make smoke in the red light district. For more information on color selection, see Color Selection Tools.