Adobe Photoshop CS3: Aura Effect for Dummies

In this Instructable I'm going to show you how to make a "Aura Effect" using Adobe Photoshop CS3. It is possible to do this in nearly any version of Adobe Photoshop, the process just might differ slightly.

First I will show you the tools that we're going to be using, which we will need the Gradient Tool, and the Pen Tool.

Step 1 Selecting and using your Gradient

Select your Gradient Tool and clicking on the Gradient Color Settings on the top menu, pick the colors you want the background to be. For what we're doing here, I usually stick with colors close to the same side of the color wheel, of different hues.

For this instructable I choose a deep purple blue fading to a blue teal.

Start from bottom to top with your Gradient, and as long as you HOLD SHIFT the Gradient will stay straight all the way up the page.

Comments

[absolute zero]

ive have done everything the same as u but i get my"aura" gradient and it wont let me use it. i click and it says "could not use the gradient tool because the content of the layer is not directly editable" plz help me

[xlr83r]

hey u just have to right click the layer and click rasterize/ convert to smart object and then try again. it should work, good luck!!!!!! :)

[maruawe]

Either you locked the layer or it is the background layer --- first check that you have made a second layer to work on < put the initial gradient the right click on the layer and duplicate the layer 2. If you do not delete the layer that you used the pen tool on the mask is not functional Use the pen tool- select the area - then delete the mask layer and you can coy and paste from the gradient layer. 3.check the lock on the layers menu if it is closed then it is locked , click on the lock icon to unlock when it is open then you can use the layer 4 right click on the layer if the rasherize layer is black then click on that to rasherize the layer and have a workable layer

[inminor]

I don't understand how to use the gradient tool like you. i just get i white circle. What am i doing wrong?

[itskeiser]

Any chance you know how to do this in illustrator for cs3? the gradient tool seems different

[mrgy05]

Yes, though, Illustrator is based off vectors and not bitmap images like Photoshop, so it is more difficult (you have to mask gradient layers of opacity) I can try to add an instructable if you still need to know how.

[Ashinka]

The pen tool Isnt THAT hard to use.

[GorillazMiko]

these things come with your mac, these are awesome!

[mrgy05]

Yeah, and Windows Vista has a background that uses a type of concept too. I've also seen it used on the PSP, DS, and many websites / images I can't seem to count.