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What is a Neural Filter?

A comprehensive guide to understanding, applying, and mastering Neural Filter in video editing with Filmora
James Hogan
by Video Tech Expert
updated Jun 25, 25
In this article
    1. Let's Break Down the Technical Side of Neural Filters
    1. Real-World Applications for Neural Filters
    2. What Are the Limitations and Challenges of Neural Filters?
    3. What is the Future of Photoshop Neural Filters
    1. A Step-by-Step Guide to Using the AI Image Stylizer in Filmora
    2. Filmora Has a Lot More AI Features

Understanding Neural Filter

If you are new to video and image editing, you are probably a bit overwhelmed with the sheer number of things that you need to learn. There are so many techniques and terms that it can be hard to wrap your head around. Luckily, we have understood this issue and have found a way to solve it. We will post a series of texts that tackle video editing terminology so that you can have your very own video editing encyclopedia.

Today's topic is neural filters. Let's see what they are, how they work, and how to use them in your own video and image editing efforts.

Whenever you use an AI tool to snap a selfie with a funny filter, remove a background from a photo, or colorize old black-and-white photos, you are using a neural filter to achieve that effect.

example image of neural filters photoshop
Definition

A neural filter is an AI-powered tool that can apply realistic edits to images and videos using deep learning models. These models were trained using huge datasets, and because of that, this type of AI tool has become very versatile. You can use it for facial retouching, changing your age, changing the style of the image, changing the background, and all this with a few clicks.

It works much better for images than it does for videos, but it's getting there. Let's check the technical side and see what makes them work.

Although it is very easy to use and might seem simple on the surface, this technology is very difficult to develop. Let's examine what it takes to make AI-generated animated videos work.

Let's Break Down the Technical Side of Neural Filters

Neural filters are complex algorithms that require a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to create. Let's examine this technology in detail.

The Core Technologies Used in Neural Filters

Almost all neural filters, similar to those in Photoshop, use Generative Adversarial and Convolutional Neural Networks (GANs and CNNs) to analyze edges, textures, and facial features and replace them with different artistic styles while preserving the structure. To that end, they use Style Transfer Models that can convert images based on different artistic styles, from the Renaissance to the Modern era.

The Key Innovations Introduced with Neural Filters

Neural filters are complex systems, and researchers have made several innovations while working on them. Here are the most important ones.

Users can achieve complex editing tasks with a push of a single button.

Style transfers are realistic, and this has improved the Blending feature in editing software.

The changes are non-destructive, and you can always revert to the original.

The Current State of Neural Filters

Neural filters are currently mostly used in photo editing and manipulation. The most popular neural filters are found in Photoshop, but they are also present in one form or another in every reputable image editing tool. Current Neural Filter AI models already have huge datasets they can use to train and improve, and they are slowly but surely becoming a must-have tool in any app that promotes AI image editing.

The first part of this guide focused on the theory behind neural filters. Let's examine the other side and review some practical applications.

When and Where to Use AI-Generated Videos?

Let's review some real-world applications, some challenges and limitations, and a look into the future of neural filters in Photoshop and other tools.

Real-World Applications for AI Videos

Here are three instances where neural filters can help a lot.

 example ai image of retouched portrait
Portrait Retouching
You cannot be ready to take the perfect selfie every time you pick up your camera. There are instances where the photo simply didn't turn out right. In these cases, you can use photo retouching to remove blemishes and pimples, add makeup, change the scene, remove objects, and brush up the photo to make it perfect for posting on social media. Make yourself look perfect, because why not?
example colorized black and white photo
Black-and-White Photo Colorization
If you are working on a damaged or very old photo, neural filters can help you fill in the missing portions of the image, add colors, improve the resolution, and revitalize the photo for the modern era. If you have old family photos from generations ago, you can use this technique to brush them up and create a fully colorized, modern family photo album that goes back generations.
image style change ai example photo
Changing the Style of the Photo
Neural filters can transform a photo from one style to another completely. Let's assume that you have a selfie by the beach and want to see what it would look like if Leonardo Da Vinci painted a portrait of you. You can simply pick a Renaissance style and watch your photo transform from a simple selfie to a work of art that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with art you see at the museum.

Of course, this technology is still improving, so there are a few things we can note that are not perfect.

What Are the Limitations And Challenges of Neural Filters?

All developing technologies encounter issues. That's how developers learn what's wrong, and they can use the information to work on and resolve the issue. Here are the three most common problems with neural filters.

Overprocessing and Uncanny Results
If the neural filter has too much work to do, or rather, if you are trying to brush up a photo that is too damaged, the AI will try to resolve all issues. In doing so, it will overpopulate the image with new data that does not fit the original context of the photo, leading to unnatural results.
Misinterpreting the Context
Again, we have to mention the context of a photo. Even with simple edits, if the AI system is not trained properly, it will misinterpret the context of the photo or prompt and perform an action that is diametrically different from the user's intention, leading to unsatisfactory results.
Online Dependancy
Since these systems are very complex, they require a lot of computing power, which leads developers to use cloud technology to perform most of the computation on the server itself. However, this means that these features are available only when you have an online connection, which is not ideal.

All these issues are normal, and the future will show when and how they will be overcome.

What is the Future of Photoshop Neural Filters?

Neural filters will be used in video content in the future. A video is simply a long series of images, so if neural filters work on images, they will eventually work flawlessly in videos as well. They are even currently used for this type of task, but they are far from achieving their full potential. Also, we can expect that they will become faster and more accurate.

That's it for neural filters in the real world today and in the future. Now, let's hop onto the most exciting part. Check out our easy neural filter practical tutorial.

How to Use Neural Filters?

If you are yet to pick a video and image editing tool, you cannot go wrong with Filmora. This powerful tool is packed with easy image, audio, and video editing features, offering a smooth editing experience, dozens of helpful AI tools, thousands of creative assets, and a well-designed, seamless interface.

Filmora uses neural filters in several AI tools, but the best way to see them in action is to try Filmora's AI Image Stylizer feature. You can pick from several styles that are drastically different from one another. That's the best thing about Filmora. Whichever feature you discover, you will realise that there are so many customization options and templates that the only logical conclusion would be that Filmora is a top choice.

Let's see how it works.

Filmora
AI Video Editing App & Software
Try It Free Try It Free
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Scan to get the Filmora App
Best tool for making videos anywhere for all creators!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Filmora's AI Image Stylizer in Filmora

Follow the steps below to use Filmora's AI Image Stylizer to transform a photo into something cute, fantastical, or even scary.

Step 1
Download Filmora on your PC or laptop (Windows and Mac), open it, and create a New Project.
Step 2
Find the Import button and import a photo that you would like to edit. Then, simply drag the photo to the timeline.
Step 3
Click on the photo in the timeline to select it. Then, go to Image > AI Tools, and activate the AI Image Stylizer. From there, you just have to pick a style. We mentioned the Renaissance a few times in this text, so we went with that style. As soon as you click, the AI process will begin, and after a few seconds, the style of the photo will change.
create a new project filmora desktop
drag photo to timeline filmora desktop
use ai image stylizer filmora desktop

Take a look at this comparison photo to fully see how beautiful the new image is.

ai image stylizer comparison photo filmora

The new image really looks like it was painted by a Renaissance artist, which is very exciting. And, if you thought that the excitement stops there, you would be wrong. We can introduce many more creative AI features that you can use in Filmora.

Filmora Has a Lot More AI Features

Follow this guide to use the AI Idea to Video feature in Filmora.

Use the AI Image Feature to Generate Images from Text Prompts
Filmora's AI Image Feature is a very simple-to-use image generator. You add a text prompt, pick an image style and aspect ratio, and hit the Generate button. In a few moments, you will get not one, but four images that fit the desired prompt.
Transform Photos to Videos with AI Image to Video
This neat AI feature works like magic. You pick a transformation template from an extensive list of options, upload a photo, and watch it transform into a video. For example, you can upload a photo and create a video where you see your hairstyle change.
Create a Full Video from a Text Prompt with the AI Idea to Video Features
This is one of the newest additions to Filmora's AI Toolkit. This feature combines everything from writing AI scripts and generating images from prompts to converting those images into videos. You simply write an idea, and Filmora will generate a video from it.

We have only just scratched the surface of what Filmora can do in this neural filter explainer article. Download Filmora today and see how easy it is to become a video and image editor when you have such an easy tool by your side.

Filmora
AI Video Editing App & Software
Try It Free Try It Free
qrcode-img
Scan to get the Filmora App
Best tool for making videos anywhere for all creators!

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