Aurora Borealis – North-South Polar Lights
August 25th, 2008 by ART-D Posted in Adobe Photoshop, Designing
Learn in this tutorial how to make a nice looking aurora borealis.
For the beginning let’s create a new file (File>New) of 1600×1200 px and 72 dpi. Using the Paint Bucket Tool (G), fill the new file with black color.
Next we need to select the Gradients Tool (G) and fill the new file from its top to the bottom with a transparent gradient.
Choose on the top panel the same option, demonstrated below:
After that enter the filters’ palette Filter>Distort>Wave… and set the next indicated parameters:
We’ll get the next result…
Using the Rectangle Tool (U), try to stretch out the rectangle on the whole canvas. Next select on this layer Blending Options>Gradient Overlay, by making a click on this layer on the layer’s palette and choose the appropriate selections.
Gradient Editor are also indicated there.
You need to get the same thing from below:
On the same layer we must set the next shown option, chosen out of the layers’ palette.
On this stage, we have to press Alt button while making a mouse click between the gradient’s layers and the layer containing the rays. In this case the layers should be put over.
After that, mark out both layers on the layers’ palette and press Ctrl+E to Merge Down.
Then make a copy of the new layer we’ve got (Ctrl+J) and stretch out the copy up to the lowest edge of the canvas, applying the Free Transform option.
This option may be selected, by pressing Ctrl+T.
Set the Blending mode-Screen for the stretched copy on the layers’ palette
Post Pages: 1 2
Smashing Themes
18/08/2009
This is exactly the tutorial I was searching for, thanks a lot man.
spr0sse
22/08/2009
omg…the result looks brilliant!
thank you so much for sharing!
Vikas Kadam
28/08/2009
I want the tutorial cds or books where can i get it
Benyamin
21/10/2009
why the scrren wont work? from what i know from PS screen wont work on white or did i do something wrong
Jules.p
12/11/2009
For me, the Screen doesn’t work, i don’t know if it’s me but it’s really frustrated.
Anyway, amazing result! Good job!
Jules.p
12/11/2009
I mean “frustrating”, sorry…
vistor
18/11/2009
the screen doesnt work
Vicky
29/01/2010
I do not get the last bit at all. I’m a bit confused.
Bdube30
08/02/2010
for the gradient, dont use the gradient overlay option, take the gradient tool, and on a new layer, make your gradient, and put the layer in screen mode.
With this way to do, i sucess to finish the tutorial.
SOS
28/03/2010
i can’t get the black background which same like the tutorial even i use the gradient tool. now my background color is white. anyone help
henry
29/03/2010
for me screen doesntw work..better try mutliply
but any thax for sharing.. it help me alot
Raul
13/04/2010
worked for me thanks
haylwey
29/04/2010
this tutorial sucks
ieueiouseiouesq
02/05/2010
This was awesome, thanks.
miriam
25/05/2010
don’t do gradient filter just do regular gradient on top layer, don’t merge and do overlay on top layer works a charm
thanks for the tutorial brill
Rusiru
09/06/2010
hi sum place i cant understand but its very good disign
( Using the Rectangle Tool (U), try to stretch out the rectangle on the whole canvas. Next select on this layer Blending Options>Gradient Overlay, by making a click on this layer on the layer’s palette and choose the appropriate selections.)
this one i cant understand
Rainbow Guy
02/11/2010
I recommend using “Color” layer style for the final color gradient layer when using more vibrant colors. :3
Rainbow Guy
02/11/2010
Or Linear\Color burn* layer styles.
Rob
10/04/2012
doesn’t get this step right:
“On this stage, we have to press Alt button while making a mouse click between the gradient’s layers and the layer containing the rays. In this case the layers should be put over.
After that, mark out both layers on the layers’ palette and press Ctrl+E to Merge Down.
Then make a copy of the new layer we’ve got (Ctrl+J) and stretch out the copy up to the lowest edge of the canvas, applying the Free Transform option.
This option may be selected, by pressing Ctrl+T.
Set the Blending mode-Screen for the stretched copy on the layers’ palette”
Got mac. Any help someone? =)
Gwen
16/09/2012
I agree with Rob. What the heck are we supposed to do here? Also nowhere does it way how many layers we should have at that point. I did the gradient and the wave on the same layer as the black because he never says to make a new layer. I wish he would have show his layers so we could know what we are expected to have at this step.
Gwen
16/09/2012
what does he mean – In this case the layers should be put over.-?
I pressed Alt between the layers and it made a clipping mask, but did not change the look of the image all i can see is the gradient.
And – After that, mark out both layers on the layers’ palette and press Ctrl+E to Merge Down. – What dose he mean Mark out? When I merge them all I get is the gradient. This just doesn’t seem to work right maybe there is a step missing?
Brandi
10/02/2013
I agree w/ Gwen. I’m confused also.
Dylan
22/02/2013
Thanks a lot for this Tutorial..cool result
Brandon Sanders
25/03/2013
I could not find the gradient overlay option, can anyone help me?