How to Photoshop a Jigsaw Puzzle Texture

This tutorial is about using the Adobe Photoshop software to transform your picture into a puzzle-look-a-like image. The result is unique, realistic, and will surprise most everyone if they didn't know the picture was photoshop-ed. For product/industrial designers, you can use this tutorial to predesign for your actual puzzle product. Photoshop jigsaw puzzle texture effect instructions >>

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and newer
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• A high-resolution image

1. Start by opening an image that you want transform into a "mock" jigsaw puzzle. On the top Photoshop menu bar, click on "Filter". On the filter list, select "Texturizer".

2. 
    
   Select Load Texture

   Select "Load Texture" on the drop-down list, in the main texturizer menu window.

3. 
    
   The Textures folder

   Selecting the "Load Texture" choice will bring you to browse through your hard drive, allowing you to import a premade/presaved texture into the current Photoshop texture window.
   
   So browse to, and click on your Adobe Photoshop "Textures" folder on your hard disk. After opening the "Textures" folder, you will see there are many other textures currently not loaded on your Photoshop. Find and select a file called "Puzzle.psd"; the puzzle texture. It should have been installed with the original Photoshop software. Clicking the file will import the puzzle texture to Photoshop. On a side note: This "Textures" folder is also where you'd save your custom made and/or downloaded add-on textures for Photoshop. Next time if you can't find your newly made/downloaded textures in the Photoshop "Texture" filter, you can use Steps 2 and 3 to load them.
   
   If you don't have that file, jump to Step 7 for an alternative method.

4. 
    
   Adjust settings

   Adjust your image with the settings to get the result you want to achieve, after the "puzzle texture" import. Experiment using the
   "Scaling", "Relief", "Light Direction" in the main texturizer control window. You might have to spend some time on this as there are countless effects you can get, before you decide on that "one" result.

5. 
    
   Final Photoshop imitation puzzle

   This is a zoom-in view on a part of the "jigsaw puzzle" in the article introduction image, which is the final result of the puzzle lines on the image for this tutorial. You will notice that a puzzle piece is being intentionally removed from its slot (click to enlarge image to see the detail). If you want to created a piece like this, use the "Polygonal Lasso" tool and trace the edges of that piece, then use the "Move" tool and drag that piece to anywhere you want it placed. The "Polygonal Lasso" and "Move" tools are on your tool box.

6. 
    
   Puzzle graphic for the Internet

   You can create images like this with the Step 5 instructions, for your graphic work, e.g. a web page banner/advertisement. Skip to Step 8 if you've made your "puzzle" with the "Puzzle.psd" texturizer.

7. Go to Filter > Texture > Mosaic Tiles, if you don't have the file "Puzzle.psd" installed with the original Photoshop program. Use the settings on the "Mosaic Tiles" dialog window to achieve the result you want. The result using the "Mosaic Tiles" to create puzzle texture is primitive and not as realistic comparing to that "Puzzle.psd".

8. Save your Photoshop "jigsaw puzzle" before closing the program. You can next use the puzzle image for wallpaper, postcard/greeting cards, web page and such.

Tips & Warnings

• Maybe bring your "puzzle" file to a print shop and ask for an enlargement. Then have the print shop print it on a cardboard, frame it with glass on top and hang it on a wall. You can then "impress" your friends claiming that you "assembled" that "puzzle"!