Dispersion effect in Photoshop CS Relatively simple but very difficult to create the right effect. Basically, what needs to be done is to separate the object from the background and create a copy for the object layer. Then, “transform” one of these object layers using the Liquify tool to cover almost the entire frame.
The transformed layer is hidden from view and using a combination of layer mask and splatter brushes reveals the transformed object while hiding parts of the original object. The result is the feeling that the object is being blown away by the wind.
Required resources
Image
Brush Splatter
Begin
Step 1: Open the image in Photoshop CS6/CC.
Step 2: In the Layers panel, double-click the single layer (Background) to have Photoshop create a layer. This will allow the background to be hidden afterwards.
Step 3: With the New Layer screen, press OK to create a background transition into a layer.
Remove background
The first thing you need to do is remove the background by removing the text as well as the curtains.
Step 1: Use the Polygonal Lasso tool to select an area around the text.
Step 2: With the text selected, press Shift + F5 or Edit > Fill from the menu to appear box Fill and choose Content-Aware.
Step 3: Click OK.
Step 4: Repeat this process for the curtains by selecting them and using Content-Aware.
Separate the object off the background
Step 1: Use the same Polygonal Lasso tool to carefully select around the model's body, when it comes to the hair area there is no need to select in too much detail, because we are not changing the background so you don't have to worry about the selection exactly around the hair area.
Step 2: With the model image selected, press the key Ctrl + J to create a new copy that includes only the selected area (model).
Step 3: Hold down the Ctrl key, click on the new layer to load this layer as a selection.
Step 4: Select the first layer and press Delete. This will remove the model from the background.
Step 5: After completing these steps we should be left with two layers, the top layer with the model and the bottom layer with the background with the model's silhouette.
Erase the remaining background on the model's hair
At this point, we have separated the model from the background but the original background is still left on the hair.
Step 1: Create a new layer between the background and the extracted model image.
Step 2: Use the Fill tool (Shift + F5 or Edit > Fill), cover the new layer with black. This action helps clearly show the object that needs to be performed.
Step 3: Select the extracted object image and then select the Background Eraser Tool.
Step 4: Get a white background pattern by pressing Alt/Option and click on the white area in the middle of her hair.
Step 5: Finally paint the rest of the hair to remove the sample background color.
Step 6: Repeat this process sampling the new area until most of the white background is removed and only the faint white hair remains.
Step 7: Use a normal eraser to remove as much of the faded white hair as possible without touching the real hair. The end result doesn't have to be perfect since we're not changing the background.
Step 8: Finally delete the black layer to see the original background.
Coating background
Step 1: Hide the model layer and show the background layer.
Step 2: Use the Polygonal Lasso tool to select around the missing area.
Step 3: Use the Content Aware tool (File > Fill or Shift + F5), to cover the missing area.
Step 4: Deselect the background by pressing Ctrl+D.
Transform the separated model image
Step 1: Select the separated model layer and click Ctrl + J to make a copy. We will now have two copies of this layer.
Step 2: Click on the previously separated model layer (which will now be the middle layer).
Step 3: From the menu Filter, Select Liquify to display the Liquify plugin.
Step 4: Select one brush large size (slightly larger than the size of the model's head) and begins to push into the negative space of the image.
Step 6: When you are satisfied with this change, click OK to render the image.
Step 7: With this change layer select hold key Alt/Option and press the button Add Layer Mask. Holding Alt/Optoin will cover this layer with black, hiding it from the viewport.
Step 8: Finally, select the top layer and create a mask but this time don't press Alt/Option so the created mask layer is white.
Create a vanishing effect for the top layer
Step 1: Select the top layer and make sure the layer mask is selected. If we don't highlight the mask in this layer then the actual image will not display as expected.
Step 2: Select the Brush tool (B) from the tools panel and open the brush panel.
Step 3: If you don't have a splatter brush yet, click the small gear icon on the top right and select Load Brushes. Browse to the downloaded ABR file.
Step 4: Choose one of these splatter brushes.
Step 5: Finally change the brush size and direction to match the desired spray flow (horizontal from right to left).
Step 6: Make sure you are painting black on the layer mask, just click around the head area before opening the brush pallet and change the brush, size, rotation or all to be able to create a vanish effect that looks Most natural around the head.
Step 7: This part requires time and patience to achieve the desired effect.
Step 8: Pay special attention to the eyes and the right side of the face, because the effect goes to the left and barely touches the right side. If you go over the right side of the face too much, you can choose a regular brush and repaint the layer mask with white on the areas where you don't want the effect to appear.
Create a vanish effect for the transform layer
The next step in this process is to repeat the same process above for the middle layer (transform layer), but this time instead of painting with black to hide the layer we will paint with white to reveal the layer.
Step 1: Select the middle layer and mask layer.
Step 2: Change the brush color to white and select the scatter brushes as in the previous section.
Step 3: Painting in negative space reveals part of the transformed image. These areas will look like parts that have melted from the top layer.
Some advice
It may take time and effort to get the desired effect, if you are not satisfied you can choose to mask with white/black and start the process again for that layer.
Final image:
You can see the previous parts of this CS6 tutorial: