-This tutorial shows how to make a crack in darkness, with sunlight filtering through.

 

 

1

a. Start out by making a new file 400 x 400 px

b. Fill your background layer with black (Alt + Backspace)

c. Click on the Channels Tab in the Layers Palette.

d. Then click on the New Channel Button

e. Hit D to make sure your colors are black and white

f. Select the Gradient Tool drag the gradient tool starting where the arrow begins and drag towards the point.

g. Your gradient should look like this (except bigger)

 

 

 

 

2

a. Go to Filter>Render>Difference Clouds

b. You should have a blackish streak down the center of your image, if you don't start over.

c. This shape is the main aspect of this design, if you don't like the way it looks redo it.

 

 

 

3

a. Go to Image>Adjustments>Levels... or hit ctrl + L

and use these settings:

 

4

a. Your image should now look like this.

b. Hold ctrl and click on the alpha 1 channel to load its selection.

c. Now Go back to the Layers Palette.by clicking on the Layers tab in the Channels Palette.

d. Make a new layer by hitting the new layer button.

e. Making sure you're on the new layer, fill the selection with white (Alt + Backspace), then deselect (Ctrl + D)

f. Finally name the layer Crack. Then make a copy of it by dragging the layer from the Layers Palette into the new layer button.

g.Name the layer you just made Rays

 

 

 

5

a. Make a new layer and name it clouds.

b. Go to Filter>Render>Clouds

c. Then in the Layers Pallete change the clouds layer's blending mode to Color Dodge

d. Take note of the arrangement of the layers, your layers should be in the same order.

6

a. Now go back to the Rays layer.

b. Go to Filter>Blur>Radial Blur...

c. Use these settings, take note of the "Blur Center" if it determines the direction of the rays, so move it around to where you want it.

 

 

 

6

a. This is the part where you kind of have to play it by ear.

b. As it is the Rays layer is really light, almost invisible. To make it more visible make a copy of it by dragging the Rays layer into the new layer button

c. Then hit Ctrl + E to merge the two layers together.

d. Next hit Ctrl + F to repeat the Radial Blur filter.

e. Repeat these steps until the Rays layer is the size and brightness you want.

f. After you have the Rays layer the way you want it go to Filter>Blur>Blur More to degrain the image a little bit.

g. Next click on the Crack layer, click on the left side of the crack with the Magic Wand tool. Then click on the Rays layer and hit backspace to clear the selection. Finally hit Ctrl + D to deselect.

 

 

 
7. Apply this Layer Style to the Cracks layer

-There you have it, a crack with sunlight filtering through. Not bad.

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