Quantum Petshop Photoshop Text Tutorial, Text Explosion Effect

Explosion Part 2
Blow up your text with a fiery background.

This is a multiple page tutorial because there are multiple layers, each adding to the effect. Start on the first step.

STEP 6

Now apply a Gaussian Blur of about 3, then Filter>Stylize>Find Edges... The find edges will emphasize the center area, essentially emphasizing the center explosion.

STEP 7

Now we'll use a levels adjustment layer (Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Levels) to bring out the basic shape and color of the explosion. Put this layer above all layers.

Your going to adjust multiple channels, including the overall RGB channel. This is very rudimentary now, you may want to come back and change it at the end.

First adjust the RGB channel middle input level so its skewed right.

On the Red Channel, bring the left adjustment slightly to the right, drastically bring the right handle left, and skew the center handle towards the right.

On the green channel, bring the left handle to about the center, drag the right handle to about 3/4 and skew the center handle towards the left.

Again, this is done to taste and will depend on how you've set up your own image. Consider the values shown in the images as a good start for a red-orange explosion.

Remember, make sure the adjustment layer is positioned above all other layers.

STEP 8

Now unhide the text layer. Invert it and set its mode to Multiply.

Its up to you, but you can apply a slight Radial Blur, of about 10, to this text layer to bring out the motion of the explosion on the text.

STEP 9

Unhide the lightthrough layer. Invert it and set its mode to Screen.

STEP 10

With the light through layer selected, apply a radial blur at full strength. Filter>Blur>Radial Blur... Zoom mode at 100, best quality. Repeat the radial blur 2-5 times. Duplicate the layer to further pronounce the light through the holes of the text blast effect.

And there you have it, the final version is easily cropped out. You may want to try blurring the layer a little, though I like the sharp rays in this case.

Go back to previous steps.

Part [1] [2]

We strongly support Firefox

Text Tutorials: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Don't forget to checkout our entire Tutorials section.

Our Popular Text Tutorials

Found our stuff useful or interesting? Help us function and keep us motivated.