Apply and remove filters

Filters are applied to image layers (still images, video clips, shapes, and so on) or groups in the Canvas, Layers list, or Timeline. An applied filter appears in the Layers list nested underneath its target layer or group. When applied to a group, a filter affects all layers inside the group.

Important: Some filters can cause a group to be rasterized. When a group is rasterized, it’s converted into a bitmap image. In 2D groups, the application of any filter causes rasterization. In 3D groups, the application of specific filters causes rasterization. For more information on rasterization, see Filters and rasterization.

Apply a filter

Do one of the following:

Drag a filter from the Library stack to a layer or group in the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas.
Select a layer or group in the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas, then select a filter from the Library stack and click Apply in the preview area.
Select a layer or group in the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas, then click the Add Filter pop-up menu in the toolbar and choose a category and filter type.

The filter is applied to an image layer or to a group.

Note: Although you can apply a filter from the Library to another effects object in the Layers list (a behavior or another filter), the filter affects the parent image layer (or all layers in a group, if the filter was applied to a group), not the effects object.

Apply multiple filters to a layer

When you apply multiple filters to a layer, they have a cumulative effect. In the Layers list and Timeline, multiple filters appear nested under the layer or group they’re applied to.

Layers list showing filters applied to an object

Do one of the following:

Select an image layer or group in the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas; select multiple filters in the Library; then click Apply.
Tip: Shift-click to select multiple contiguous filters. Command-click to select multiple noncontiguous filters.
Select multiple filters in the Library, then drag them onto an image layer or group in the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas.

The filters are applied to the image layer in the order they’re selected. For example, if you select Echo, Brightness, and Bevel, in that order, then apply them to a layer, their stacking order in the Layers list is Bevel above Brightness above Echo. The stacking order of filters determines the result of the composite effect.

Remove a filter from the Layers list or Timeline

In the Layers list or Timeline, select a filter that’s been applied to a layer or group, then do one of the following:
- Choose Edit > Delete (or press Delete).
- Choose Edit > Cut (or press Command-X).
- Control-click the filter and choose Cut or Delete from the shortcut menu.

The filter is removed from the project.

Remove a filter from the Filters Inspector

Select a filter in the Filters Inspector and do one of the following:
- Choose Edit > Delete (or press Delete).
- Choose Edit > Cut (or press Command-X).

Apply a filter to a cropped image

In Motion, cropping is always applied after a filter is applied. To apply a crop before a filter, do one of the following:

Select an image or video clip in the Media list (in the Project pane), crop the image using the Crop sliders in the Media Inspector, then apply the filter to the layer in the Layers list.
In the Layers list, select the cropped layer, choose Object > Group (or press Shift-Command-G), then apply the filter to the layer.

For more information about cropping, see Crop a layer.