PhotoPlus X2 User Guide - Serif

122 Image Adjustments and Effects
You'll notice that Bump Maps and Pattern Maps come in two varieties: "2D" and
"3D." Don't confuse these with the "2D layer effects" (like Drop Shadow). The mapbased
effects are all three-dimensional effects—the distinction in name has to do
with how each one achieves its result. Here’s the difference: With the "3D" Bump
Maps and Pattern Maps, you first pick a mathematical function. With the "2D
map" variants, you begin by selecting a bitmap from a gallery. The function-based
maps include data about the interior of the "space," while the bitmap-based maps
describe only surface characteristics.
You’ll see this distinction more clearly if you experiment with depth maps, as
covered in Using depth maps (see p. 145). Depth maps create extra depth to your
image, by adding an extra channel (storing Z-axis or depth information). As a
result, contoured surfaces are possible which are exposed by applied 3D layer
effects.
Using the Filter Gallery
The Filter Gallery offers a one-stop shop for applying single or multiple filter
effects. The gallery hosts sets of filter thumbnails which are categorized into
different effect categories (e.g., Distort, Blur, Sharpen, Edge, Noise, Render, etc.).
Thumbnails are shown in expandable categories (see Distort filter effects below);
each thumbnail is a sample of your currently active image with the relevant filter
effect applied.