How to Create Special Effects in Photoshop CS3

Photoshop CS3 offers an expansive set of tools and commands that can provide dramatic special effects to an image. Play around with the different effects by starting with some of the basics. You can then research other effect options that will help you achieve the desired look.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Photoshop CS3
• Digital image

1. Create a simple gradient (used frequently as a background) by applying a layer style to an existing layer. Create a rectangle for use in applying the gradient. Make sure you set your base color for the gradient. In the layers palette, choose the layer effect icon and select "Gradient Overlay." Change the blend mode to "Multiply," reduce the opacity to about 40 percent and then click "Ok." Edit your gradient anytime by double-clicking the effect icon next to the layer name.
2. Give the photo a classic sepia effect by selecting a new fill and adjustment layer. Select hue/saturation and click on the colorize button. Adjust the hue until you find a rich sepia brown and lower the saturation to about 18. This will allow you to quickly adjust the color by double clicking the adjustment layer.
3. Add a drop shadow to your image to give it depth. Make sure you have three layers. The background should be on the bottom and the image should be on the top. The drop shadow will be placed on the middle layer. Select the image. This is accomplished by clicking on the top layer and choosing "select all" followed by pressing the up, then the down arrow. This selection should be saved as a new channel. Select black as the foreground color for the middle layer and use your arrow keys to move the image over and down until it is to your liking.
4. Add roundness to a shape by selecting the layer you want to round. To do so, hold down the CTRL key as you click on the layer. Enter quick mask mode by pressing "Q." Choose "Filter" then "Blur" then "Gaussian Blur." Choose 6 pixels. The pixel number affects the radius of the corners. Set the contrast ("Image" then "Adjust" then "Brightness/Contrast") to about 94 percent. You can change the brightness to your liking. Press "Q" once more to exit the mask mode, then hit "ALT+Backspace." This will cause the foreground to fill in the background. Once this happens, you can delete your original layer.
5. Add smoke, fog or mist effects to your image with the cloud effect. Create a new layer above your image in Photoshop. Set the foreground color to black and the background color to white. In the filter menu, choose "Render" and then "Clouds." The clouds should cover the entire image area. To blend the effect with your image, click and hold the styles icon (scripted f) on the layers palette and choose "Blending Options." Adjust the top slider that appears to make the black in the effects layer dissolve. Hold the "Option/ALT" key and click near the left triangle in that same slider. When the triangle splits, move the right side to the right. Reduce the opacity of the clouds by clicking the mask icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Make sure your foreground color is black and use a brush to paint away the clouds that you do not want.
6. Warp text by selecting the text you want to apply the effect to and choosing the warp tool on the menu. The tool looks like a "T" sitting on a hill. The warp text box will come up and offer options in style, bend ratio and distortion. Play with the options until your text is warped to your liking.
7. Make a rectangle (or any object) appear glassy by drawing a white shape (the highlight layer) that is shorter than the base rectangle. You can fade out the bottom part of the highlight layer by adding a layer mask, and then scale down the opacity level to get the glassy effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit Adobe for additional special effects that can be utilized in Photoshop CS3 with the use of filters (see Resources below).
• Photoshop Roadmap offers examples and detailed instructions for 80 text effects that can be used in Photoshop (see Resources below).

Who Can Help:

• Find Computer, Electrical and Telephone Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Electrical Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.