Vector Composed Image using displacement filter

We are going to create a vector composite effect in photoshop. I am using very basic techniques like displacement maps and clipping mask. I will demonstrate how to take any image and compose it with vector images.

This is the image which we will be making.

.

.

STEP 2

I chose this image from www.sxc.hu and you can download it from here [image]. The owner of the image asked to credit it so I have provided the links. So yeah here is the image of this pretty woman i will use. You can use any image you want. Use these techniques with your own imagination to outcome better results.so here is the image

.

.

STEP 3

I have re-sized this image since i thought these effects look good on the skin. Chop off the black background and position it accordingly, here is what i did.

.

.

STEP 4

Right!!! Now we have our image so lets get started. You now have two layers i.e background and this image. Remember background should be solid black and we have taken all of the black from our image. Rite!!! Now duplicate the image, how to duplicate? check the image below.

.

.

So now your layer’s panel should look like this. As we have duplicated the image so its layer 1 copy.

.

.

STEP 5

Now select the layer 1 copy and press CTRL+SHIFT+U to desaturate the layer. Or you can go to Image menu > Adjustments > Desaturate, if you cant figure it out then check the image below.

.

So now you have layer 1 copy a desaturated image.

STEP 6

Now you will have to blur this image. So go to filter > Blur > Lens Blur, if you cant figure this out then check the image below.

.

You can also notice my desaturated image. Ok now use these settings in the lens blur window, make sure the source is set to transparency and use settings of 10, 0 and 0 for Radius, Blade Curvature, and Rotation, respectively. Check the image below for refrence.

.

.

STEP 7

Now we will save this image for our reference as we are going to use it has our displacement map. Save it and remember the name, its always good if you save it on your desktop.

If you are not familiar what displacement map filter is then I will tell you about it. The displacement map filter wraps and distort images in photoshop using pixels according to the guidelines set out by a predefined “map”.

So yeah we are saving this part to use it as our predefined map for our vectors to take shape of it. Make sure you do not change the position of the image now, if you do then you will displace your predefined map lols.

Alright now we have saved our document, you should as well remember the name you saved with. I saved it with displacement, you can choose what ever you wish. Save it in psd format, no issues.

STEP 8

We should begin with vectors now, for our tutorial I have used GoMedia’s Arsenal vector set. You can search for any free vectors online or try Gomedia’s sample pack. Once you have your vector set ready, start pulling it on your image.

You chose your shape which ever you like for your image, make sure you convert vectors to smart object as they wont loose quality if you transform them. Well how to convert vectors to smart object? Its very simple once you pull in vectors to your image it automatically goes in new layer, you could see them over layer 1 copy, then right click on it and click on convert to smart object. Check the image below

.

When a vector is converted to smart object then it wont loose its quality. That is the same in case of images to. Alright now you will have to pull in as many vectors as you can. Here is how my image looks like now.

.

Horrible right!!! Well no do not worry, we will get things in shape. You can see my layers panel with many layers as i have applied many vectors. Final image depends on how you place your vectors, so make sure you have it all right. If not in first shot you will get it right once you practice.

Once you feel you have added enough vectors and if you do not wish to work with so many layers, merge it down to a single layer. How to do it? Well its simple, first select the topmost layer of your vector then holding shift click the bottom layer of the vector and then right click and select merge layers, careful do not click flatten image. Check the image below for reference.

This is just a sample reference do not consider my layers, this is not my actual image. I have shown this for an example to merge vector layers. Right, now you have merged your vector layers now no more adding of vectors.

STEP 9

Now you will have to duplicate layer 1 that is your colored image, not the desaturated blur image. Place the duplicate layer on top of vectors layer. How to duplicate the image? Check step 4 for reference and how to place duplicate layer on top of vectors layer? Its simple just click and drag the duplicate layer and place it on top of vectors layer. Now your layers panel should look like mine below.

.

.

STEP 10

Now select the vectors layer and click on filter > Distort > displace and leave the Horizontal and Vertical Scale values at 10, and select the Stretch to Fit and Repeat Edge Pixels options and click OK. Then it will ask you to open a file, remember our displacement map we saved in STEP 7? Select that and open. For those who do not know how to filter! Check the images below for reference.

.

And now displacement settings window

.

.

STEP 11

Now u will have to right click on the topmost layer and select create clipping mask from the list. Check image for reference.

.

.

.

Now you have your image almost ready.

STEP 12

Now double click on the vectors layer and a window will pop up, click on drop shadow and use the settings I have selected below.

.

Thats it guys you have your Image ready.

Now if you want delete the image layer below that is the layer 1. And adjust the contrast of topmost layer that is the layer which you created for clipping mask.

Finally I have used little gradient for background and added some text. This is just the start guys try experimenting with various images and vector shapes.

My final Image looks like this below, If you have any suggestions please leave a comment below.