-  Back to Main  -

MUZZLE FLASH TUTORIAL
for Photoshop

This is how I've been recently creating muzzle flashes for my weapons, I use a method to try and make them look similar to the id ones.  The first thing you'll want to do is Grab the Photoshop Gradient here.  and Paint Shop Pro here.

Create a New Image you won't need anything larger than 200x100 Then create a New layer to make your muzzle flash on.

Next grab the Pencil tool and set it to 1pixel and sketch out the outline f the muzzle flash.  It's ok to be messy, in fact the messier the better.

Now Fill the outline and Select the whole thing with the Magic Wand.

Now With the Gradient tool (The one you downloaded above) create a gradient until the light area fills up a good size of the middle.

Next, Take the Smudge Tool and drag the white out to fill up the rays like shown above.  [optional] I like to take the burn tool at about 50% and run it along parts of the edges a BIT just to darken them.

Now the fun part.  Go to Filters - Pixelate - Crystalize.  I'd go with a setting of 3 (the smallest) anything higher will probably distort it too much.   [optional] occasionally I have added a noise filter to the flash to give it a grainier(?) look.  Filters - Noise - Add Noise.  Go with monochromatic and about 3.00.  That should do it.  I'm not sure yet if I like the flashes with or without the noise yet.

Die motha-fucka's Die!!!

Now all you have to do Is apply a little CTRL-C CTRL-V and put it in your wad with your gun.  AND... For TRUE authenticity, you'll also want to shade the gun barrell so that the flash gives off a glow on the gunmetal.

That's it, shows over... why are you still here?

-  Back to Main  -