Photoshop Tutorial: Create a Spiral Galaxy in 5 Easy Steps
This tutorial will teach you how to create a Spiral Galaxy in Photoshop using nothing but filters and simple transformation tools. The tutorial is aimed at beginners and you’ll learn techniques involving different transformation modes, the clouds filter, selection option and using blending modes. Should you run into any trouble feel free to leave a comment to enquire about it. So lets get started.
1. Document Setup
Open a new document, 1920px by 1200px and fill the background with a dark grey #131313.
2. Render Clouds
Create a new layer. Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool and set Feather to 50px. Draw a circular selection as shown below making sure there’s some space from the top and bottom. Hold down Shift to make a perfect circle.
Press “D” to set Foreground and Background colours to Black & White. Go to Filter > Render > Clouds. Set the new layer’s Blending Mode to Soft Light.
3. Create Spiral
Hit Cmd + T (Ctrl + T) to enter the Free Transform Mode. Switch to Warp Modes and choose Twist. Set the Bend to -100%.
Duplicate the layer (Cmd/Ctrl + J). With the new layer selected repeat the twist transformation (using the same settings) 2 times. Your image should look similar to the one below.
Select the bottom layer (Galaxy Spiral BG) and reduce the scale it down from the centre to about 87%.
4. Add Colours
Create a new layer on top and set its Blending Mode to Soft Light. Use a large, circular brush with hardness set to 0 to add some colour to the galaxy. Use the Ereaser to delete any colours outside the galaxy.
5. Give it some Perspective
Select both Spiral layers (hold down Cmd while selecting) and enter the Free Transform mode (Cmd/Ctrl + T). Hold Cmd/Ctrl and select the anchor points to distort the galaxy. Use the image as guideline.
6. Extra Bit: Add Pattern Texture
To finish off we’re gonna add pattern texture to the design. Create a new layer on top. Use a simple Black & White checkered pattern. (Mine can be downloaded here. Open the jpg in Photoshop and go to Edit>Define Patter). Fill the new layer with the pattern and set it to Multiply at 70% opacity. That’s it.
7. Final image
I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! I encourage you to play around with different colours and patterens as well as applying these techniques to different designs.
Was already waiting for this tutorial since you tweeted the result. Looks very good mate – might want to give it a “spin” (haha – word joke) later too!
Keep up the great work
.
@Marco: It took me a bit longer to complete than expected
Glad you like it mate!
Cool. Really cool tutorial.
The result is great and you are right just 5 easy steps.
Thanks!
wow, very easy tutorial and to get the result. good work
Well… That was easy, thanks for sharing!
Cool tutorial, Franz. But, you missed the stars
– A bit of noise and adjusting the levels will add stars and make it look more realistic.
Doing this in 5 steps is awesome
Loved it!!
Glad you all like the tutorial.
@Richie: I didn’t add any stars on purpose. Wanted to keep it as simple as possible and leave enough room for people to experiment and add their own touch to it.
Wow quick and easy. Could be really useful for a bunch of different projects. Thanks!
Another useful guide broken down into easy steps. I plan on sharing this with some folks I know will be able to benefit.
what font did you use? great tutorial btw!
Thanks for the comments. They’re much appreciated. Happy you enjoyed the tutorial.
@James: The font is called “Avenir” which is a commercial font. One alternative would be “Nevis” which is free to download here: http://www.tenbytwenty.com/products/typefaces/nevis
@Franz: Firstly, my appreciation for sharing your creativity
The design is simply dazzling! Love it…
I’m naturally taken by the cosmos, and you’ve embraced it quite well by showing us how to create this fabulous spiral galaxy…
Blessed Light,
Aline [@ArtWave]
Thanks for the interesting and easy to follow tutorial. I appreciate the added resource.
It’s so good.. Merci
please sumbody help me for using the blending mode of layer
While the structure of the galaxy looks good, the colour could be greatly improved. Galaxies are never the same colour across all parts, usually spiral arms are light blue and the core is yellow.
Very impressed thanks for sharing this tutorial:)
Nice outcome. I feel like in Star Treck when I look at the end result. You could have put some stars as well to add a more cosmic feel
Hi Franz,
When I select softlight for blending mode, my picture looks nothing like yours, I am not sure what im missing?
Really like this one ,Great tutorial mate thank you so much for sharing .