Sep 3,  PST

Planet Abstract in Photoshop
Written by: Haily | Using a few simple steps, I will show you in this tutorial how to create a planet-like abstract.
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Here's a preview of what we will create in this tutorial.


Start by creating a 400x400 pixel image at 72px/in. Also make sure the image is transparent.

Using the Elliptical Marquee Tool and holding the 'shift' key, create a circle accross the center of the image. We will call this layer Base.


In a new layer above the Base layer, use the Elliptical Marquee Tool again (without holding 'shift' this time) to create a selection similar to the one below.


Right-click on the selection and select 'Feather'. This feather will be 40px. Now, hold (Ctrl for Windows or Command for Macs), 'shift', and 'alt' simultaneously while clicking on the thumbnail of the Base layer in the layers palette.

In the new layer we made previously, fill the selection with a color. I'm going to use #CC9966. Press Ctrl/Command + D to deselect the selection. Here's what you should have:


Now repeat the same process a second time with a smaller selection and another new layer. For the fill color, I'm going to use a color closer to white. In this example, I'm using #FFCC99.


Now again for one last time, let's repeat this process (don't forget to make another new layer!). In this case, hold 'shift' when making the selection to get a perfect circle. The feather this time will be 20px, and we won't click on the thumbnail of the Base layer after applying the feather. We'll also use white #FFFFFF as the fill color for this step, but we fill it twice with white.


Now for the last step, create a new layer and drag it under all of the other layers in the layers palette. Fill this layer with black #000000, and there is your planet abstract!


You can use some of the concepts in this tutorial to create 3D effects in Photoshop. You can also experiment with different colors and adding textures to the final product. Have fun!

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| Written by: Haily | Added: May 28 2008 | Last Modified: Dec 21 2009 | Views: 3,215 | (Log in to rate) |

User Comments

James of icecaves.netJune 3 2008, 6:48 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
the planet looks cool, but it looks a bit like a finger or a peaking guy.lol
AshimaJune 3 2008, 7:03 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Lovely tutorial, Haily How do you come up with such things? Maybe, coz you're cool? LOL.
Haily of icecaves.netJune 3 2008, 2:23 pm PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Ashima, the story behind on how I discovered this effect is pretty funny. It was a complete accident.
I was actually trying the make something look round. I accidentally filled the background with black and saw what I had so far and almost fell off my seat. I simplified the technique and posted it here for all to enjoy. =)
James of icecaves.netJune 30 2008, 9:29 pm PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Wow,lol!
Dezi of rockyroadrules.comMarch 1 2009, 1:23 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Wow, this is awesome! I'm going to try this out some time
Zaphiie of roguecity.netSeptember 27 2009, 4:26 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
James said:
the planet looks cool, but it looks a bit like a finger or a peaking guy.lol


Haha true Maybe tan wasn't the smartest choice for that... Peeking guy rotflmfao
Haily of icecaves.netSeptember 27 2009, 10:32 pm PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
I chose those colors thinking it was a gaseous planet :o
Thomas of icecaves.netSeptember 27 2009, 10:34 pm PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
5/5
Yeah it looks cool. It's like Jupiter and then the sun is beside it.
Zaphiie of roguecity.netSeptember 28 2009, 12:38 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Haily said:
I chose those colors thinking it was a gaseous planet :o


Oh... Haha I didn't even know what colours gaseous planets are =P Sorry   
Haily of icecaves.netSeptember 28 2009, 8:53 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Doesn't look like Jupiter?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Jupiter.jpg
Jenny of windymill.skyne...September 28 2009, 10:32 am PST - Karma: 0 - Quote - Link -
Great effect. It's funny how you figure these things out even if it's by accident because you've got so many random trick.s

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