Desperate to learn how to use GIMP or Pixlr or Photoshop? Want to learn HOW EXACTLY they made that beautiful cover? You've come to the right place! In our tutorial book, the Guild members will be posting tutorials of their own graphics -- through ei...
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I'll be using Pixlr Editor today because my photoshop refuses to work XD However, it's the same process for photoshop users! Again, this is a slightly more advanced tutorial: I'm assuming you know the basics of the software already.
1. Open a black canvas
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2. Go to "filter", then "noise" (may be slightly different on photoshop, but find "noise) and adjust settings to whatever you want (there must be considerable noise though). Be sure to select monochromatic!
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3. Go to "levels" and adjust as you see fit to get a starry background
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4. Then, use the rectangular marquee tool to copy a random section of your background and paste it on to the new layer. Make the size larger, then select "screen" for the mode. This is to get different sized stars. Adjust as you see fit. Remember, there are always more stars clustered around wherever the center of your nebula is going to be. Adjust levels again to make the stars brighter/dimmer by sliding the right hand slider around.
I duplicated the layer once and increased size again and erased the edges of both layers so that it blends better. As you can see, I clustered my stars around the center.
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5. FOR PIXLR USERS: Create a new layer and make it all white. Then, select a medium sized brush (I made mine 380 in diameter), select scatter, and brush using 40% opacity. Repeat with a 180 brush at 60% opacity. Keep repeating this step with smaller brushes and varying opacities for a more cloud-like effect (I just got too lazy lmao)
FOR PHOTOSHOP USERS: Create a new layer and just use the cloud effect
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6. Select "overlay" as the mode
7. Create a new layer and use the gradient tool with the colors you want for your nebula.
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8. Select "overlay"
9. Create a new layer underneath the clouds and gradient and using a soft, large, white brush (turn off scatter for Pixlr users) at a low opacity (I'm being vague on purpose because you should use the settings you see fit for your particular nebula/galaxy), brush over where you want to create the cloud. Keep brushing at a higher and higher opacity until you have the galaxy you want!
Add desired text, and then you're done!
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I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions :)
