What you will need:

• Adobe Photoshop or GIMP

Note: This tutorial was written for Adobe Photoshop. This same effect can be achieved in GIMP using nearly the same method as described below.

First, create a new document in Photoshop. The dimensions of the image don't really matter right now.

If the background color if your image is not already black, use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) and fill the Background Layer with black.

Note: This tutorial works best with dark coloured backgrounds. Although black looks the best, dark shades of grey also work well.

Now, use the Text Tool (T) to create the text you want to add the effect to. I used the font Visitor. Make sure that the text colour is set to #FFFFFF or white. Also, turn on Anti-Aliasing "Crisp"

Now, open up the Layers Dialogue Box (F7). Right click on the text layer and select Duplicate Layer. Do this three times. It helps to name each layer something unique so that you remember what it was for later on. Name the three duplicated layers (in order from top to bottom) Mosaic Pixelate, Gaussian Blur, and Motion Blur. Make sure to keep your original text layer above all the others.

Now, hide all the layers except for the Mosaic Pixelate layer. Select the text on this layer and change its colour to whatever colour you want the pixilated glow around the text to be. In my case, I’m going to choose bright green.

Note: For best results, keep the text colour bright.

Unhide all the layers. Now, we will start to add the effects to the text. On the Mosaic Pixelate layer, apply a Mosaic Pixelate by going to Filter > Pixelate > Mosaic. A dialogue box should appear saying that the text must be rasterized before you can proceed. If you are happy with the font and colour of the text you have now, press Ok. Now, another window titled "Mosaic" should appear. Adjust the Cell Size value until you achieve your desired result. Press Ok.

Now, select the Gaussian Blur layer. Add a Gaussian Blur effect by going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Click Ok to the rasterize type dialogue box that appears and adjust the Radius value in the next window that appears. Once you are happy with the effect, press Ok.

Finally, select the Motion Blur layer. Add a Motion Blur effect by going to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Click Ok to the rasterize type dialogue box that appears. Leave the Angle setting at 0 and adjust the Distance value until you achieve your desired result. Press Ok.

Final Result:

Back To Top

Tutorial © 2007 Scouter of Paragon Games