Step 1: Starting Image

A good example would be a paper texture, so let’s start with something like the image below.

Step 2: Secondary Image

My favorite genre of images for this technique would be nebulas. I like to use nebulas because they are very diverse, unique, and colorful. So pick out a nebula image from around the web and lets get started. This won’t take long at all.

Step 3: Invert the secondary image.

Open your starting image in Photoshop an put the secondary image on the layer above it. Then invert the secondary image by hitting Command/Control + I. You should now have something like this:

Step 4: Layer Mode

In the Layers panel, change the layer mode of your secondary (inverted) image to “Linear Burn.” Note: this doesn’t have to be the layer mode you use, sometimes I go with screen, overlay, or soft light for the most part.

Now you should have something like this:

Step 5: Opacity

I would say about 99% of the time, I like to adjust the opacity of the secondary image layer to let a little more of the starting (background) texture shine through.

Result:

And there you have it, a much more interesting texture from 2 simple images, in less than a minute, without using brushes at all. This is one of my favorite, yet simple ways to add a little something extra to mundane textures. I hope you enjoyed the tutorials, and don’t forget to play around with the layer modes. It really depends on the secondary image.

Photoshop: How to Make a Subtle Worn Texture from Jay Hilgert on Vimeo.

Link to the “Simply Worn Free Textures »

Start with a cool texture image.

The Setup

If you want to make a large brush, the maximum size is 2500 pixels (height or width, either one) Also, if you are running CS1 or earlier, your max size is probably 1000px. So with that said, you can create your file. Then place your image and get it positioned.

The Secret of Brush Making:

Our next step is to convert our image to black and white. Why? Because when making a brush, Photoshop treats pure white as 100% transparent, and pure black as 100% opaque. This is great because it means we don’t have to do any clipping and the images we use to make brushes can be very complex and still turn out decent.

Convert to Black & White

There are multiple ways to convert to black and white but I like to either add an adjustment layer or simply go to Image > Adjustments > Black and White.

Make your adjustments until you’re happy with your image. (doesn’t have to be perfect)

Additional Adjustments

Next, you have a lot of adjustment options, but I find the tweaking the “Levels” usually gets the job done. (Image > Adjustments > Levels) or CMND/CTRL + L.

Final Step:

Once your happy with your image simply go to the Edit menu and select “Define Brush Preset.”

Name the brush if you want and then click “Ok.”

Done!

Now you have a brand new texture brush in your brushes palette. And you can do things like go from this:

To this in a single click:

It’s not a complicated process, but I’ve found texture brushes to be the most useful in my toolset. Hopefully you can too. Oh, and don’t forget to save your brushes from the brush palette menu or you’ll lose all your hard work!

Step 1

Make sure your vector shape is on top of your texture.

Step 2

Select BOTH your texture and the vector shape, then right click or control click and select “Make Clipping Mask.” (You can also go to the Object menu and select Clipping Mask > Make, or hit Command/Control +7.)

Step 3

Done! Now, that you have your texture masked to fill your shape, you’ll notice that Illustrator has made the texture and the path into a new group. You can move the group as a whole with the Select tool, or you can use the Direct Select tool to move the texture itself, without moving the path, and vice versa.

Screenshot:

Here’s a preview of a few of the brushes in the set:

Installation:

1. Download the file and unzip it.

2. Copy the .abr file to your Photoshop/Presets/Brushes folder.

3. In your Photoshop Brushes palette, click on the arrow in the upper right and click on “Load Brushes.”

4. Navigate until you find the file and load it (Photoshop/Presets/Brushes/BB_HiRes_Grunge_textures.abr )