Photoshop can build a variety of basic 3D objects using 2D layers as a starting point. After creating a 3D object, you can move it in 3D space, change render settings, add lighting, or merge it with other 3D layers.
This tutorial covers how to create an easy 3D effect using the Red, Green and Blue channels located in the Layer Styles interface. Get the image I used here. Skip navigation. Open an image (optional). In case you want to place the 3D text on a specific image, you should load the image into Photoshop first. To do this, again go to “File” and click the “Open” option from drop-down menu. A file browser will open; navigate through your folders to the image file you want to use.
- Convert 2D layers into 3D postcards (planes with 3D properties). If your starting layer is a text layer, any transparency is retained.
- Wrap a 2D layer around a 3D object, such as a cone, cube, or cylinder.
- Create a 3D mesh from the grayscale information in a 2D image.
- Simulate a metalworking technique called repoussé by extruding a 2D object in 3D space. See Create 3D repoussé.
- Build a 3D volume from a multi-frame file such as a DICOM medical imaging file. Photoshop combines the individual slices of the file into a 3D object that you can manipulate in 3D space and view from any angle. You can apply various 3D volume render effects to optimize the display of various materials in the scan, such as bone or soft tissue. See Create a 3D volume.
Note:
You can add a 3D postcard to an existing3D scene to create a surface that displays shadows and reflectionsfrom other objects in the scene.
- Open a 2D image and select the layer you want to convertto a postcard.
- The 2D layer is converted to a 3D layer in the Layers panel.The 2D layer content is applied as a material to both sides of thepostcard.
- The original 2D layer appears in the Layers panel as theDiffuse texture map for the 3D postcard object. (See 3Dpanel overview.)
- The 3D layer retains the dimensions of the original 2D image.
- (Optional) To add the 3D postcard as a surface plane to a 3D scene, merge the new 3D layer with an existing 3D layer containing other 3D objects, then align it as necessary. (See Combine 3D objects.)
- To retain the new 3D content, export the 3D layer in a 3Dfile format or save it in PSD format. (See Export3D layers.)
Depending on the object type you choose, the resulting3D model can contain one or more meshes. The Spherical Panoramaoption maps a panoramic image inside a 3D sphere.
- Open a 2D image and select the layer that you want toconvert to a 3D shape.
- Choose 3D > New Shape From Layer, and select a shape fromthe menu. Shapes include single-mesh objects like a donut, sphere,or hat, as well as multiple mesh objects such as a cone, cube, cylinder,soda can, or wine bottle.Note:You can add your own customshapes to the shape menu. Shapes are Collada (.dae) 3D model files.To add a shape, place the Collada model file in the PresetsMeshesfolder inside the Photoshop program folder.
- The2D layer is converted to a 3D layer in the Layers panel.
- The original 2D layer appears in the Layers panel as a Diffusetexture map. It may be used on one or more surfaces of the new 3Dobject. Other surfaces may be assigned a default diffuse texturemap with a default color setting. See 3Dpanel overview.
- (Optional) Use the Spherical Panorama option if you are using a panoramic image as your 2D input. This option converts a complete 360 x 180 degree spherical panorama to a 3D layer. Once converted to a 3D object, you can paint areas of the panorama that are typically difficult to reach, such as the poles or areas containing straight lines. For information on creating a 2D panorama by stitching images together, see Create 360 degree panoramas.
- Export the 3D layer in a 3D file format or save in PSD formatto retain the new 3D content. See Export3D layers.
The New Mesh from Grayscale command converts a grayscaleimage into a depth map, which translates lightness values into asurface of varying depth. Lighter values create raised areas inthe surface, darker values create lower areas. Photoshop then appliesthe depth map to one of four possible geometries to create a 3Dmodel.
- Open a 2D image and select one or more layers that youwant to convert to a 3D mesh.
- (Optional) Convert the image to grayscale mode. (Choose Image> Mode > Grayscale, or use Image > Adjustments > Black& White to fine-tune the grayscale conversion.Note:Ifyou use an RGB image as input when creating a mesh, the green channel isused to generate the depth map.
- (Optional) Make adjustments to the grayscale image if necessaryto limit the range of lightness values.
- Choose 3D > New Mesh From Grayscale, and then select amesh option.Applies depth map data to a planar surface.Creates two planes reflected along a central axis and appliesdepth map data to both planes.Applies depth map data outward from the center of a verticalaxis.Applies depth map data radially outward from a center point.
Photoshop creates a 3D layer containing the new mesh. It alsocreates Diffuse, Opacity, and Planar Depth Map texture maps forthe 3D object, using the original grayscale or color layer.
![Photoshop Photoshop](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125698795/868131351.jpg)
You can reopen the Planar Depth Map as a Smart Object at anytime and edit it. When you save it, the mesh is regenerated.
![Photoshop Photoshop](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7WHaHHIMPa0/maxresdefault.jpg)
Note:
The Opacity texture map does not appear in the Layers panel,because that map uses the same texture file as the Diffuse map (theoriginal 2D layer). When two texture maps reference the same file,the file appears only once in the Layers panel.
Usingthe Photoshop Animation timeline, you can create 3D animations that movea 3D model through space and change the way it displays over time.You can animate any of the following properties of a 3D layer:
- 3D object or camera position. Use the 3D position orcamera tools to move the model or 3D camera over time. Photoshopcan tween frames between position or camera movements to createsmooth motion effects.
- 3D render settings. Change render modes, with the abilityto tween transitions between some render modes. For example, changeVertices mode gradually to Wireframe over time, to simulate thesketching-in of a model’s structure.
- 3D cross section. Rotate an intersecting plane to displaya changing cross section over time. Change cross section settingsbetween frames to highlight different model areas during an animation.
For high quality animations, you can render each animation frameusing the Render for Final Output render setting. See Changerendering effects.
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How can we define what’s a photo effect? That was my main concern when I started scouring the web to build this list. Despite of this situation, I had one thing clear: the final result had to be quite different from the orignal picture and be recognized as a post production photo manipulation.
That idea would leave all kind of complex photo retouching and subtle color correction out of the discussion. I’ve already gathered some of those tutorials in my Guide to Photoshop digital makeover and Horror, blood and gore photoshop tutorials articles.
So, with that idea in mind, I gathered what I consider 100 of the best photo effects Photoshop tutorials available on the web.