(updated, with Video) In this tutorial, I will show you how to create ice texture and icicles hanging off of the ice. You can choose any shape you like to make the ice but I will simply use the letters ICE as an example. (If you need help creating a different shape other than lettering try my tutorial on Pen/Path tool)

We are going to apply some layer effect to the object to give it a translucent texture. Check bevel and Emboss and give it some depth. If you are not sure how much to give you can always come back later and change it.

Next check the Satin, give it enough distance and size so that your object has a translucent look. Add color to correspond to the color of your original object.

If you didn’t assigned a color to your original object you can do that in Color Overlay option.

I want to exaggerate the back light effect by checking Inner Glow, change the color of the glow to your liking, it does not need to match the base color. Before you finish, make sure you have enough variation in tone such as the highlights and shadows, you don’t want the tone to be too even.

Duplicate the text layer and create an extra blank layer. Select both the duplicated text layer and blank layer and combine the two layer by going to the menu Layer – Merge Layer or Ctrl+E/CMD+E. This will rasterize the effects that was apply to the text. You now have the original unrasterized text plus an rasterized text layer.

With the layer rasterized, double click on it again and give it a gradient effect, use a pattern similar to what I have and give it a 30% opacity. Than rasterize it again using using the same method as the last step. Gradient Overlay effect is located below all the other effect option, that means it will also be render after all the other effect, that is why we have to do it separately so that the effect appears over the rest of the effect.

Now that the translucent effect is done we want to add some reflection. Make sure the original text effect is still there along with a newly duplicated layer.

To apply Chrome effect to the rasterized layer, (click on the photo to see the whole capture) go to Filter – Sketch -  Chrome, adjust Smoothness and Detail to get a balanced chrome texture. If you are unable to get a good balance, you will have to go back and adjust your layer effects, make sure your object has enough variation in tone from the highlights and shadow that Satin, Emboss and Inner glow creates, make a duplicate and rasterize it again to apply the Chrome filter.

Give the Chrome layer an Overlay Blending Mode (Click here if you want to read more about Blending Mode) . This will apply the Chrome filtered effect over the original text (we made a duplicate of the original text before we applied the Chrome effect)

Optional : you can duplicate the layer and flip it over to create a reflection on the ground, to make it fade out, apply a mask to this layer and use gradient on the mask as shown in my photo (click on the photo to see the entire capture)

The last step is to create the icicles dripping off the text. Go to menu Select – Color Range, and click on the brightest area of the text, you can see a preview of what you’ve selected. You’ve now selected all the bright area, you can also do other shades such as the darkest area or mid-tone, but I find highlighted area to look the best.

With the Color Range selection still on, create a new layer and fill the selection with white.

Now use free transform to turn it vertically counterclockwise, negative 90 degree(see full image for example)

Go to filter – stylized – wind, use Blast method and from the left, assuming you’ve turn it counterclockwise on the last step, if not make sure the wind is coming from the *top.

Now rotate the icicle right side up, and align it with the text.

This is what your final image would end up looking like. You can give some depth and reflection to the icicles with the same method. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and give it a try, feel free to post your results down at the comment below or ask any questions.

Here is a video tutorial on how to create a dramatic Metallic letter effects in Photoshop, please leave comment and questions if there is any part that is not clear.

This is part of my tutorial set. Please visit the TUTORIAL PAGE for a list of all the tutorials.

This is a video tutorial on how to create a electrifying text effect in Photoshop.

Electrifying text effects

Here is a tutorial on how to create a electrifying text effects in photoshop.

Start by creating your text and ctrl+click this layer to select all visible pixel, than on a new layer expand the selection by about 10-20 percents and fill it in with grey.

Use a MEDIAN filter to connect the letters together but not too much, just enough so that the letters are still legible.

Now add a layer effect with a metallic bevel effect. Now merge the text and the grey filled layer together.

Apply an ocean ripple filter, and a second layer on the panel with glowing edge filter, this will give it a electricity feeling.

Use Color Range to select the brightest area and on a new layer fill it with white. Hide the original layer.

Now apply a layer effect with outer glow with the color you want.

This is part of my tutorial set. Please visit the TUTORIAL PAGE for a list of all the tutorials.

Here is a Video on how to create Grass on text in Photoshop. You can apply the principle to anything else such as a golf course or grass field

So I start by giving the text some perspective by using the free transform tool, you cannot get the free transform to create perspective on text layers so you will need to rasterize it.

Next, get a new layer and add a black to white gradient to give it some shades.

Get another bland layer and add cloud, than change blending mode to linear blend, it will blend the gradient and cloud together. Now merge the 2 layers.

Apply noise to the merged layer, than turn the layer 90 degree angle and apply WIND filter, because wind filter will only blow side to side so we need to rotate the layer.

Depending on how you made the gradient earlier, you should have the darker side on the back, if not you can press Ctrl+I for invert color.

Now open the gradient color panel, and apply 2 shades of green, than roate the letters to upright position.

Go ahead and fine tune it by giving it some minor distortion until it looks right.

This is part of my tutorial set. Please visit the TUTORIAL PAGE for a list of all the tutorials.

I have create a series of fire effect tutorials for Photoshop, you should be able to use them for most fire types.

The first of the series is simple flame, these are calm controlled fire that are often seen in man made fire sources such as match/lighters or stove fire.

The second in the series is a larger type of fire, its the type of fire that can be seen before it gets out of controlled.

The third in the series is a wild fire effect often seen in forest fire or burning car with dark smoke.

The forth type is an explosion, its a smaller explosion, you probably wont see the shock wave in real life, but I added it anyway for the effects so it is up to you.