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Create a Powerful Mental Wave Explosion Effect

Fabio on Apr 15th 2008 with 457 comments
Tutorial Details
  • Program: Photoshop
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • CompletionTime: 1-2 hours
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Final Product What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a crazy explosion, like a mix of Magneto’s ability with Peter Petrelli’s power. We will use images and filters to produce this wave explosion effect. Even though it may look like a difficult tutorial, it’s really not that hard.

Step 1

Open a new document. I used 800x600px. Look for a road photo on the Internet. The one I used can be downloaded here. After downloading, place the photo in your document.

Step 1

Step 2

Now we need a photo of a person. The one I used can be found here. Once you have your photo, it’s time to extract the guy from the background. Using the Pen Tool(P) create a path like in the image below. After that go to the Paths Palette and create a selection from that path. Then go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal Selection. Lastly, I named this layer “dude.”

Step 2

Step 3

Go to Edit>Transform>Scale and reduce the size of the guy. Then go to Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal. We do that to match the light direction.

Step 3

Step 4

Go to Image>Adjustments>Curves. The idea here is to darken the guy a little bit so he will fit better with the background. Use the image below as a reference.

Step 4

Step 5

Holding Cmd/Ctrl click on the mask thumb of the “dude” layer. That will create a marquee selection of the guy. After that create a new layer. Rename it to “shadow” and fill it with black. Then go to Edit>Transform>Distort and move the vertices to make the shadow in perspective. The last thing here is go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur.

Step 5

Step 6

Grab the Ellipse Tool(U). Select Paths instead of Shape Layer. Create a Circle, like the image below. After that grab the Direct Selection Tool(A) and adjust the bottom of the circle.

Step 6

Step 7

Create a new layer. Rename it to “clouds.” Then go to Filter>Render>Clouds. While holding Alt, click on Clouds. After that go to the Path’s Palette and create a selection from the path and mask the layer.

Tip: As you will be using the Render>Clouds, you will probably need to apply the filter several times until you got the clouds just right. Keep working with it until the light and dark areas are in a good position.

Step 7

Step 8

Go to Filter>Liquefy. In the Liquefy Dialog Box select the Bloat Tool (B). Then for the settings use: Brush Size 550, Brush Density 100, Brush Pressure 100, Brush Rate 60, and Turbulent Jitter 75.

Then select the Show Backdrop Option. That will allow you to see the clouds and the background. It will be necessary to use the Bloat Tool in the right place. Click a few times and deselect the Show Backdrop. Then you will see the effect and will be able to repeat it more times in the correct place.

Step 8

Step 9

Change the Blend Mode of the cloud layer to Soft Light. Then create another layer and rename it to “Clouds 2″ and repeat Steps 7 and 8. We will need another cloud to make it more turbulent. This time, however, use Multiply for the Blend Mode.

After that, create yet another layer. Rename it to “Clouds 3″ and repeat Steps 7 and 8. For this layer use Color Dodge for the Blend Mode. The last thing here is with the Eraser Tool (E) delete some parts. This layer is used to give highlights to the clouds.

Step 9

Step 10

Group the “Clouds 3″ layer and go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. After that, select the Brush Tool (B), give it a black color, and mask some parts of the clouds that are close to the ground.

Step 10

Step 11

Select the “Clouds” layer and go to Filter>Sharpen>Sharpen More. Then repeat this Sharpen filter on Clouds 2 and 3 layers.

Step 11

Step 12

Create a new layer. Rename it to “Glow.” Fill it with white and go to the Path Palette. Create a selection from the clouds path as we did in Step 9. Then mask the layer.

After that go to Layer>Layer Style>Outer Glow. Use the default settings. Then go to Layer>Layer Style>Create Layer. This command will create another layer from the Outer Glow. You can delete the white layer and leave just the Outer Glow layer.

Step 12

Step 13

Create a folder called “Lights.” Move the “Glow” layer to this folder. Next select the “Glow” layer. Then go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. Then select the Brush Tool, black for the color, and start masking the glow. We need just the outline; however, some bright spots in the middle will give a nice result.

Step 13

Step 14

Create a new layer beneath the clouds group. Using the Elliptical Marquee Tool create a selection like the image below. Fill the layer with black and use 40% Opacity.

Step 14

Step 15

Go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. After that select the Gradient Tool(G) and use a black and white gradient. Then mask the layer, like in the image below.

Step 15

Step 16

Duplicate the layer and go to Layer>Layer Mask>Apply. Then go to Edit>Transform>Distort. Repeat the same thing we did for the shadow of the guy on this layer. Group these two layers and rename the group to “Shadows.”

Step 16

Step 17

Create a new layer right above the road photo. Go to Filter>Render>Clouds. Then go to Filter>Distort>ZigZag. Use 100 for the Amount and 5 for the Ridges. For the Style use Pond Ripples.

Step 17

Step 18

Now go to Edit>Transform>Distort. Distort the layer until you get the right perspective. After that, change the Blend Mode to Overlay. Again, as we are using Render Clouds, the results may vary so you might need to erase some parts to make it more realistic.

Step 18

Step 19

Create an Elliptical Selection like the image below. Then fill it with black. After that, create another Elliptical Selection, but smaller. Then delete that part of the layer. With the Magic Wand Tool(W) select the black part of the layer.

Step 19

Step 20

Duplicate the road’s layer and select it. Make sure that you still have the Marquee Selection from the Step 19. Then go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal Selection. You can delete the black ellipse layer from the Step 19 or just hide it.

Go to Layer>Layer Styles>Bevel and Emboss. This is another way to create the ripple effect. You could use Displace as well.

Step 20

Step 21

Go to Layer>New Layer Fill>Gradient. Use Radial for the Style. For the colors use #ddc396 and #2f1e00. Change the Blend mode to Color Dodge.

Step 21

Step 22

Here I used another image from Stock.Xchng, image. Just place it on top of all layers and change the Blend Mode to Overlay.

Step 22

Step 23

Now let’s make some adjustments. First, lets darken our Magneto dude a bit more. Select the Burn Tool(S) and burn the back of the guy. After that, change the Blend Mode of the “ripples” layer to Soft Light. You can delete some parts of the clouds as well.

Step 23

Step 24

Create a new folder, beneath the “dude” layer. Name the group “power” and change the Blend Mode to Color Dodge. After that, create a new layer inside of this group. Then using the Brush Tool with white color, create some lights coming from the hands of the guy. Tip: use a regular brush with 0% for the hardness.

After that you create another layer. Use some brushes to add more effects. I used some abstract brushes from http://brusheezy.com. Then add a Pink Outer Glow Layer Style.

Step 24

Step 25

Import the truck image, you can download it at image. Then with the Magic Wand Tool(W) select and delete the background of the photo. Leave just the truck. After that go to Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal. Move the truck to the side of the road.

Step 25

Step 26

Go to Image>Adjustments>Curves and make the truck a bit darker. After that, using the Rectangular Marquee Tool(M), create a rectangular selection a bit bigger than the truck. Then go to Filter>Blur>Radial Blur. For the settings use Amount 2, Method use Spin, and set Best Quality. Next go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur. Then use -75 degrees for the angle and 3 pixels for the Distance.

Step 26

Step 27

Now we will create the truck’s shadow. To do that select the Truck’s layer, click with the right button of the mouse and choose Select Pixels. Then create a new layer and fill it with black. Put this layer beneath the truck layer and go to Edit>Transform>Distort. Distort the shadow to make it look more real. Then go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Change the Opacity of this layer to 60%.

Step 27

Step 28

Group the truck and the shadow layer and rename it to “truck.” Then organize your folders in the Layers Palette.

Step 28

Conclusion

You can add more elements to the image, like a traffic cone or more cars. But always change the curves in order to make the objects have the same lighting. That will make the image more realistic. For some effects, there will be many other ways to achieve a similar result. Experiment with different methods of achieving an effect, like we did with the ripples. Finally, stick with the ones you think are the best for that image.

Conclusion

 
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By Fabio

Rollover to read this author's bio or click through to see a full list of posts by this author.

I am a Brazilian designer living in Porto Alegre (south of Brazil). In 2003, I founded a web design studio called ZEE, with Fabiano Meneghetti, an architect and friend of mine. It's a small studio now, with 4 people working basically with web.  

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Discussion 457 Comments

Comment Page 10 of 10 1 ... 8 9 10
  1. Shirley B. says:
    March 9, 2010 at 11:46 am

    Thank you…..whoever you are , its awesome that you can share your ideas and work so openly.
    My drawing came out a bit different, kind of lost track towards the end, but I still like it nevertheless.Fabio your work is fully fabulous. Thank you.I plan to redo the tutorial another day…..am hooked!

    Reply
  2. frank says:
    March 9, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    Who can help me with step 8, It won’t work i don’t understand it Please help me!

    Reply
    • compunerd3 says:
      March 15, 2010 at 9:39 am

      it didnt work for me either so what i done was used the eliptical marquee tool instead, then when i done all the clouds layers, i used a very soft eraser just to round off the edges, and it was same result overall :D

      Reply
    • morrdi says:
      May 9, 2010 at 10:53 am

      Be sure that you havent selected the mask in the cloud layer:D happened to me aswell

      Reply
  3. Connor says:
    March 16, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    Brilliant mate, great tutorial I haven’t tried this yet but I am very good at following instructions and I think I will get this close :D Thank!(Y)

    Reply
  4. Connor says:
    March 16, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    Okay sorry for the new comment but this isn’t going anyway the way i want it to please help do you have a video or anything ?

    Please reply at 31cona@googlemail.com
    Thank you!

    Reply
  5. moemay says:
    March 20, 2010 at 2:35 am

    hmm…
    that’s nice….

    can you give the video how to make it???
    thanks be4

    Reply
  6. Crowe says:
    March 25, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    step 2… i’m actually stuck at step 2.
    use the pen tool to create a path? like around the dude? sounds simple but it puts some sort of image around him or something, can someone explain in a bit more detail this step?

    Reply
  7. Nick says:
    March 27, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    can anyone help me with step 6 i dont get how to change the shape of the ellipse.
    thanks

    Reply
    • Kevin says:
      May 15, 2010 at 4:06 pm

      I cant get it either! someone please help! lol
      thanks…

      Reply
    • Denny says:
      June 29, 2010 at 11:02 pm

      1. Before you choose the eliptical marquee tool, choose the PATHS pallette.
      2. Then grab the eliptical marquee tool and hold shift and drag to make the circle.
      3. In the Paths palette, select “Make Work Path” from either the tools at the bottom edge of the palette, or from the palette menu.
      4. Select the points on the path with the direct selection (hollow arrow) tool. Then you will be able to alter the shape of the circle.
      5. Once altered, deselect. then choose the selection icon at the bottom of the paths menu and it will become selected.

      Reply
  8. Amandeep Singh says:
    April 5, 2010 at 3:03 am

    Who can help me with step 8, It won’t work i don’t understand it Please help me!

    Reply
    • Denny says:
      June 29, 2010 at 11:12 pm

      Must use the Bloat Tool!
      It’s in the tool box and looks like a fat rectangle with pointed corners. Hold the mouse over the tools to read their names.

      Select a circle, go to Filter> liquify…
      THEN set the parameters as were given in the tutorial.
      Use the bloat tool by tapping the mouse, or slowly moving it around. There may be a delay in seeing what happens based on your memory, but it will show a pushing of the image outward.

      Reply
  9. EMmmz says:
    April 11, 2010 at 11:29 am

    Done it all! Took me like 3 and half hrs but yeah…got it.thanx alot.Iv learnt more from this tutorial than i wud hv from sum photoshop book…………………………..
    For ppl with qstns about the pen tool…. dont use it very fast.go slow n u’ll get it.

    Reply
  10. eric says:
    April 12, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    can I please have the source file

    Reply
  11. Kairaksal M. Sanmga says:
    April 14, 2010 at 8:57 am

    Thank U very much for sharing your idea and creativity. I like the way you discover. Please help me by sending some more idea. I am very interesting in designing photos, logos, Text and so on. Once again thanks for your sharing.

    Reply
  12. mob023 says:
    April 19, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    yeah!. .this tutorial is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!. .I like to create one of this too. But, I think this is more complicated than I thought but I’d like to create one of this. You guys are totally great!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  13. xejo says:
    April 24, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    Thank you a lot!!! Im so happy

    Reply
  14. rajpal says:
    April 30, 2010 at 2:17 am

    At least you must add layers screen shots.

    Reply
  15. lokesh says:
    April 30, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    hey thats cool man i like it

    Reply
  16. Ashley says:
    May 13, 2010 at 8:42 am

    this is confusing…but kewl at the same time…hmmm…

    Reply
  17. David says:
    May 14, 2010 at 8:09 pm

    Thanks! Great Tut. The only thing i couldn’t get to work was the blast wave on the pavement and i tried both methods to no avail…but it turned out quite nicely.

    Reply
  18. rubin says:
    May 17, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    its so great, thanks man

    Reply
  19. Vlad says:
    May 19, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    I have a HP and have no clue what to do when you say to hold the cmd/ctrl, what do i have to press if i have an HP???

    Reply
  20. EA says:
    May 21, 2010 at 12:28 am

    I love this, I am going to test it out for sure. May still be a little too much for me but I’ll go step by step.

    Reply
  21. CSSReX says:
    May 24, 2010 at 5:00 am

    Very nice tut! Surely try it..

    Reply
  22. Sandy says:
    June 1, 2010 at 5:18 am

    Amazing…

    gooooooood job!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  23. toshi says:
    June 2, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    thanks man : )) your so cool that you share your knowledge about photoshop.. if i will become as good as you, i will also share my knowledge to others.

    Reply
  24. nikkita says:
    June 9, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    so fantastic !

    Reply
  25. bob says:
    June 10, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    i cant figure out in step 7 to make the work path a selection and then mask the layer? uhh well first how to i make an selection of the work path or the curved part?

    Reply
  26. gianluca says:
    June 14, 2010 at 8:45 am

    hello, I’m a beginner in Photoshop, I followed your tutorial but I have encountered one major difficulty: once I created a new layer. Renamed it to “Glow.” Fill it with white and go to the Path palette to create a selection, from what I have to follow step 9? and then, I have to redo all the tutorials from step 9 onwards, or end with the step 9?

    Reply
  27. kyawminoo says:
    June 22, 2010 at 9:23 am

    This is very nice and great for me and must be for everybody.
    I am very interested in design………………….

    Thank you very much!

    Reply
  28. Eketino says:
    July 2, 2010 at 8:22 am

    am very happy to find you on the net your tutorials have been of great help,but please can you help to change a black and white picture to coloured this has been my great challeng.

    Reply
  29. Cool Face says:
    July 3, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Hi,

    Somebody can help me? I cant make the step 12. I try to but it is too lights. check my picture.
    Please help me!

    http://kepfeltoltes.hu/100703/part1_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png

    http://kepfeltoltes.hu/100703/part2_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png

    do you have and idea? :(

    Reply
  30. omar says:
    July 5, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    your the best i love you (No homo lol)

    Reply
  31. jonathan annan says:
    July 7, 2010 at 8:15 am

    this is very grazy like a movie shot and animation yoooooooooooooo.u are grate

    Reply
  32. Sanne says:
    July 8, 2010 at 9:42 am

    Hello,

    Step 8 doesn’t work. Even when I select the clouds and not the mask.
    I did: filter>liquify and all the options that were done in the tutorial, but it does nothing!

    Can anybody help me?

    Reply
  33. Mari says:
    July 16, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    Well I need help on step 12. How do I get the glow on the path choosen? It only glows the edge.. |:

    Reply
  34. Mari says:
    July 16, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Never mind guys! I did it. *-*

    Reply
  35. Nick Steer says:
    July 28, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    This Is really amazing Mate, I would Love to have a picture like this. keep up the good work, hopefully you could do one for me on the free :D . Awesome Stuff

    Reply
  36. ACL3 says:
    August 3, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    So many bad questions, guys, this is not, NOT, for beginners. Really, read the description of this “Difficulty: Advanced”.
    If you need to ask what the “pen” tool is, obviously you aren’t ready for this..
    Not trying to be mean, but honestly you guys.. come on.

    Reply
  37. Alaby says:
    August 4, 2010 at 8:46 am

    nice tutorial, makes it look easy.

    Reply
  38. Jhe Ocasiones says:
    August 7, 2010 at 5:13 am

    this is really owsome! hope you will still continue making another tutorial

    thank you!

    Reply
  39. adib says:
    August 15, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    Why can’t i change the brush pressure of the bloat tool in Liquefy? its faded, as in it does not allow me to change the value.

    help please.

    THx

    Reply
  40. Shaill says:
    August 17, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    This is very nice and great…………..

    Reply
  41. fian says:
    August 23, 2010 at 1:03 am

    excelennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnt

    Reply
  42. jay says:
    August 31, 2010 at 12:50 am

    excellent

    Reply
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