In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a hologram effect in Photoshop, inspired by the Royal Blood band's Limbo song video. I will explain everything in so much detail that everyone can create the effect, even those who have just opened Photoshop for the first time.
Are you looking for a ready-made hologram or glow effect? Check out the Hologram Photoshop Action over on Envato Elements, where you can find thousands of awesome effects!
Do you prefer video tutorials over detailed written steps? Then you'll like the new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel. Learn how to create a hologram effect in Photoshop by watching this tutorial:
What You'll Learn in This Hologram Effect Photoshop Tutorial
- How to create a hologram effect
- How to add glow in Photoshop
- How to make beams
- How to add stray pixels
What You'll Need
To recreate the design above, you will need the following resources:
1. How to Start Creating a Hologram Effect
Step 1
First, create a new file. Go to File > New and set the Width and Height to 3000 px and the Resolution to 72 px/in. Then, go to File > Place Embedded, select the photo from the link, and click Place. Set the Width and Height of the layer to 100.03%, and position the photo as shown below. Name this layer Temp_1.
Step 2
Right-click on this layer and choose Rasterize Layer, press Control-A on your keyboard to make a selection of the whole canvas, and go to Image > Crop. Then, press Control-D to deselect, Right-click on this layer again, and choose Convert to Smart Object. After that, go to Filter > Pixelate > Mosaic and set the Cell Size to 20 square.
Step 3
Now go to Filter > Filter Gallery > Texture > Patchwork, and set the Square Size to 5 and Relief to 0. Then, go to Filter > Filter Gallery > Sketch > Halftone Pattern, and set the Size to 5, Contrast to 0, and Pattern Type to Line.
Step 4
Change the Blending Mode of the Halftone Pattern filter to Hard Light. Then, go to Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates and select Rectangular to Polar.
Step 5
Now choose the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M), and make the 3000 px circle radius selection, centered with the canvas both horizontally and vertically. Then, press Control-J on your keyboard to create a new layer using the selection. After that, name this new layer Temp_2, and hide the Temp_1 layer in the Layers panel.
2. How to Create the Glow Effect Parts
Step 1
In this section, we are going to create the glow effect parts. Make a selection of one slice of the circle using any tool or method that you feel comfortable using, and press Control-J on your keyboard to create a new layer using the selection. Name this layer P_1.
Step 2
Now press Control-T on your keyboard to transform this layer, check the Toggle Reference Point, and set the Reference Point Location as shown below. Set the Width and Height to 63.75% and the Angle to 45°.
Step 3
Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation to create a new hue/saturation adjustment layer and name it P_1_Color, and press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask. Then, change the Blending Mode of this layer to Color, double-click on this layer thumbnail, and in the Properties panel, set the Hue to +140.
Step 4
Now repeat this process to create as many parts as you want. Feel free to use different transform and hue settings. I've repeated it five times, so I got six part layers in total. Then, hide the Temp_2 layer in the Layers panel.
Step 5
Set the foreground color to #16111c, select the Background layer, go to Edit > Fill, and set the Contents to Foreground Color, Blending to Normal, and Opacity to 100%.
Step 6
Now select the P_1_Color layer and Control-click on the P_1 layer to select both layers. Then, Right-click on any of these two layers and choose Convert to Smart Object. Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Screen, and name it P_1.
Step 7
Repeat this step for the other part layers. Then, select the P_1 layer, press Control-J on your keyboard to duplicate it, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and set the Radius to 20 px.
Step 8
Now Control-click on the P_1 layer thumbnail to make a selection of this layer. Then, go to Select > Modify > Contract with Contract By set to 35 px, and go to Select > Modify > Feather and set the Feather Radius to 15 px. After that, go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide selection to add a layer mask that will hide the selected area of the layer and reveal the rest.
Step 9
Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Dodge (Add) and set the Opacity to 80%. Name this layer P_1_Glow.
Step 10
Now repeat this process for the other part layers:
Step 11
Select the P_1 layer, and Control-click on this layer thumbnail to make a selection of this layer. Then, go to Select > Modify > Contract and set the Contract By to 7 px, and Select > Modify > Contract and set the Feather Radius to 7 px. Lastly, go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to add a layer mask that will reveal the selected area of the layer and hide the rest.
Step 12
Now repeat this step for the other part layers.
3. How to Make Beams
Step 1
In this section, we are going to make beams. Select the P_1_Glow layer, go to Layer > New > Layer to create a new layer, and name it Temp_3. Then, press D on your keyboard to reset the swatches, and go to Filter > Render > Clouds. After that, press Control-T on your keyboard to transform this layer, and set the Width and Height of the layer to 200%.
Step 2
Now press Control-A on your keyboard to make a selection of the whole canvas, and go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to add a layer mask that is going to reveal the selected area of the layer and hide the rest. Then, Right-click on the layer mask and choose Apply Layer Mask. After that, go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur and set the Amount to 100, Blur Method to Zoom, and Quality to Best.
Step 3
Go to Filter > Stylize > Find Edges, Image > Adjustments > Invert, and Image > Adjustments > Levels, and set the Highlights Input Level to 15. Then, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the Radius to 5 px, and go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur and set the Amount to 100, Blur Method to Zoom, and Quality to Best. After that, go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and set the Highlights Input Level to 135.
Step 4
Now press Control-T on your keyboard to transform this layer, and set the Width and Height of the layer to 130%.
Step 5
Go to Select > Color Range and set the Select to Midtones. Then, select the Temp_1 layer, hide its Smart Filters, and press Control-J on your keyboard to create a new layer using the selection. Then, drag this layer just below the Temp_3 layer in the Layers panel and hide the Temp_3 layer.
Step 6
Now go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur and set the Amount to 100, Blur Method to Zoom, and Quality to Best. Then, change the Blending Mode of this layer to Color Dodge and name it Beams.
Step 7
Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation to create a new hue/saturation adjustment layer and name it Beams_Color. Then, press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask and change the Blending Mode of this layer to Color. After that, double-click on this layer thumbnail, and in the Properties panel, set the Hue to -90.
4. How to Create the Shattered Parts
Step 1
In this section, we are going to create the shattered parts. Select and hide the Beams layer, and Control-click on the layer thumbnail to make a selection of this layer. Then, select the Beams_Color layer and press Control-Alt-Shift-E on your keyboard to make a screenshot. After that, press Control-J to create a new layer using the selection.
Step 2
Now change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Dodge (Add), go to Image > Adjustments > Levels, and set the Shadow Input Level to 15. Then, press Control-T on your keyboard to transform this layer, and set the Angle to 15°. Name this layer SP_1.
Step 3
Repeat this process to create as many shattered parts as you want. Feel free to use different levels and transform settings. I repeated it once more so I got two shattered part layers in total. Then, hide Layer_1 in the Layers panel and show the Beams layer.
Step 4
Now select the SP_1 layer, and go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All to add a layer mask that reveals the whole layer. Set the foreground color to #000000, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a soft brush, and brush over the cut-off edges of this layer to fade them. Repeat the same for the remaining shattered part layers.
5. How to Add Stray Pixels
Step 1
In this section, we are going to add stray pixels. Select the SP_1 layer, go to Layer > New > Layer to create a new layer, and name it Temp_4. Then, press D on your keyboard to reset the swatches, go to Filter > Render > Clouds and then Filter > Pixelate > Mosaic, and set the Cell Size to 10 square.
Step 2
Now go to Select > Color Range, set the Select to Sampled Colors, and using the Eyedropper Tool, click anywhere inside the canvas to choose the color for selection, and set the Fuzziness to 0. Then, select Layer 1 in the Layers panel, and press Control-J on your keyboard to create a new layer using the selection.
Drag this new layer just above the SP_1 layer in the Layers panel, change its Blending Mode to Linear Dodge (Add), go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and set the Shadow Levels Input to 20, and name it Stray Pixels. Feel free to transform this layer and/or repeat this process to create as many stray pixel layers as you want. Then, delete Layer_1 and all the Temp layers that we've made.
You Made It!
Congratulations, you've succeeded! You've now learned how to create a hologram Photoshop effect, as well as a glow Photoshop effect. Here is our final result:
5 Hologram Design Photoshop Effects From Envato Elements
Want to see more glow hologram effects? Check out this list of effects from Envato Elements. Enjoy!
Hologram Photoshop Action (ATN)
Simply fill in your subject with a color and play the action. That's all it takes to give your photos an advanced hologram effect using this Photoshop action!
Hologram Text Effects (PSD, ASL, PDF)
If you want to create a hologram effect from your text, logo, or shape, then check out this item. You simply place your design into the smart object, and enjoy the result!
CyberPunk Photoshop Action (ATN)
Create a neon cyberpunk glow effect from your photos using a single click and in seconds. Open your photo and just play the Cyberpunk Photoshop action!
Abstract Grey Futuristic Technology Background (EPS, JPG)
If you are looking for a ready-made hologram background, this abstract and futuristic background might be just what you need. There are both JPG and vector formats included!
30 Digital Glitch Photoshop Stamp Brushes (ABR)
There are 30 brushes included in this item, and they work with any Photoshop version. The brushes are high resolution, and you can use them to instantly add more detail to your hologram design Photoshop effect.
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