In this tutorial, we’re going to create a realistic rock text effect using two images of real rocks.
We’ll start out by creating the background using the lighting effects filter, then well create the text by applying layer masks, layer styles, and a few adjustment layers. To finalize the effect, I’ll show you a few techniques you can use to enhance the lighting in the image. In this tutorial we’ll just focus on just one letter, but you can use this same technique on multiple letters to create a word.
Although we’ll use various techniques, and a number of adjustment layers to create a realistic effect. It is a very simple tutorial suitable for users of all levels. So give it a try.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them down below.
Final Image
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Joe says
May 28, 2013 at 5:57 pmI didn’t get past the filter step in the tutorial. Once I made the rock a smart object, the lighting effects filter grayed out.
Photoshop Training Channel says
May 29, 2013 at 12:07 amHey Joe,
What version of Photoshop are you using?
Garry says
May 29, 2013 at 1:48 pmAnother great tutorial Jesús. How realistic the effect looks is quite amazing.
Photoshop Training Channel says
May 29, 2013 at 2:20 pmThanks Garry! Glad you liked it!
C Hernandez says
May 29, 2013 at 2:10 pmBecause I do not use ANY of the social networks, does this mean I cannot download the tutorials, or tutorial files, for subscribers only?
Photoshop Training Channel says
May 29, 2013 at 2:20 pmC Hernandez,
It’s not required for you to click on the social media icons to download the files. There is a gray “X” on the top right you can click on to download the files!
William says
June 6, 2013 at 4:37 pmSo I’m watching the eye tutorial and in the multi color eyes the second eye seems to have a bit of a drop for me. I’m not sure how to fill with white or black. I got to that point following along and all was good and then smack. I think it is a great tutorial. I’m trying to improve my PS knowledge so maybe I’m not to this point yet. Would like to know what the steps were after you realized that you needed to delete the other eye and fill with white no black. That’s where you lost me.
Photoshop Training Channel says
June 19, 2013 at 3:21 pmWilliam, you fill with White or Black on the layer mask. I use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl Backspace, and Alt Backspace (to fill with foreground and background colors). Black hides pixels, and white shows them.
brandon says
August 11, 2014 at 12:07 amI didn’t get past the filter step in the tutorial. Once I made the rock a smart object, the lighting effects filter blacked out. i am using the latest version of PS
Photoshop Training Channel says
October 21, 2014 at 12:18 pmAre you using a 16 or 32 bit image? Lightning Effects only works on 8 bit images.
Baast says
December 11, 2014 at 7:48 amHi, thanks for this tuto, here is my version : https://www.behance.net/gallery/21974797/Jurassic-world-typographic-fan-art
Photoshop Training Channel says
December 16, 2014 at 11:37 amAwesome! Thanks for sharing.
Interesting that you call it “Jurassic world”, my next tutorial is on recreating that movie poster!
Gordon says
May 6, 2015 at 5:30 amI’m still in the beginner stage. I find you tutorials very helpful. There are so many things to remember in PS. but that will come with practice. Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Photoshop Training Channel says
May 10, 2015 at 9:36 pmThank you, Gordon. I’m glad you find my tutorials useful!
Larry says
October 25, 2015 at 3:21 pmJust an idea to improve your tutorials. Attach a step by step description of “how to do it. Short not over page would greatly help in following your tutorials.
Christiana says
July 18, 2016 at 9:19 amhey 🙂 awesome tutorial, i love it!! I also commented this on the youtube video, but thought I would also post here because it’s urgent:p One question – if I want to add another word at the end of all the steps, how do i? I went into the original text and added another word, but it doesn’t show. And it took me a while to create the text, so is there a way to add the new word without having to start from the beginning again?
Photoshop Training Channel says
July 24, 2016 at 12:55 amChristina,
Depends on the word. You probably will have to do a lot of changes that it might be easier to start over. Just because the masking is specific to each letter. So unless you have very similar words then I would just start over again. You’ll get better results. If you would like to save a bit of time, you could copy characters that appear on the second word and use those.