How to Add Dimension and Texture Using Lighting Effects in Photoshop

Posted by John Shaver on Oct 24, 2014 in
How to Add Dimension and Texture Using Lighting Effects in Photoshop

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Plain ol' textures are a dime a dozen these days, so it takes a little something extra to create graphics that stand out.

This tutorial will teach you how to add some depth and dimension to a flat texture using the lighting effects filter and a dash of Photoshop layer styles.


Step 1

Open your texture in Photoshop. We're using one from our Concrete and Cement Textures Pack 1.

Duplicate the background layer (CTRL + J).


Step 2

Click Filter > Render > Lighting Effects. Under "Presets" in the top menu, select Default.

Move the handles around and change the settings in the Properties panel to match the settings below.


Step 3

Double click your layer to open the Layer Style dialog. Apply the following settings to enhance the vignette.

The color used is #4D2A00.


Final Image

You can see that with a few simple steps, you can quickly transform a flat texture into something with much more depth and interest.


Were you able to use these methods on your own textures? Share your version in the comments.

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