Reflectively Refractive Glass Filter Tutorial

This is an advanced tutorial, illustrating a simple method of giving the illusion of a 3d

reflection to a particular form, using Photoshop's Glass filter. It should work in
Photoshop versions 5 and later. For the demonstration I will use Photoshop 7.

This method can be used in conjunction with lighting effects for slippery smooth
results.

1 a) Create an image, 800x800 pixels. For

reference purposes, save this image
(Ctrl+S) as glass.psd.

b) Use the type tool, or create an original form,

filling most of the image, preferably using a
typeface with thick smooth edges.

This example is using Goudy Old Style, Extra

Bold. For reference, let this layer be known as
the 'Type ' layer.

c) Now holding down Ctrl, click on the Type

layer in the Layer Window to select the it's
transparency.

a) In the Channels Window, press the

'Save selection as channel ' button to
create a channel of the selection.

b) Now, click on the new channel this created,

and with the selection still in tact, Gaussian Blur
it accordingly.

Might I suggest, a series of blurs in succession,

so that the edges falloff very smoothly.

Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur...9 pixels

Then blur 6 pixels.
Then blur 6 pixels.
Then again, 3 pixels.
Then again, 3 pixels.
Then finally, only 1 pixel.

The height map you create here is key to the

goodness of the final effect.

Tip: If you have My Actions loaded, this blurring process can be done
quickly and easily by pressing: F8 (blur 9px), F7 (blur 6px), F6 (blur
3px), F5 (blur 1px)

c) Once you deem your blurration fit for submission, press Ctrl+A to select the
entire channel, then copy it to the clipboard Ctrl+C.

d) Create a new image ( Ctrl+N), of the same size ( 800x800), and paste ( Ctrl+V)
the blurred channel into it. Now, save this image as a glass_bump.psd into the
same folder you are working from. You may now close it if you wish.

3 a) Download this photo by right clicking on

the link then selecting ' Save target as... '.
Open the image in photoshop.

Note: This can also be done by clicking on the

link, so that the full image loads in your web
browser, then drag the photo off the browser
into Photoshop.

b)Once the image is in Photoshop, Select All ( Ctrl+A), copy it to the clipboard
(Ctrl+C), then go to the original image glass.psd and paste it ( Ctrl+V) onto a new
layer.
http://www.phong.com/tutorials/glass/ Page 1 / 3
This will be the image which the glass refracts. Let it be known as the ' Photo' layer.
 b)Once the image is in Photoshop, Select All ( Ctrl+A), copy it to the clipboard
(Ctrl+C), then go to the original image glass.psd and paste it ( Ctrl+V) onto a new
layer.

This will be the image which the glass refracts. Let it be known as the ' Photo' layer.

If you use your own photo instead of this one, such as pictures of
water which look cool and refreshing, make sure that it is exactly the
same size as the glass.psd, or else make sure that the edges of the
Tip: Photo layer go beyond he edges of the image. Also, make sure you
select the whole image (not layer) ( Ctrl+A) before running the Glass
filter, or else there will problems with the placement of the glass
refraction. You will see.

a) With the Photo layer selected, select all

(Ctrl+A), then go in the menu:

Filter > Distort > Glass...

b) From the texture dropdown, choose Load

Texture...

Then select the bump map you saved earlier,

glass_bump.psd, and press OK.

These sliders are self -explanatory, though for

this demonstration I will use:

Distortion: 20
Smoothness: 8

The Invert option may also produce a desired

effect.

When you're done here, press OK to apply the

filter.

Note: Rendering the glass filter a second or third

time on the same layer (Ctrl+F) may also
produce desirable effects.

The following steps are entirely optional, and

should be experimented with.

To fit the glass refraction inside the original

form, hold down Alt, then move your
mouse between the Type layer and the
Photo layer, until a little icon with two
intersecting circles replaces the cursor, then
click.

This will use the Type layer transparency as a

mask for the refracted Photo layer.

To disable this, click between the layers again

holding down Alt.

a) Holding down Ctrl click the Type layer

to select it's transparency. Click on the
Photo layer, then create a new layer above
it.

Fill the new layer with a dark color, such as

black, by pressing X (to select Black as
foreground color), and then Alt+Backspace (to
fill). Then deselect ( Ctrl+D).

Rename this layer 'Highlight', or something to

this extent.

Set the blending mode for this

layer to Overlay.

b) With the Highlight layer still selected, go in

the menu:

Filter > Render > Lighting Effects...

http://www.phong.com/tutorials/glass/ Set your texture channel to the bump map Page 2 / 3

created earlier (possibly Alpha 1), then setup
some nice lights, according to the Lighting
 Filter > Render > Lighting Effects...

Set your texture channel to the bump map

created earlier (possibly Alpha 1), then setup
some nice lights, according to the Lighting
Effects tutorial.

Channel height set to 100 'Mountainous', may or

may not look hoopy.

When this is done, perhaps even change the blending mode to Color Dodge, or
Screen... whatever appears the most groovy to your pulsating eyeballs.

In addition to the Photo layer, try refracting a layer of black and white scan lines to
produce highly detailed moire patterns. This tutorial can also be used to create
chrome looking items. Throw down drop shadows, stone textures , disgruntled dots,
and hopefully better effects you've come up with by now.

Massage the pixels thoroughly, until they stimulate your eyeballs in return, and be
sure to experiment until the persistantly unfolding depths of your mind push you to
the brink of madness.

Copyright © July 28, 2003; Anson Vogt

http://www.phong.com/tutorials/glass/ Page 3 / 3