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How do I get "sandy" fading edges?


Astromatics

Astromatics

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Hi everybody!

Does anyone know how to achieve the effect used in this picture on the edges of the sky and moonlight shapes:
media.threadless.com/subs/big/457566.gif


A similar effect has been used for the shading behind the deer's legs in this one:
media.threadless.com//imgs/products/3680/636x460design_01.jpg

[Sorry, I can't post real hyperlinks but you can copy paste the lines above.]

For the lack of a better word I can just call it sandy edges because to me they look like sand. Is it possible to do this in Photoshop or Illustrator?

I'd be grateful for some help!
Best regards!
 
Its probably a Layer Style. 1st layer is the background, 2nd is the moon or the object that you want to have the "glow".

Select the second layer, then go to:

- Layer Style (the fX icon at the bottom right corner),
- Outer glow, then choose your preferred setting, that will create the result as you like.(Structure, Elements and Quality)

Playing around with these settings will get your glow.

sampleglow.jpg
 
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Thank you, Yunsha!
Sounds like a good idea for the first picture. But is there also a way of recreating the effect from the second one (media.threadless.com//imgs/products/3680/636x460design_01.jpg)?
 
The second picture is more complex, but I think they just simply used more layers and they used duplicate layers and extra layers just to create the sandy shadow effect.

It means you have the shape of the ground, then duplicate the ground layer, create the sandy effect on the duplicate, then create the glow and move the duplicate under the original layer, so it looks like it its shadow.

They might used various effects to create the others tho.
 
That sample you posted looks nice! Quite close to my example.
So you think all of the shading in the second picture was done in PS? That's good, maybe I just have to play around with the layer settings to achieve something similar.
 
I think they are all different layers styles, just need to play around. Its realy hard to get back the details from a ready picture.

Some people might do it differently and they might get the same effects.

I am sure Layer Styles will get you some good results.
 
You can also create both effects with a stippling brush. Which can easily be created by taking any normal brush, turning on scatter and playing around with the settings until you get the desired look. :)
 
Another thing you could do on the first is create the same size circle with a brush set to dissolve or just select>expand your shape, fill the layer and set the layer to dissolve. In either case add a feather before filling. Haven't tried it; just seems it should work.

The second could be select reflection/shadow, feather, add noise. Or some of the above methods. I agree you could try layer effects, but I expect it may be multi layers like Yunsha suggested.

The last example might well be a layer with lowered opacity. The a layer above with either noise added or set to dissolve blend mode. Then add a layer mask add use a gradient to remove the edges. You can do the same painting. I guess it depends for one thing on whether each object is on its own layer or not.

This being PS, there are multiple options for creating the same or similar effect. The exact one used here? You'll doubtless get more recommendations as the day wears on.

:mrgreen:
 
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Hi Astro,

Astro said:
The effect or technique has been used on most plain colors but esepecially visible on the sun. How can I make an object look like it's made of small irregular dots? Is ist a texture or brush or something else?
Click to expand...

I made a red background layer. I then made a new layer and added a circular selection using the elliptical marquee tool. If you hold the shift key while pulling the circle it will remain round, and, you can also include the space bar to move the circle anywhere you would like it. When it's positioned, you will be left with a circular marching ant selection. Then just as Fatboy73 described, I simply made a stipple brush by using a regular brush and playing with the presets.
The active selection allows you to paint only within the confines of the circle.When your done painting, hit Command + D to deselect.

sun.jpg
 
Thanks a lot for your help, ibclare and IamSam!

I think I figured out how to get a nice stipple brush now. I never really played with the distance of the dots before so I guess that's why I wasn't really satisfied with the results.
 
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