Quick links to procedures on this page:
Dynamic plug-ins allow you to apply effects to images without altering the original image. For example, you can add a burnt effect to the edge of an image or increase the image brightness. The Dynamic plug-ins are accessible from the Layers panel.
When you apply an effect using a dynamic plug-in, a dynamic layer is automatically generated in the document. Like all floating objects, dynamic layers appear in the layer list in the Layers panel, where they are identified by the plug icon 
. You can select, move, group, hide, show, and lock dynamic layers, as well as change their display order, opacity, and composite method, as you would with other layers. For more information, see Layers.
The steps for applying dynamic plug-ins vary slightly depending on which dynamic plug-in you choose. For most dynamic plug-ins, you can apply the effect to:
If you apply the effect to a selection, the dynamic layer conforms to the dimensions and location of the selection. If you apply the effect to the canvas, the dynamic layer is the same size as the canvas. For a few dynamic plug-ins, such as Kaleidoscope, you can specify the size of the new layer before you create it. For more information, see Applying the Kaleidoscope dynamic plug-in.
When you save the file in RIFF format, the dynamic layer retains its dynamic nature. Therefore, if you plan on modifying the dynamic layer in the future, you should save the file to RIFF.
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In the Layers panel, click the Dynamic Plug-ins button  to display a list of dynamic plug-ins. |
Layers.