This Photoshop tutorial will show you how to create a cool background swirl effect for websites, twitter pages, etc. Learn how to make text pop out of the background, add dust particles, and more! This tutorial has a wealth of pro Photoshop tricks.

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Effects

This tutorial is going to show you a lot of different useful effects that you can use with various Photoshop project.  If you follow the steps closely you will find out how to:

• Create a Gradient
• Apply Motion and Linear Effects using filters
• Work with layer blending modes
• Add styles to text using blending options
• Add a gloss to text or objects
• Use brush settings to create effects
• Use the pen tool and blending options to create a stunning glowing effect

Final Outcome:

Here is what we will be creating in this tutorial.  Pretty huh?!  It ‘s more than just creating a polished composition, it’s about learning valuable skills along the way.  The effects used in this tutorial can be used in an infinite amount of ways, allowing you to add valuable tools to your creative tool belt!

Creating the Background Swirl

The first thing we’re going to do is create a new document with the following settings:

Now we’re going to add a gradient in the background from black to white.  First hit the letter “D” on the keyboard to reset the foreground and background colors to default.  Then, select the Gradient Tool (G) and drag from the bottom of the window to the top.  You should come up with something like this:

Next we’re going to select Filter > Distort > Wave in the menu bar and use the following settings.  You can change these to generate various effects.

Now choose Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates, and use the default settings.  This is what it will look like:

With the layer selected choose Filter > Distort > Twirl and set the angle to about 140 degrees.

This is what we should have so far:

Now that we have our swirl base we’re going to add some cool colors.  To do this select the little circle at the bottom of the layers palette and select Gradient.

After this select the rectangle to the right of the word “Gradient:” and select the gradient that looks like a rainbow and select ok.

Then, with the “Gradient Fill” box still selected, set the style to Angle and click ok.

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