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In this tutorial, we're going to create some really
sharp-looking glow effects using a
combination of layer styles, the Pen Tool and Color Blending.
The end effect is quite
stunning and hopefully you'll pick up some tips you didn't know
before.
Step 1:
As with pretty much every tutorial I've ever written, we begin
with a radial gradient.
EFFECTS
Advanced Glow Effectsby Collis Ta'eed 15 Sep 2007 1127
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This one is pretty harsh and goes from a reddish brown color to
black. Here are the
exact color codes:
Foreground color - #922f00
Background color - #000000
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Step 2:
In this tutorial, we actually need a pretty intense center, so
what we'll do is duplicate
the layer we just made and set the one above to a blending mode
of Color Dodge.
There are a few types of blending modes, darkening ones,
lightening ones,
colorizing ones and inverting ones. Color Dodge is probably the
strongest of the
lightening ones. As you can see in the screenshot, it produces a
pretty full-on
center.
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Step 3:
Now in our glow effect, it helps to have a nice textured
background. So we are
going to create a sort of smoky haze. To do this, create a new
layer, then make
sure you have white, #ffffff, and black, #000000, selected as
your background and
foreground colors.
Then go to Filter > Render > Clouds. This will give you
the same random cloud
pattern as above.
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Step 4:
Now set the opacity of your layer to Overlay and 30%
transparency. In some
instances this would be enough, but for our needs we want it
even smokier looking!
So go to Filter > Sketch > Chrome and use default settings
of 4 and 7 for detail and
smoothness respectively. Actually you can probably mess around
with those if you
want, but the defaults seem to be fine.
When you're done, the result should look a lot smokier (once its
overlayed at 30%
transparency that is). You can see the result in the background
of the next
screenshot.
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Step 5:
Now before we can start making glows, we need to have something
to glow. Here's
where we break out the pen tool. If you have used the pen tool
much I suggest
playing around with it a little. There are some tricky things
you can do with
shortcuts, but for this tutorial you don't need those.
In fact all we want to achieve are some nice curves. Fortunately
this isn't too hard. I
find the trick is not to use too many points. Instead rely on
the Pen Tool's natural
curving and drag the mouse out for each point so you get a big
angle. In this S-
curve shown above, I've only used three points, the starting
point, the end point and
one in between to give it the bend.
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Step 6:
Once you have a nice curve, create a new layer. Then click on
the Paintbrush Tool
(B) and choose a very thin, hard brush. As you know, soft
brushes are the blurry
ones and hard brushes are more solid. In this case I suggest
using a thickness of 3.
Note that you can have any color selected as your brush color
because we'll go
over it with a layer style shortly.
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Step 7:
Now switch back to the Pen Tool. You must switch tools in order
to do this next bit.
Then right-click and select Stroke Path. A little dialog box
will appear as in the
screenshot. Choose Brush and make sure there is a tick next to
Simulate Pressure.
This is important as it will give your curve tapered ends which
will make it rock!
Next right click again and select Delete Path.
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Step 8:
You should now have something like the above. Just a thin, cool
swishy thing.
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Step 9:
Now we add some glows. The easiest way to make our glows is to
use layer styles.
And the best way to tell you what layer styles to use is to tell
you to download the
sample Photoshop PSD from the bottom of this page and then open
it up and look
through them there.
In a nutshell, I've added two sets of glows. To do this I first
use Outer Glow and
then because I want a second glow, I change the Drop Shadow
settings so that it
becomes a glow (you can do this by reducing the Distance and
changing the blend
mode to something like Color Dodge)
Oh and also I've used a Color Overlay to make the item white so
that its like the
center of an intense glow.
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Step 10:
So now you have the same line but with a cool glow coming off
it. The beauty of
using a layer style is that you can copy and paste it to other
layers. To do this you
just right-click the layer and select Copy Layer Style then
create a new layer and
right-click and choose Paste Layer Style.
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Step 11:
So now repeat the same process a couple of times to make more
squiggly lines.
In this instance, I made one a little thicker by changing the
paint brush size before I
did the Stroke Path bit of the process. I also made a third line
and erased part of it
and sorta made it join the other two to look like a cool
triangular shape.
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Step 12:
Here I've added some text in and applied the same layer style to
the text layers.
It's important to pay lots of care and attention to your text.
When you're first starting
out, use simple fonts and play with spacing between letters,
words and sizes. You
can achieve a lot with just some small tricks. Here I've
contrasted the three words
by making Glow a lot larger and in regular casing, then made
Advanced and FX
much smaller, with greater space between the letters and all
caps.
You can control spacing with text using the Character window. If
it isn't already open
go to Window > Character and it should appear. Mess about
with the different
settings until you learn what each controls.
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Step 13:
Now we add some particles. To do this, create a new layer then
select a tiny paint
brush - size 3 - and just paint some dots on. It helps if they
are clustered towards
the center of the glow so that it looks like they are emanating
from there.
You can make some of the central ones larger by doubling over on
them with a
second paint brush dab.
Then paste our Glow layer style on to that layer too!
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Step 14:
Now that's looking pretty cool, but it will look even cooler if
we give it some subtle
coloring instead of this super gaudy red.
So create a new layer, and using a radial gradient, draw a blue
to white gradient as
shown.
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Step 15:
Then set that layer to a blending mode of Color and change the
opacity to 50%.
You'll see that it turns the image kind of bluish. I think
that's looking much cooler
already, but just to go that extra step I also created a couple
of extra layers, one
with some faint yellow and one with faint purple. You can see
them in the
screenshot above.
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I set each layer to blending mode of Color and thin opacities so
that they all fade
together.
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Step 16:
And there you have it: advanced glow effects with a cool color
blend and subtle
smoky background combined make for a pretty great effect.
Just remember to experiment with settings and try applying the
glow to different
things to see how it turns out. And try different color
combinations, some surprising
combinations turn out really beautiful. Good luck!
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About Collis Ta'eed
Hi I'm Collis and I work at Envato makingawesome websites and
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Join the discussion
Reply
Sammy 4 years ago
I can't do the step 7. why?when I right click, i can't choose
the stroke path
15
Reply
akosiKapitanObyus 7 months ago> Sammy1. make sure it's a path
and not a shape.2. create new layer and then select it.3. select
pen tool and then right click the path
2
Reply
mark 6 months ago> akosiKapitanObyuswhere is the download
Photoshop PSD?
8
Ren Patel 2 years ago
Using CS6, glow effect isn't working well at all for me. It
shows as very shadowy rather than the clean ultra brightstrokes in
yours. Any ideas? I have tried copying and pasting your layer
styles from the download and it's no better.
It's ok, adjusted the brush opacity settings to 100%.
Recommend 6
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It's ok, adjusted the brush opacity settings to 100%.
11
Reply
Adam 3 years ago
I have "simulate pressure" ticked yet I do not get the tapered
edges. :S
6
Reply
euls 3 years ago> Adampress F5 > Click Shape Dynamics >
in Control choose Pen Pressure
7
Reply
AliNoorani 2 years ago> AdamI had the same problem in
CS6follow what euls said press F5 > Click Shape Dynamics > in
Control choose Pen PressureIf nothing happened (like in my case)
you should make sure that JITTER is set to a number rather than
0%the more you set the jitter number the more dramatic the curve
tapers
5
Reply
anh a year ago> AliNooranithanks
1
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Bob a year ago
Great, so, you're tutorial is to have me download a PSD file
...
Oh, and the download doesn't work either ... yeah, great.
4
Reply
CheyN Ngadino 2 years ago
I want a video ! -_-
4
Reply
Chase 4 months ago
Alot of major details missing, but i got it.
2
Reply
Mary Winkler 2 months agoMod > ChaseThank you so much for
sharing your result! You'll be featured in our upcoming "Created by
You" communityproject (published in April).
Reply
amy 4 years ago
my "stroke path" isnt working can any one tell how does it
work?
2
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mark 6 months ago
hi im at no. 9 now but i cant find the glow effects, where is
the download sample Photoshop PSD link? thanks!
1
Reply
mohammad 2 years ago
in step 4 it says go to filter>sketch>chrome. i went to
filter but there is no sketch, can someone help me pleae?thank you
:)
1
Reply
Venesh Privin 2 years ago> mohammadYou can use Filter Gallery
also.
1
Reply
Satyajit Sahu 2 years ago
This is such an awesome tutorial!
1
Reply
ing.var 2 years ago
woow thanks for tutorial, I esspecialy like those light effects,
but these I create in app called Flame Painter - mucheasier and
faster..and then I edit everything back in PS
1
Reply
Jackson Sandland 3 years ago
Wow! Thanks for posting this tutorial. It is phenomenal. What is
the name of the font? The link above is expired. So,we can't see
what the font is anymore. Thanks, Jackson
1
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Sudhir Yadav 13 days ago
Never seen a bad tutorial like this. A lot of steps are missing
and not clearly explained
Reply
didina 3 months ago
awsome now i will draw quickly this saved me unexpectedly i was
here for glow and learned how to use path thankyou kinde
ser!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Sunnyokapi 5 months ago
I can't get the gradient the way it's done here. It would be
nice to have that explained rather than just jumping in. Cananyone
help? When I do it it goes from the red to gray then black instead
of red gradually getting darker until black.
Reply
Sunnyokapi 5 months ago
How was the radial gradient done? Whenever I try it goes from
the red colour to grey then to black instead of straightto
black.
Reply
Anne 9 months ago
This is the worst tutorial I've ever seen... Sorry, but you
didn't explain anything important at all, there are so manythings I
didn't understand. For example Step 12: "Here I've added some text
in and applied the same layer style to thetext layers." - HOW
????
Lauren 2 years ago
This is great! I'm a beginner trying to learn some new
techniques and this was perfect. Thank you!
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This is great! I'm a beginner trying to learn some new
techniques and this was perfect. Thank you!
Reply
Guest 2 years ago
I was wondering if anyone can help me. I'm stuck on Step 7.
After creating a new layer (Step 6), I clicked on the Pentool, I
right clicked, but in the menu that popped up, the Stroke Path
option was greyed out. passed this step, what layer am I suppose to
be on, the new one I created on Step 6 or the one I drew the curve
on?
Reply
Venesh Privin 2 years ago> GuestDid you draw the curve.
Stroke path should come. after you did the curve. Goto
Window>Paths, you can seeWork Path, right click and stroke
path.(you can save it by double clicking the text "Work Path" and
naming itand pressing ok)
Reply
Jared Ye 2 years ago
thanks, really helpful
Reply
Alli Rossi 2 years ago
What is the canvas size that was used? Mine is coming out very
pix-elated, Thanks :)
Reply
Venesh Privin 2 years ago> Alli Rossithe bigger the canvas
the higher value you should add. example distance 3px dont work
well in big canvasyou should higher the value.
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Amidesigh 2 years ago
in the 7*th step i have only the white line (white was my colour
on the box) and in the 9*th step, i dont underestand what to do in
outer glow, you just showed the drop shadow :(... come on man:(
...
Reply
Venesh Privin 2 years ago> Amidesighfor outer glow try this
value: Blend mode-Screen; opacity:75%;color:# ff793b. *Elements
-Technique:softer;Spread:0%; Size:25px. Quality -Range:50%
Reply
nat 2 years ago
Just wanted to point out how great this tut is. Clear, detailed
and a wonderful effect. Most of the tutorials out there area real
mess, so well done.
Reply
ataur 2 years ago
nice tutorial for me
Reply
Ping 2 years ago
Thanks a lot :) Really informative
Reply
Mike 2 years ago
Beginner Alert - hey, can this be done in Illustrator CS2-4?
What would be different? Thanks so much for this post
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Marksz 2 years ago
Guys, simulate pressure, depends on the stats of your
brush..Draw your lines with pen, Press B, select a brushes that
flows at the sides, Press P, and press ENTER.. now itshould be
working
Reply
testdl.ir 2 years ago
tnx for this tutorial
Reply
Johanne 3 years ago
why are you so awesome. well explained. i would love to
subscribe or pay for your tutorials!!!
Reply
Akakasi Raymond 3 years ago
Thanks a lot... This tutorial helped in many ways! Cheers!
:)
Reply
Maaz Ahmed 3 years ago
Helpfull!! but my glow not u like is really yelloish:(
Reply
Mitul Gogoi 3 years ago
I just learned simulate pressure through this tutorial. This is
an awesome tutorial.
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Gary 3 years ago
Excellent tut - learnt a lot, thank you
Reply
Azzakura 3 years ago
This is awsome , thank you !!
Reply
Min Htin 3 years ago
Thank you !!so nice this site !!
Reply
esse 3 years ago
you need to go to your brushes window>brushes and turn on
shape dynamics.
Reply
saha 3 years ago
Amazing sharing. Every tutorial is very helpful and very well
explained. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
taran 3 years ago
its not working in 8th step i am trying to make glow stroke path
its not working
Daniel Miller 3 years ago
Thanks for this awesome tutorial!!!!!! I used it on my site
www.thewinstonshow.com it looks amazing you rock...I
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Thanks for this awesome tutorial!!!!!! I used it on my site
www.thewinstonshow.com it looks amazing you rock...Iwould have had
an ugly plain title, but thanks to you it looks really cool! :)
Reply
andrei 3 years ago
thanks alot:x
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