Create a Realistic Outer Space Scene in Photoshop
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to create a realistic looking outer space image with your own home made galaxy. Without using any stock photos or any material at all besides Photoshopís filters, effects, and blending modes you will create a vibrant and lifelike creation you can use for numerous applications. Let’s begin!
Step 1:
Create a new document, this one was done at 1280p x 800p. Start by adding a subtle Circular Gradient for the Background. Keep in mind that wherever you place the center of the Gradient will be the center of your design (Note: When making things in outer space I always fade to absolute black in the background, after all it is outer space right?). For mine I used a dark grey color for the center and black for the outer color. I then placed it in the bottom right corner of the image.
Step 2:
Create a new layer. Make sure your foreground/background are set to black/white. Go to Filter>Render>Clouds. Now to add some color! On the new cloud layer you created go to the layer styles dialogue box. Select Gradient Overlay, when in the Gradient Overlay settings choose a colorful gradient that you enjoy. Next put a slight angle on the gradient effect, I used 100º for mine and scaled it slightly to taste. Though the scaling is not necessary you’ll find it fun to mess with later in this project. The last but most crucial part of this step is to set the blending mode within the gradient overlay settings to Overlay. After this last part you should see that we basically “colored” the clouds with a gradient, while preserving their texture.
Step 3:
In the Layers Palette make sure you have the Cloud Layer still selected. Set the Blending Mode at the top of the Layers Palette to Overlay. This will drastically darken your image but fear not, we’re not even close to done yet.
Step 4:
Duplicate the Cloud Layer you made in Step 2. Bring up the Layer Styles Dialogue Box and in the Gradient Overlay settings of the your copied cloud layer set the angle to something different, I used -140º for mine. What this does it divide the color a little more unevenly so the colors aren’t just divided into straight lines which will make our galaxy look authentic.
Step 5:
Now we’ll create some space dust. On a new layer, fill the entire image with black. Select Filter>Noise>Add Noise. In the Add Noise Dialogue Box choose something between 12% and 17% and make sure that Distribution is set to Gaussian, also select Monochromatic. If it’s not dusty enough for you at this point, bring up the Level Adjustment Dialogue Box and play with the settings until you achieve the dust effect you desire. Set this layers Blending Mode to Color Dodge.
Step 6:
This step is similar to the last one, yet in this one we’re making distant stars as apposed to dust. Follow Step 5 just as you had before, but this time add more Noise and mess with the Levels a lot. I used 115, 1.00, 150 for the setting on my own levels adjustments. Set this layers Blending Mode to Color Dodge.
Step 7:
In this step use a hard edged brush and erase away the stars in the darker areas of the image. Don’t be too uniform though because weíre trying to maintain the randomness and authenticity of the galaxy. You can also take this time to clear away any cloudy areas you may not desire in you image.
Step 8:
On a new layer, create some clouds like we did in Step 2 but without any color or layer styles. Set this layers Blending Mode to Color Dodge. This should intensify the colors and light of your galaxy and you should see it taking form. You can repeat this layer to furthermore intensify the effect if you want. Feel free to trim up this layer as desired. But only in the spots where you want more black void and less galactic dust!
Step 9:
Find a somewhat brightened spot in your galaxy. I usually aim for where I think the center or “sun” of the galaxy will be. Create a new layer, fill it with black, adjust the opacity to you can see through to the galaxy, mark a tiny white spot where you want your sun to originate, create a lens flare centered on this white spot. For galaxies I always use the 105mm Type of Lens Flare because it looks more white than the others, and looks more realistic in an outer space image. A key element to this is setting the Layers Blending Mode to Linear Dodge. This will make our flare dazzle up our image very nicely. Place this Layer right underneath the Cloud Layer you made in Step 8.
Step 10:
Now we’ll create some real stars. In another image on a black background add a tiny Lens Flare. Make it the size of the largest star that you want. Set this layers Blending Mode to Screen. Duplicate the layer and scale it a down a little. Repeat this process a few times scattering different sized stars around your new image. Try and keep the ratios of stars natural, make lots of small stars and only a few big ones. As the size decreases the amount of them should increase. Merge all the layers, then duplicate that layer. Set it’s Blending Mode to Screen. Now scale and rotate it to make it less similar then the copy. Merge Layers. Now you have made some stars!
Step 11:
Copy this stars image to your galaxy and set it’s Blending Mode to Linear Dodge, this will make them glow. Move the image around a little until it suits your eye. You can add more stars or less depending on how complex you want it to be. Feel free to trim it up a bit in the areas you don’t want stars to appear.
Step 12:
At this point the galaxy is done. You can now add your own touches to make it unique! Enjoy!
Final Image:
Hi, in step 9, my lens flare function is being disabled. what should i do?
Learn how to create a realistic outer space scene in Photoshop using no stock images, but only filters!
I always like finding new techniques and such for space environments. I made a whole wallpaper pack combining several techniques actually. You can check it out here: [ http://nokadota.deviantart.com/art/NebulaWP-Pack-the-ReUp-96810132 ] If you’re interested of course.
Great tutorial. More techniques to add to my arsenal.
Hi Alec
Really nice tut. I am a newbie to designing.
Can you do me a favour, I need some very good tutorials links to learn these kinds of techniques to make my skills much better.
Please forward me the useful links so that i can make my career in Graphic Designing.
I will be very thankful to you for your kind help.
Thanks & Regards
Lokesh Yadav
Instead of “Color Dodge”, duplicating layers,making duplicate one “Screen” and manually using dodge tool will give nicer and custom effect i think.
Thank you good tutorial
Wow, great tutorial. I like how you used the lens flare to make it look a bit more exciting. Usually when I try to do these the overall composition looks a bit flat.
I have a problem with the noise: when I use the Level correction, and clic ok, some noise reapears on the picture like if I didn’t do something!
Someone could help me?
(Sorry for my english, I’m french
Your tutorial is very nice !
But I have one problem,
I’m not able to save it in another format than PSD…
Nice, some new techniques to try out as soon as I get home. Many thanks!
great tutorial. i want to use this tut on one of my pics. how can i show u da final result?
@Chris: The easiest way to show me your designs is by adding them to the Fugegraphics User Showcase Group on Flickr
I can’t do anything with the Levels settings. It doesn’t change anything. I actual can’t do anything with the Noise Layer. Not even re-color it.
Yeah same thing with the levels, but without it, it looks great as well. Great tutorial. Thanks
I cannot even create the background gradient
. How did you do that? Do I draw a circle then give it a gradient of grey and black or or do you mean whole rectangle background?
Hmm… For me, the small lens flares looks like a galaxy cluster consisting elliptical galaxies. Still, the tutorial is excellent, thank you for sharing us!
I’m having a problem when I overlay the clouds. Whenever I overlay my cloud goes immediately black. Any tips?
One of the best Photoshop space tutorials although its actually a nebula, not a galaxy!
“I can’t do anything with the Levels settings. It doesn’t change anything.”
The same for me. I’m using CS 5 and I have only 2 gigs of RAM. I think this is the problem.
I second Nicola with her comment “I cannot even create the background gradient. How did you do that? Do I draw a circle then give it a gradient of grey and black or or do you mean whole rectangle background?”. I got the other steps up to #6 but got frustrated because my initial gradient (step 1) was using a circle so it’s all contained in a literal circle, giving the rainbow/clouds hard circular edges, not the flowing gaseous look you made…
Thanks for putting this together I am often wondering how to make the correct space scene, looking for the correct brush! It looks like I need to use the filters more.
Definitely one of the better star/nebula tutorials
@ALan, if your Lens Flare cant be used, if you’re working in CMYK you need to change it to RGB. if thats not what you mean… my bad haha.
@MapieH, you might need to change your document to an 8/bit file.. that might help?
Great tutorial, thank you.
Just wanted to say that this tutorial is wonderful. It provides enough information to get stunning results if you follow it to the letter, but by messing with the “gradient” layer I’ve made some really incredible nebula dragons. They’re not the most amazing artwork out there, but I am quite happy with out they turn out. You did a very, very good job outlining the different ways this works, leaving plenty of room for creativity. Thank you, and well done!
Every time i put my clouds to the overlay, they only reach out to the edge of the circle we made, any tips?
Thank you so very much for this tutorial, it has helped me a lot and the result is amazing! Really, thank you a lot!
Hello, this tut is great!. Can I traslate to spanish and upload on other website?
I like this Realistic Outer Space Scene in Photoshop tutorial thank you very much .
hi there.. uhm.. that galaxy thing is aswesome how do u that
This is amazing! Thank you so much! I am a bit confused about the noise for the stars in step 6. When I try to use the zoom tool, or try to save the image as a JPEG or anything other than a Photoshop image, the noise kind of covers up the whole picture, instead of looking like stars in the background. I’m not sure why this happens, usually Photoshop works for me without any problems
.