I previously wrote a post on free Photoshop actions. In the post, the list of actions was mainly for automating image effects such as applying filters and adding different effects etc. It is also possible to automate the creation of text effect through Photoshop actions. This would save you time and avoid you having to create a text effect from scratch.



Below is a list of free places for Photoshop action text effects:

• Finessefx – A large collection of unique text effects.

• jeffjoneslive – 99 really nice action text effects.

• ctionaddiction – This website it a bit outdated, but still has some nice text effects.

• downtr – A grouped file of text effects.

• indigoproductions – A small selection of free action text effects

This is a continuation from the gradient tool part 1. There are three types of gradients you can choose from which are: foreground to background, foreground to transparent, and customs. Below I will discuss and show examples of the types of gradients.


Foreground to background

This gradient type uses the current foreground and background colours for the gradient. So, the example below has a red foreground and a blue background.




Foreground to transparent

This gradient type blends the foreground colour with transparent pixels. In the example below I have used an image to show the transparent gradient. As you can see from the image only the top section has colour while the bottom section is transparent.




Custom

This gradient type is any colour you specify from gradient editor. You can also use transparency in the custom gradients.

The opacity refers to the amount of transparency of a layer. So, if the opacity is at 100% the layer is completely opaque. Whereas if the opacity is at 0% the layer will be transparent, which will mean you can see the layer below.


How do you change the opacity?

Changing the opacity of a layer simply involves moving the slider shown in the example below. To increase the opacity you move the slider to the right. And to decrease the opacity you move the slider to the left.




Opacity example

The image below is at the opacity of 100% which is the default value.



The image below is at the opacity of 50%, as you can see the image look transparent.

In this tutorial you will learn how to remove the red eye from an image using the red eye tool. Red eyes are caused by the refection of the flash in the camera. This problem is quite common, but it very easy to fix in three steps.


Remove red eyes from image

Step 1

Open an image of red eye in Photoshop.
Select the red eye tool. This tool is next to the brush tool in the tool bar.




Step 2

I would like to drawn your attention toward the options for the red eye tool. The options include: Pupil size and Darken Pupil. The Pupil size set the size of the pupil in the image, and the Darken Pupil option sets the darkness of the pupil.

I have given the following options below, but you can experiment with your image.




Step 3

Move the red eye tools cursor on top of the red eye and click the mouse once.



You should now have no red eye on your image.

In this tutorial you will learn how to apply a daydream effect to a mundane image. You will need to use various photo filters and blur filters for this tutorial. I have used a free stock image which is available from: www.sxc.hu


Daydream effect

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop.
Reset the palette by pressing the ‘D’ key.




Step 2

Select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and select a 1 pixel radius and click ok. You should get the following blurry image below:




Step 3

Select Filter > Distort > Diffuse glow and add the following settings:

• Graininess = 1
• Glow amount = 7
• Clear amount = 18

There are actually five different gradient styles to choose from which are: Linear gradient, Radial gradient, Angle gradient, Reflected gradient, and Diamond gradient. The different gradient styles are shown in the diagram below accordingly:

Linear gradient

Starts from one point to another in a straight line.




Radial gradient

Starts from one point to another in a circular pattern. The first point is the centre of the gradient.




Angle gradient

Starts in an anti-clockwise around the starting point. The size of gradient you drag marks the direction of the colour.




Reflected gradient

This gives a gradient from both sides the starting point, so you should get three stripes of colour with two colours being the same.



Diamond gradient

This gives a diamond shaped gradient.

This Photoshop tutorial will teach you how to create a neon text effect. You’ve probably seen this effect on advertisement signs in bars, hotels, and casinos etc. Neon text has a distinct fluorescent colour.

Neon text effect

Step 1

Open a new Photoshop document with the 640 x 480 size.
Fill the background with black colour using the paint bucket tool.
Select the text tool with a white colour and type your message on the stage. I used Alba font type, but you can use whatever font type you wish. Note that the neon text in signs are normally in hand written font, so you may wish to choose a hand written style font.




Step 2

Select Layer > Layer Style > Blending Option then check the colour overlay and choose a colour you want for the neon effect. I have used #67e998 colour, but you can use whatever colour you wish.


Step 3

Check the Outer Glow and add the following settings. I have used #04ef1a colour, you should select a slightly darker colour from the colour overlay. Then click ok.




Step 4

Select Layer > Rasterize > Type. Then choose Select > Load Selection and the inside of your text should be selected. Choose Select > Modify > Contract. Depending on the size of your text choose 3 or 4 pixels then click ok. Now delete the selection.



You should now Neon text effect.