Photoshop Exploding Text (Sort Of)

I’d like to continue my TS tutorials with a text effect I like, its fairly simple but looks effective.

Step 1.

We start by making a 1000×1000 pixel document – we have to have a square canvas because one of the later steps will scream and cry if we don’t. Also set the background to black.

Step 2.

Set your foreground colour to white and select the Text Tool, using the Arial font Write “BOOM” On your canvas. In the Layer Palette right click the Text Layer and select Rasterize Type, this will change the text into a Raster Layer so we can use filters on it.

Step 3.

We now want to blur the Text, so go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the blur to 10 pixels.

Step 4.

Next select Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates setting the option to Polar to Rectangle. Follow this by rotating the Image 90 degrees clock wise (Image > Image Rotation 90 CW).

Step 5.

Go to Filter > Stylize > Wind and set the Method to Wind, also direction from Right.

Step 6.

Now we want to reverse a couple of our steps – first we want to rotate the image 90 degrees Counter Clock Wise (Image > Image Rotation 90 CCW). Then we want to use the Polar Coordinates Filter again – but use Rectangle to Polar.

Step 7.

With that done we add a Gradient Adjustment Layer, I chose the foreground to transparent gradient and set my foreground colour to Red. I also set the Gradient type to Radial, finally I set the Blending Mode to Overlay.

Step 8.

Under the Gradient Adjustment Layer Make a new Layer called Smoke, Using the Elliptical Marquee Tool draw out a large Circle. Fill this Selection with Clouds – Filter > Render > Clouds. Next with the Selection still in place – blur the Selection as in step 3.

Step 9.

Add a Layer Mask to the Smoke Layer and select the Gradient Tool and choose the Radial Gradient from the options, Set your Foreground colour to white and your background to black. Next on the Layer Mask Pull out a gradient from the centre of the circle to the outside – this will mask some of the “Smoke” leaving some at the centre 😀

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