In this quick tip tutorial, you will learn how to make stars in Photoshop quickly and easily.
For more quick tips on making stars in Photoshop, visit us at the Envato Tuts+ YouTube Channel:
What You'll Learn
- How to make a star in Adobe Photoshop
- How to use Photoshop to make a star effect
- How to make star trails with a brush
- How to create a shining star
- How to create a shooting star shape in Photoshop
Tutorial Assets
For this tutorial on how to make stars in Photoshop, I will be using stock photos from Envato Elements:
1. How to Make Stars in Photoshop
Step 1
In your document, go to the Polygon Menu, right-click on it, and select the Polygon Tool (U), which is a pentagon.
Step 2
Go to the Settings in the top toolbar. This will be shaped like a cog. Click on this and select the Star checkbox with the Radius set to 25%.
Step 3
Next, drag out your Photoshop star shape. This will give us a chunky star.
Step 4
Change the percentage to create a range of different Photoshop star shapes. Simple!
2. How to Use Photoshop to Make a Star Effect
Step 1
Create a New Layer (Control-N) in your document and fill the layer with black.
Step 2
Next, go to Filter > Add Noise and set the Amount to 50%, select Gaussian, and check the Monochromatic box. Click OK.
Step 3
Go to Filter >Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the blur Radius to 1.5%, and click OK.
Step 4
Next, we go to Levels (Control-L) and move the arrows to the base of the curve in the Input Levels, similar to how this is below. Play with these sliders until you get a pleasing star field intensity.
Step 5
Next, set the Layer Blend Mode to Screen. To add extra intensity to your stars, simply duplicate the layer. I think this makes a really impressive star effect with not much effort.
3. How to Make Star Trails With a Brush
Step 1
Create a star of your choosing as in "Part 1. How to Make a Star in Adobe Photoshop", and make sure that it's set to black.
Here are the settings I used to create a star trail.
Brush Tip Shape
- Spacing to 102%
Shape Dynamics
- Size Jitter to 27% with Control set to Pen Pressure
- Angle Jitter at 70% with the Control set to Pen Pressure
- Roundness Jitter to 20%; Control: Off
- Minimum Roundness to 25%
Scattering
- Scatter is set to 196% on Both Axes; Control: Pen Pressure
- Count Jitter to 14%; Control: Pen Pressure
Transfer
- Opacity Jitter is set to 0%; Pen Pressure is set to Minimum 0%
- Flow Jitter at 0% set to Pen Pressure with Minimum at 76%
Smoothing
- On
Step 2
Now you can save your brush by clicking the square with the + sign at the bottom of the Brush Settings panel.
Step 3
Here's how our star trail brush looks with our settings.
4. How to Create a Shining Star Shape in Photoshop
Step 1
Now you have your own star Photoshop brush. Draw out your stars using the Star Trail Brush we just created and duplicate the layer.
Step 2
On the lower layer, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the Radius to 8.6 Pixels. Click OK. And that's how to make stars in Photoshop!
5. How to Create a Shooting Star
Step 1
Now let's learn how to draw a shooting star in Photoshop. In the Brush Settings, select the default Hard Round Pressure Opacity brush and squeeze the tip shape to a narrow oval.
Step 2
On a New Layer (Control-N), draw out a shooting star with the tip being more intense than the trail.
Step 3
Select the Eraser (E) and use a Soft Brush to gently paint out some of the tail.
Step 4
To create a meteor shower effect, hold Alt and use the Move Tool (V) to duplicate each layer. Scale, move, and repeat as necessary. Optionally, to add depth, you can lower the opacity of some of the shooting stars.
Great Job Creating a Star in Photoshop!
Now you have learned how to make stars in Photoshop! Stars photoshopped into images create a dreamy atmosphere. Plus, now you realize that using Photoshop to make a star is not as complicated as you might have thought. I hope you found this quick tip useful and can use these techniques to jazz up your artwork.
5 Stellar Photoshop Star Shape Templates From Envato Elements
Envato Elements has an array of Photoshop star shape templates that can give you a hand if you don't feel like using Photoshop to make stars yourself. For a low monthly fee, you can access and download all of these premium templates, as well as millions of other premium digital assets for your creative projects.
Let's take a look at just a sample of the stellar star shapes in Photoshop from Envato Elements.
1. Starburst Brushes (ABR)
Creating a star in Photoshop couldn't be easier thanks to this brush set. With this fantastic template, you get:
- 28 starbust brushes
- HD 2675x2687 resolution
- unlimited support
- documentation included
If your goal is to create a star in Photoshop easily and quickly, give this one a try.
2. 30 Stars Photoshop Stamp Brushes (ABR, PNG)
For a more lively and cartoon-like approach to star shapes in Photoshop, there's this incredible set. It's a beautiful option for when you're looking to use Photoshop to make a star. Its features are out of this world too:
- 30 star Photoshop brushes
- high-quality resolution
- 2000–2500 pixel size
- creative design
Photoshop star shapes like these will embellish any project you have going on.
3. 45 Lens Flare & Stars Photoshop Stamp Brushes (ABR)
If you want your star shape to be between a star and a flare, you can have it all if you download this brush set. Just check out its features:
- works on any Photoshop version
- 45 brushes
- high-quality resolution
- 2500+ pixel size
You couldn't ask for more when creating a star in Photoshop.
4. 90 Star Sparkler Photoshop Stamp Brushes (ABR)
Sparkling stars add a sense of whimsy to any creative project. If you don't have the time or desire to create that look on your own, you can use this premium set when creating a star in Photoshop. Its features include:
- 90 brushes
- 2500x2500 pixel size
- sparkly design
- easy-to-use
5. Galaxy Brushes (ABR)
Why have a Photoshop star shape if you could have the whole galaxy? Get the power of the universe into your photos and illustrations with this set and its features:
- compatibility with all Photoshop versions
- 25 brush options
- 2185–2539 pixel size
- round-the-clock support
Find More Resources From Envato Tuts+
If you'd like to learn more from Envato Tuts+, here are some excellent tutorials on how to get started with brushes and light effects in Photoshop.
How to Change the Brush Color in Photoshop
50+ Free Photoshop Brushes to Download Now!
How to Get a Square Brush in Photoshop
How to Create Moon Brushes for Photoshop
How to Install Brushes in Photoshop
100+ Great Photoshop Tutorials for Clever Beginners
20 Top Adobe Photoshop Actions for Photography on Envato Elements
How to Use the Spot Healing Brush in Photoshop
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