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Step 1
Start with a winter scene for your backdrop. It should already have snow on the ground to create a context for your snowfall. Add additional layers for a deer, trees or sleigh (maybe even a yard Santa) to add depth to your scene.
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Step 2
Open a new document to create your snow. Make it at least twice as high as your winter scene. Fill the canvas with snow. You can import snowflakes from other files or paint directly onto the canvas. Vary the brush size from 2 to 6 pixels and the brush softness as you add strokes.
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Step 3
Convert the image layer to a smart object (Layers palette options menu). Hold the "Command/Control" key and click in the layer thumbnail to select the white pixels and apply the Noise filer at a 1 or 2 percent setting. Overlay the Gaussian Blur filter with a radius of 0.5 pixels. Duplicate the layer back into your animation scene.
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Step 4
Set the animation palette to "Frames" mode and click on the "Duplicate Frame" button. Select the new "Frame 2" and position the snow layer so the top of the snowfall is even with the top of the document. Position the layer in the first frame to wherever you want the snowfall to begin. When the layers are in position, click the tween button and insert 10 or more frames.
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Step 5
Switch to the timeline before adding frames if you have CS3 extended. Open the snow layer and click on the Position property. Set the layer to the snow's starting position. Drag the playback head to the last frame and drag the layer into the snow's final position (a new diamond will appear to indicate the frame has changed).
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Step 6
Play your animation. You can also change the snow layer's opacity and effects (such as gradient or color overlays) in the animation.
