Fade function after using a Photoshop Filter

[CharlesBell]

Picked this up while reading a new book on astronomical image processing:

Immediately after using any of PhotoShop CS2 filters, you can go the Edit menu and select Fade ... to fine tune the application of that filter and get very precise results. The idea is to apply a bit too heavy and then fade it to get it just right. This could be used when some factor in a filter tool is too coarse and you want finer control.

[CJ Swartz]

Charles -- that is a very good point.

You can also do it in Photoshop version 7 (and I'm sure in CS and the new CS3).
Another neat thing is you can choose a blending method (similar list as in layer blending modes) for the effect when you fade it -- one useful one is luminosity as it can eliminate color from an effect you applied that is unwanted.

[Swampy]

Although it will still probably be an option in the edit menu, CS3's smart filters will give you more flexibility. With "fade" you have one shot. With smart filters you can go back weeks later and adjust a filter application or even delete it altogether.

[joey florio]

You can also run the filter on a copy of the layer - then you have blending, opacity (fade) and mask available for future tweaking.
The fade command is always gone before I ever think about it.