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In this tutorial, we will show you how to cover an object in a Jaguar style fur texture. In this example, we’ll cover a computer folder, but this technique can be used with any other object, like a CD cover, a mouse, or even a computer.
Editor’s Note:This tutorial was originally published in the Czech language at Grafika Online. Grafikahave kindly given permission for Vaclav to republish here on PSDTUTS for those of us who haven’t quite mastered Czech…
Final Image Preview
Before we get started, let’s take a look at the image we’ll be creating. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership.

Introduction
Let’s look at how this tutorial differs from other icon tuts across the net. First of all, a process like this can be applied to other objects (of course bigger object). Also, with icons the object can be viewed in its full size. Above all, any tiny inaccuracy can be easily corrected, or is small enough that it can’t be seen at all. So it’s possible to keep the length of the article standard without skipping any steps needed to create this Jaguar style.
This tutorial concept was made some time ago. After a few hours of creating in Photoshop, I made what you can see below. It is a folder, but I wasn’t fully satisfied with this design, so I left the project for a while. Later, I came back to it with new strength and ideas. This serves as some advice for you in this article. Consider, opening your old work and trying to improve it. You can breathe new life into your old projects.

Step 1
Although we don’t need the exact shape of the folder, let’s show how to create such a shape. First, create a new document, where we fill 128 px by 128 px with a grey color, as show in (1), this is the area where the folder must fit. Then we draw the shape of folder with the Pencil Tool, as shown in (2). Then set the Grid on every pixel, shown in (3). Then begin redrawing the shape with the Pen Tool, as shown in (4) – (6).
Step 2
We keep doing this until the whole shape is drawn.

Step 3
Here is the example of the original drawing, and the new one created with the Pen Tool. Anyway, the original drawing (sketch) is enough to continue the process.

Step 4
Naturally, we need a good texture, which can be downloaded here.

Step 5
Next, let’s try to mask certain part of the texture, so it looks "furry" on the edges. Then change the layer to a folder size. Go to Channels Palette, and find the right one with as big a contrast as possible. In our case, it’s the Red Channel.

Step 6
Choose it (Ctrl + A). Then copy and paste it into the document. Then adjust the Levels so the white color. It is really white and black is black. Also, the middle tones may be lowered.

Step 7
Zoom in on the whole picture, and try to find a gradient between black and white, which should be used to create a brush. Then select the area, and duplicate it to a new layer (Ctrl + J).

Step 8
Hide the original layer. Then adjust this layer for the brush trail. We can use Levels again, or the Dodge/Burn Tools.

Step 9
This way we have good control over everything. All we want to do is make the white part really white and the black part black. We keep adjusting it until it looks like the image below.

Step 10
When we are happy, we can choose again with Shift + Ctrl + D. Then invert the layer (Ctrl + I), and make it a new brush trail.

Step 11
Open the Brushes Palette.

Step 12
Set the random size with Size Jitter of 100% and Angle Jitter of 9%. Notice the other settings shown below as well.

Step 13
Then add a color mask to the original (color) layer. Fill this with a black color. Then start drawing with a grass brush, and use a white brush trail.

Step 14
Set the right Angle for every side.

Step 15
We have finished the rough outline, now it’s time to finish details. We can use a standard Photoshop brush next. Set the right size and angle, and draw into the mask.

Step 16
As soon as the layer looks "furry" enough, copy it, and make the folder smaller (Ctrl + T).

Step 17
Note that any shape imperfection can be corrected easily.

Step 18
Next grab the Smudge Tool and set it to the right brush.

Step 19
Make the second layer smaller in accordance with the back side of the folder, which is where we must cut into it on the right, as shown below.

Step 20
This is how both layers look merged.

Step 21
It’s necessary to make the back layer darker. This can be done by adding a new adjustment layer of Brightness/Contrast, which must be set as a cutting mask (Ctrl + Alt + G). Then lower the Brightness to -100.

Step 22
Then we can make the front layer brighter.

Step 23
Next we add some reflections. Although, we must respect that fur doesn’t have any reflection, so we come back to the "grass" brush trail we created and draw with it on the edges.

Step 24
It should be made irregularly, to make the reflection look real. The Smudge Tool can be used again.

Step 25
Then add a shadow, and our icon is finished. Or it isn’t?

Step 26
If you want to continue, you can add a label. All you have to do is erase one spot with the Clone Stamp Tool.

Step 27
Then create a new text layer.

Step 28
Next we add some random brush strokes over the layer, and add one darker spot under it.

Step 29
We finish it all with the grass shaped brush. Keep in mind, the drawing must be made according to the angle of the fur.

Step 30
Don’t "blur" it too much, as you want it to be readable.

Step 31
Still want more? OK, one last step. To create the background blur the original layer with a Median filter, so the hair is lost, but the outline is still good.

Step 32
Next we set the layer to Luminosity, and add a layer mask Then a draw gradient within the layer mask going from black to white.

Final Result
We add some text, and now our icon design is finished! Good luck with your work, and I wish you many great ideas!








Ugly. Sorry.
Nice tut thanks!
Nice, I liked the end result :]
Perspective is better achieve with “Vanishing Point” filter… oops… PS7 vs CS2… allthough fun result
WOW!!!
Nice icon. Thx for the tut.
Where would you use this?????? Super kitch…
Very cool thanks!
Ahh so warm n fuzzy! Thanks for the tut.
Very cool thanks! i made this with a cow texture
Wow! Thanks for the awesome tut! This one is really great because you can apply the same technique using textures other than this one. Stones or paper, for example =D
friggin’ brilliant
You should know that these may not be Jaguar spots, but indeed are more similar to the markings of a leopard. The coloring is similar to a Jaguar, but they also have smaller spots in the center of each pattern area. Leopards do not have the smaller inner spots in their markings, thus this image can cast a confusing light on exactly which cat (operating system) the folder refers to.
i like the idea of making fur. thanks
people help please!
i cant find COLOR MASK
what is it and where is it located in photoshop menu???
Forget the icon, this is a great tutorial for creating brushes! Would be ideal for digital painters and artists. Some of you jerks need to stop looking at the outcome and learn the techniques to develop your own style.
I like the look and feel of that fur
Cool icon! Sometimes hair/fur effects look awesome when done right and this one is pretty cool.
Leo Utskot >> The stencil font is called Cargo, and is made by URW++ http://www.fontshop.com/search/?q=Cargo&x=0&y=0 . I don’t know what the other font is called..
It was something neeeeeeeeeeeeeeew.
I loved it
nice!!!!
WoW – the icon looks very great…
Cool PSD Tutorial and very useful – even for newbies. Thanks a lot.
superb….and we all know that UI designers are very inspiring…
awsome…………!
i like it
Nice tutorial… i appreciate it…. need more outstanding tutorial from you
Well sorry I find it a bit complicated!
its nice but u have made busyness with it
and some people dont have money
wow Nice Trick To Create Brushes!
So simple, yet so cool. Inspires me for sure! Thanks for posting this thing (even when I’m a bit late discovering it).
Love to see more of this stuff!
Sexy! Thanks.
Cool Tutorial – I think i have to buy photoshot for this kind of high quality photo editing.