Simple snow on logo tutorial
In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to create the impression of settled snow on top of text or image.
Step One
Firstly, get a image you want to work with. I’d suggest a logo with loads of curves and edges where you can go overboard with the snow. Open up your chosen image in Photoshop.
Now add a background gradient so the snow stands out when we make it. Change your foreground and background colours. On mine I chose #545353 and #3c3c3c respectively.
Create a new layer - Ctrl + Shift + N - and place it at the bottom of the layers pallet.
Click on the Gradient tool - 
- and drag the crosshair - 
- over the new layer to create the gradient.
You will end up with something like below.
Step Two
Now that we have the basics sorted, it’s time to make the snow. Select the Lasso tool - 
- and make sure that the Add to selection box is selected - 
- this way we can make more than one area of snow at a time.
Now, roughly draw some snow on the top of your image. It doesn’t have to be smooth, we will do that later.
As you can see below - click image for full sized version - I’ve placed snow where it should naturally fall. I did this fast so it may not be accurate, you should spend more time on yours.
Keep your selection. Once you are happy with step two, continue below.
Step Three
In this step, we’re going to partly make the snow texture. With your selection selected, click on Channels in the layer pallet.
Click on the Create new channel icon - 
- make sure this channel is at the bottom of the list. You will now see a black canvas with your selection intact.
Press D on your keyboard to default your foreground and background colours. Make sure that white is the foreground. Click on the Paint bucket tool - 
- and fill in the selections. When that’s done, press Ctrl + D to deselect.
You will now have something like below.
Step Four
While in your Channel section of your layers pallet with Alpha 1 selected, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and give the radius a value of 2 or 3 depending on the size of your snow selection.
Now go to Image > Adjustment > Levels it may look blank, but this will do something. Change the top sliders to 40, 1.95 and 85.
Note: You may need to adjust your sliders specifically for your design. Just remember, it needs to leave the snow looking sharp and smooth.
Switch to layer view by clicking Layers in the layers pallet - see top of step three for screenshot - go to Select > Load Selection and under the Channel option, make sure Alpha 1 is selected.
Create a new layer - Ctrl + Shift + N.
Then fill the selection - on the new layer - with white. Shift + F5 and Use: White. Press Ctrl + D to deselect the selection.
Step Five
In the layers pallet Right Click on the layer you just made and select Blending Options. Click on the Bevel and Emboss tab. Make sure the box next to it is ticked so the changes are made.
Change your values to match with the values below.
Click OK in Blending options to confirm the values you just entered. Your finished! Look at your canvas to see your new design.
Conclusion
If you spent more time than I did on Step Two - making the selections - your result will be much better than mine.
Below is one I spent some time on. As you can see I’ve added a Santa hat to add to give to the impression of Christmas. My logo below It should give you an idea on what the final outcome should look like if time is taken.
Steven - Administrator
Add comment December 14th, 2008
