Last time, I bled the outlines of the main title text. In this lesson, I’ll show you how to add a grunge effect.

This includes steps to not only create a scratched look, but also to make the text easier to read.

 

[1] Rotating and arranging the text

At first, I will rotate the text diagonally according to the design.

 

I select [Edit] menu > [Transform] > [Scale up/Scale down/Rotate] and drag a point around the image, or edit the [Rotation angle] on the [Tool Property] palette to edit the angle.

 

In this example, I set the [Rotation angle] to -8.

 

[2] Creating a layer folder/layer mask for the grunge process

The grunge process requires layer folders and layer masks.

 

 

 

■ Creating a layer folder

 

You can create a layer folder by selecting the [Layer] menu > [New Layer Folder], or clicking the [New Layer Folder] icon on the [Layer] palette.

I changed the name of the layer folder to “Logo”.

 

 

 

■ Creating a layer mask

 

I will set a layer mask to the “Logo” folder.

I’ll also create a selection area from the angled title logo in [1].

 

① If I click the layer thumbnail while clicking the Ctrl key, I can create a selection area that contains the parts drawn on the layer.

 

② While I can see the selection area from ①, I create a folder called “Logo”. Then, I select the [Layer] palette > [Create layer mask] and create a layer mask hiding the area outside the selection area.

 

Now I’ve added a layer mask on the “Logo” folder. This makes the images stored in this folder only visible within the masked area (the shape of the title logo in this example).

 

Finally, I set the color of the “Logo” folder to white.

You can set the layer color in the [Layer property] palette.

In addition, I click the eye icon on the original logo layer to hide it temporarily. I will use this layer later on.

 

[3] Adding a grunge texture

I store the texture required for the grunge process in the “Logo” folder created in step [2].

 

In order to import the texture, I can either drag and drop the texture image from the file location to the “Logo” folder of the [Layer] palette, or select [File] menu > [Import] > [Image].

 

This time, I used the texture image "Stamp texture" as in the figure below.

 

(2) The texture is imported as an image material layer.

 

In order to make the white part of the texture transparent, I will convert it from an image material layer to a raster layer.

I select [Layer] menu > [Convert Layer] to display the [Convert Layer] dialog box.

 

Then, I change the [Type] to [Raster layer], [Expression color] to [Gray], only select black on the [Expression color] buttons. I click [OK] to apply these settings.

Read the following article to learn more about how to use expression colors and drawing colors in layer settings.

 

Note:

When you paste a image from a different canvas, or copy and paste from a clipboard, there is no need to convert the layer type as it will be handled as a raster layer.

If you want the white part to become transparent, you can easily do this from the [Edit] menu > [Convert brightness to opacity].

 

(3) After converting the layer, the white parts become transparent and the letters take on the texture pattern.

▲ The [Layer color] of the “Logo” folder was set to white in step [2], so the black text appears as white.

 

[4] Adjusting the readability

Although the grunge process adds an interesting texture, it also makes the text difficult to read.

 

If you decide to use the text as decoration, you can keep it as it is. However, if it needs to be readable, such as for the title text or other important information such as location, date, or time, you will need to make further adjustments.

 

(1) I create a black [Fill] layer above the “Stamp texture” layer in the “Logo” folder.

I select [Layer] menu > [New Layer] > [Fill] and choose black on the displayed [Color settings] dialog box.

 

(2) I click [OK] to create a layer filled in black.

Note: Although I set the layer color to black, the logo still appears white because the layer color of the overall folder is white.

 

When you create a fill layer, it also comes with a [Layer mask] without anything hidden.

Since I want to temporarily erase the color, I select the thumbnail of the [Layer mask] and delete the drawing part from [Edit] menu > [Clear] (Shortcut key: Delete).

I change the layer name to “Readability” for clarity’s sake.

 

(3) For the parts where the texture is too faded, I erase the mask of the “Readability” layer.

I am using a brush based on the texture image stored in the “Logo” folder.

If you use a brush similar to the texture, it will look more natural.

 

(4) I use the brush from the previous step to paint while thinking about the edges of the letters.

 

(5) In the final step, I display the original logo image layer and change the blending mode to [Color burn].

I lower the opacity to 50%, and now my text is complete!

 

You can add dates and other text to the poster in a similar way.

By creating a selection area from the text layer, and setting the selection area to the same “Logo” folder’s layer mask, you can add letters with the same effect.

 

In the final part, I will explain how to finish off the poster with decorations using the [File object] function.