(PS) Scanlines

[Yami]

Ever wondered how to do the omnipresent scanlines featured in quite a few signatures dotted around the place?

Grab your version of Photoshop, shouldn't matter which, and create a new 1 x 2 px document.



Next up, zoom in to around 1600% using either the magnifying glass or type it in, in the bottom left hand corner.



Select your pencil tool, then select a 1px brush from the brush drop down menu.



Simply dot the top pixel in your document, then press Ctrl + A
Next click on Edit -> Define Pattern, type a name then press OK.





Now that the pattern is defined, open up your signature image or graphic image you want to add the effect to, create a new layer, and then get your paint bucket. For this example, I used my Farore Signature Creation challange entry.



After selecting your paint bucket, look near the top of your window, and look for the drop down as seen in the picture. Change it to pattern.


Next up, you should see a new box appear on the same toolbar. Select the one with a mini graphic in, and you should get a drop-down with a variety of patterns in. Select the new one you just created.

[Yami]

Now, create a new layer in your layers window, and fill it with the pattern you just created.



Next up, select that layer, and then using the drop down, change it from where it says 'Normal' to 'Soft Light'



This should then give a similar effect:



Play around with the opacity to a desired effect on the layers window.



Make any other adjustments you want, and you should be finished. Save up, and upload to your regular place.

Final piece:

[Hylian Z]

Scanlines are a great way of introducing someone to using patterns. Good Tut. People should also play around with making diagonal scanlines and not to mention other patterns such as boxes, dots, etc.

[Zora Fisherman]

thanks for posting that! i could never figure out how to do patterns! thanks alot.

EDIT: using overlay instead of soft light works really well too and has a slightly different effect.

[Wired]

I think scanlines are better diagonally. To do that, just brush 3 diagonal dots on the 3x3 step. Good tut for beginers learning.

[.Hog]

It's nice to have a tutorial section on ZU finally.

The scanlines are simple, but can be effective when used right, and it is great for beginners who now have scanlines to add to their aresnal of effects.

[Hiro]

Nice tutorial. I've tried doing that for a long time, but I didn't know how simple they were. ;_; Thanks!

[Keaton]

Same here, Hiro!

I personally think that for darker siggies, 50 opacity works well, for medium 20. For light, I've also used 20.

[Silent Angel]

Thanks that help me out alot!