Photoshop Tutorials

Sick of the loading interface? Learn how to make rich loading interface with blending modes, gradients, and tons of layers.

Download out of Internet the same texture, like the next one, having 1280x1024 px and 72 dpi.



Press CTRL+SHIFT+U



Set the next parameters for the above downloaded texture’s layer by making a mouse click on the layer we work with in the layers’ panel: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Next we shall use the Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U) to represent the primary layer of an abstract element:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow



Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:


Blending Options>Stroke





Next try to represent a circle, colored with #565656. It’s necessary to use for the beginning the Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U) to represent the outside edges and then press Alt button to cut out the inside element’s part, applying the same tool.



The layer’s parameters: Blending mode-Lighten
Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss





Using the already known Ellipse Tool (U), try to create the next layer, belonging to the same element:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:



Blending Options>Stroke




Use the last applied tool to represent the next layer, belonging to the same abstract element we want to get finally:



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:



Blending Options>Stroke



Gradient’s parameters:





Select the Rectangle Tool (U) for the next step to draw a vertical black stripe, crossing the central part of the colored circle:


Make twenty - three copies of this last made layer and select Free Transform option to turn the copies around their axes on a certain angle:





Combine in a group all the layers containing the black lines (press Ctrl button to mark out the corresponding layers and hold on the left mouse’s button to take the accentuated layers on Create a new group selection). Apply the next indicated parameters for the new group: Opacity 20%



Make a copy of the last made group containing the black lines. We need to get back the Opacity option on 100% on the copied group, erasing on the copy all the lines, except those shown below:



Select the Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U) to represent the next layer of the abstract element on the central part of the colored circle:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:



Blending Options>Stroke




Try to make one more circle, choosing the same Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U). Firstly we’ll represent the outside edges of this circle and then when pressing Alt button, applying the mentioned tool, it’s possible to cut out the middle part of the circle and after that cut out one more part of the same circle, like it is represented below:



The layer’s parameters: Fill 20%
Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Use the Pen Tool (P)

Pen Tool (P). allows you to make lines that change colour and shapes on the project.'); return false">Pen Tool (P), for drawing the next layer of the abstract figure. Its shape may be corrected with the Convert Point Tool.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:



Blending Options>Stroke


Gradient’s parameters:





Select once again the Pen Tool (P)

Pen Tool (P). allows you to make lines that change colour and shapes on the project.'); return false">Pen Tool (P) to picture a highlight of white color which shape is possible to correct with the Convert Point Tool.



Choose the next demonstrated parameters for the layer: Fill 20%



Select the same Pen Tool (P) to create a triangle which shape must be corrected with the Convert Point Tool.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:



Blending Options>Stroke




Applying the earlier chosen instruments (Pen Tool (U) and Convert Point Tool), it is possible to draw another highlight of white color:



Set the next parameters for the last made layer: Fill 17%



Now we shall use the Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U) to draw a highlight of white color. Next there will be used the Add Anchior Point Tool to insert a top on the bottom part, as it is shown next image and then make the appropriate corrections the same way from below:



The layer’s parameters: Fill 20%



Create a new file (File>New) of 4x4 px and 72 dpi. We shall use on it the Pencil Tool (B)

Pencil Tool (B). To use the pencil tool, simply select it from the toolbar by depressing the pencil tool icon. When you do so, you can draw on the canvas. Try it out. And don\'t forget to modify your brush size, roundness, angle, etc ...'); return false">Pencil Tool (B) (brush 1 px) to represent the same pattern from next picture of white color.



Edit>Define Pattern
Next step includes using the Ellipse Tool (U) on a new layer (Create new layer) on which must be inserted the last made pattern.



The layer’s parameters: Opacity 20%, Fill 0%
Blending Options>Pattern Overlay





The loading interface is finished!

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a nice looking military wallpaper.

Create a new file (File>New), having 1280x1024 px and 72 dpi.

Choose the Rectangle Tool (U) to draw the background of the picture we want to get on the final stage:



Select the next parameters for the new made layer by making a mouse click on the processed layer on the layers’ panel: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Select now the Custom Shape Tool (U)

Custom Shape Tool (U). You use the shape tools to draw lines, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and ellipses in an image. In Photoshop, you can also draw polygons and create custom shape libraries to reuse and share custom shapes.
'); return false">Custom Shape Tool (U) for drawing several rays colored with #595D35. Choose the appropriate pattern from the table demonstrated next picture.





Use the last applied tool to draw a small star. Select the Convert Point Tool to represent the inside tops of the element. After that we shall use the Free Transform option to narrow them uniformly.





The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow




Make a mouse click on the same layer on the layers panel, choosing Drop Shadow option and then select Create layer option. The shadow will be represented on a separate layer.



Create a new layer that will be situated above the shadow’s layer (on the layers’ panel). After that, select the Paint Bucket Tool (G)

Paint Bucket Tool (G). The Paint Bucket tool fills adjacent pixels that are similar in color value to the pixels you click.'); return false">Paint Bucket Tool (G) to paint it in white color. Press CTRL button to mark out the shadow’s layers and the white one, merging them together (CTRL+E). Apply for the merged layers a new option: Filter>Pixelate>Color Halftone





Mark out the white background, using Magic Wand Tool (W) and press Delete button.



Now we shall choose Lock transparent pixels option by making a mouse click on the same layer we work with on the layers’ panel.



Select a standard brush to paint the shadow with the color #334110





Get back to the star’s layer:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow


Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss (Contour)



Blending Options>Satin



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Make a copy of the star’s layer and select Free Transform option to make the copy smaller, changing also the layer’s parameters. The layer’s color in this case is #DD2A2B



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Stroke




Apply again the earlier chosen instrument – Custom Shape Tool (U)

Custom Shape Tool (U). You use the shape tools to draw lines, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and ellipses in an image. In Photoshop, you can also draw polygons and create custom shape libraries to reuse and share custom shapes.
'); return false">Custom Shape Tool (U) to represent the rays on the star. The rays’ color is #A60A07





Press Alt button and make a mouse click between the rays’ layers and the star’s upper layer for the rays to be applied in the star’s limits.





Make a copy of the earlier made layer with the red star and place it above the other layers on the layers’ panel. Select also for the copy Delete Anchior Point Tool to erase on the bottom part several tops. The Convert Point Tool will be helpful in making right corrections on the element’s shape:



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Select now the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U)

Rounded Rectangle Tool (U). To reshape the corners of a rounded rectangle, select the rounded rectangle tool and select the rectangle. Extra selection handles appear inside the rectangle corners. Dragging an inside handle toward the center of the rectangle to make it more rounded; drag it toward the outside of the rectangle to make it less rounded.'); return false">Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) (radius 30 px) to insert the text’s selection table. This layer should be situated under the layers belonging to the star and its shadow (on the layers’ panel). The color of the selection is white.


The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow





Now we shall make the same operations we’ve made for the star’s shadow (I mean dividing the layers, merging together the shadow’s layer with the white one, applying the filter, erasing the white background on the shadow’s layer and painting out the shadow). This shadow’s color is the same with the star’s shadow.



Get back to the text’s inscription:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Inner Shadow



Blending Options>Outer Glow



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss (Contour)



Blending Options>Satin


Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Insert the text next step. This layer should be placed above the table’s selection, but lower than the star’s layers and its shadow (on the layers’ panel).





The layer’s panel: Blending Options>Inner Shadow



Blending Options>Outer Glow





Choose the Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U) to represent a highlight. This layer should be placed lower than the star’s layers and its shadow (on the layers’ panel).



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay


Gradient’s parameters:





Select on this stage the Ellipse Tool (U)

Ellipse Tool (U). Use the ellipse tool to draw ovals and circles. To draw a circle, hold down the Shift key while dragging. Double-click the ellipse tool to open the Color inspector.'); return false">Ellipse Tool (U) to draw a kind of rivet, colored with #8B8B8B, placing it the same way shown below:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss (Contour)





Make a copy of the last made layer and choose Free Transform option to place the copy, like it is indicated below:



Next we shall use a standard brush of white color to draw a kind of frame, like the one demonstrated next picture:



Natural Brushes



Take the Eraser Tool (E)

Eraser Tool (E). The Eraser tool changes pixels in the image as you drag through them. If you\'re working in the background or in a layer with transparency locked, the pixels change to the background color; otherwise, the pixels are erased to transparency. You can also use the eraser to return the affected area to a state selected in the History palette.'); return false">Eraser Tool (E) to clean out the picture’s edges, applying the same brush:



The picture is finished!

Learn to create an awesome universe by your hands! This tutorial will show you how to use some cool tools in Photoshop, step by step



Step 1: Create a new 800x800 pixels document. Press D and X to reset your foreground and background colors. We will create the universe first, so use the Gradient Tool (G) with Foreground to Background and Diamond Gradient settings

draw a line from the center to the corner like this

Step 2: Go to Filter > Distort > Twirl and twirl it with a big angle:

Step 3: Duplicate the Background by pressing Ctrl-J. Now we are on the Layer 1. Go to Edit > Transform > Perspective and drag 2 points on the top down

After finished, click on the Move Tool to leave the Perspective mode. A dialog box will appear, click Apply. Congratulations, you have just created the universe!

Step 4: Hide the Background layer by clicking on the Eye icon on the left.

Now we need some planets! We can create one with Photoshop but it will take a long time to do, so we use an available photo. Here is the one I recommend:

Copy this image and paste it onto our current document and you have:

Step 5: Change the blend mode of the current layer to Screen to remove its black areas

If you still see its border then use the Eraser Tool (E) with a soft brush to delete it

After this step we will have:

Step 6: Use the Marquee Tool (M) to select each planet and use the Move Tool (V) to move it to a more suitable place

Repeat this step until we have a nice universe filled with nice planets ^_^

Step 7: Press Ctrl-D to make sure we don't select anything. Now click on the Layer 1 in the Layers tab to select it (Layer 1 is the layer contains the universe). Press Ctrl-U to open up the Hue/Saturation dialog box, make sure to click on the Colorize checkbox and use these settings:

See our universe changed to blue, right? Next we will decorate our universe a bit

Step 8: Choose the Brush Tool (B) and click on the Brushes icon on the right, click on the Brush Tip Shape and choose a star shape

Make sure to tick on the Shape Dynamics and Scattering checkboxes as well

Step 9: Create a new layer and use the Pen Tool (P) to make a rough "curve" with some clicks

Right click and choose Stroke Path, a dialog box will appear. Make sure to tick on the Simulate Pressure checkbox

Note: The Simulate Pressure effect will make our line thin at the two ends and thick at the middle

See something beautiful? Something like this:

Repeat this step with other curves to make a wonderful universe. It doesn't take much time to get the result!

You can stop at this step. But we can make our universe more real by adding some stars with just a few simple steps. If you want to know how, continue reading...

Step 10: Create a new layer, notice that this is the top layer. Press Ctrl-Backspace to fill it with black because this is our background color

Step 11: Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and use these settings:

Change its blending mode to Screen. Go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold and set a Threshold Level of 147 and ...finished! Here is the final result:

This tutorial requires pretty much work to achieve the final result but you should focus on the way how these tools are used, not the way how it is created