This issue’s tutorial focuses on creating a rock background in Adobe Photoshop for backdrops, webpage design, materials for 3D design, or text were a strong statement needs to be made. Upon completing tutorial you will get an understanding of how both cloud filters and channels execute in order to get the desired 3D effect that makes this rock look very realistic.
STEP 1.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
First create a new file that is 500×500 pixels at 72 resolution in RGB color with a white background. Select both the foreground and background colors and change them to a light and dark rock color of your choice. For this tutorial I chose R:72, G:72, B:72 for the foreground color and R:155, G:155, B:155 for the background color. Apply a FILTER >RENDER >CLOUDS three times to balance out the two colors.
STEP 2.
SETTING THE DEPTH
Now you will create the depth of the rock by going to the channels window and creating a new channel named DEPTH. In the channel you have just created, simply apply FILTER >RENDER> DIFFERENCE CLOUDS three times to balance the white and black of the channel. Next apply FILTER > NOISE> ADD NOISE with the settings at .58%, Gaussian, Monochromatic.
STEP 3.
APPLYING THE MAGIC
Go back to your layers palette and select the layer that you applied clouds to at the beginning of the tutorial. For the final touch apply FILTER> RENDER> LIGHTING EFFECTS with the setting displayed in the link below:
If all went well then you should have something that looks like this.
Justin Rice is an Murdok Graphic Designer and Staff Writer