Post by MudBug on Dec 22, 2013 3:13:06 GMT
This was requested by Picasso, so here it is! I use Photoshop CS5 in this tutorial, but really any program with layer masks (which is a very common thing) could achieve the same effect. I hope I can make it understandable, and with the large screencaps I thought spoilers would be best. Sorry for the extra clicking. ^^;
Today we'll be making the image below!
Today we'll be making the image below!
Purdy, ain't it? Don't look too shabby on black either.
Anywho, the point is how I managed those starry edges looking so natural. It's far simpler than you would think, honestly.
We start with our basic colors and such. As you can see just some deep looking text on a gradient. The white is only there so we can see the stars as we go, since otherwise it's that photoshop transparency grid, and focusing on that just gives me a headache. lol
Anywho, the point is how I managed those starry edges looking so natural. It's far simpler than you would think, honestly.
We start with our basic colors and such. As you can see just some deep looking text on a gradient. The white is only there so we can see the stars as we go, since otherwise it's that photoshop transparency grid, and focusing on that just gives me a headache. lol
Now that we've got our foundation, let's try the obvious way. Erase that jazz! Of course you'll need some special brush. Well, not really. The one I used is just a PS built in, with the right settings.
Simply some scattering and spacing. Just play with those until you get the spread and general look you want. You could also use any normal or splatter brushes downloaded. Anything really. Want to use a basic round and put every last poka-dot on your edge? Go right ahead. But, as you can see, the lazy eraser man works the hardest...
Simply some scattering and spacing. Just play with those until you get the spread and general look you want. You could also use any normal or splatter brushes downloaded. Anything really. Want to use a basic round and put every last poka-dot on your edge? Go right ahead. But, as you can see, the lazy eraser man works the hardest...
Ok, so that doesn't look even close to right. So now what? You might think to just lay white on top and erase that, but then how do you get that sweet transparent background that'll blend on any page? Tricky huh? Not once you realize the miracle that is Layer Masks!
We're gonna select the layer with our gradient, and click the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the layers panel.
We're gonna select the layer with our gradient, and click the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the layers panel.
Now for a brief explanation on what layer masks really are. I avoided them for ages, but it's really simple. Think of it like an invisibility cloak over your layer, but you can control what it hides and what it doesn't. Want to see the whole thing? Keep it all white, want to hide the corners? Make the corners of the mask black. Change your mind? No harm done, just turn them back to white. All with the brush tool, which makes them fun... ;3
All that said, right now we've got a blank white mask, so let's change that. Fill that sucker in with black. Make sure you have THE MASK selected, not the layer content itself. Look close, you'll see a little edge around whichever you've selected.
All that said, right now we've got a blank white mask, so let's change that. Fill that sucker in with black. Make sure you have THE MASK selected, not the layer content itself. Look close, you'll see a little edge around whichever you've selected.
Alright, now let's select the Brush tool, NOT the eraser, and be sure to set your color to stark white. Remember those brush settings we covered earlier? Yep, let's go with those. Now, scribble on my friends! You can have some spots a bit denser in the center, just adjust your brush. Less scatter = denser coverage.
Now after you've got it as exposed as you'd like, you might have a couple hard edges. Just go back over those with the brush as a small size and in black, they'll disappear as easily as they showed up.
Now after you've got it as exposed as you'd like, you might have a couple hard edges. Just go back over those with the brush as a small size and in black, they'll disappear as easily as they showed up.
We're pretty much done now! Just crop it down to size, delete that white background, and I edited my text a tad. My final set of layers before the PNG looked just like this...
Viola! Be sure to save as .png! This is the only way you'll keep that transparency. I'm sure most reading this already know that, but just to make sure I cover everything. lol
And once again, the final product...
And once again, the final product...
Hope you enjoyed this, and if you've got any questions feel free to ask here or by PM. ^^;
Also, I uploaded the PSD of the last layers so you can play around with that, if you'd like.
linky dink
Happy arting!
Also, I uploaded the PSD of the last layers so you can play around with that, if you'd like.
linky dink
Happy arting!
