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Add Movement With a Swirl

Matte Photo Finish February 25, 2017
Quick Sticker Title February 25, 2017
By February 25, 2017 11 Comments

Add Movement With Swirls
by Jen White
(Previously published by Barb Brookbank in 2012)

Using a common element along with the Distort Filter, add a swirl to your document that will give the illusion of movement.

Step One: Prepare Your Workspace

  • Create a new 12×12 inch document (File > New > Blank File) at 300ppi with a white background. (Photoshop: Choose File > New.)
  • Download the leaf to practice with.
  • Open the leaf3-AutumnDays-KristinCroninBarrow.png file from the download folder.
  • Get the Move tool.
  • Click on the leaf and drag it onto the new document.

Note: This technique will work well with most any object that has a transparent background. It does not work well with objects that are already round, like a button.

Step Two: Distort the Leaf

  • In the Menu Bar, choose Filter > Distort > Twirl.
  • In the dialog box, click the Zoom Out icon until you can see the entire leaf in the preview window.
  • Click and drag the Angle slider all the way to the right.
  • Click OK.

Step Three: Double the Effect (Optional)

  • Press Ctrl F (Mac: Cmd F) to run the filter again with the same settings. (PS: Press Right Click Ctrl F (Mac: Ctrl Cmd F) to repeat the filter.)

Step Four: Transform the Shape

  • Press Ctrl T (Mac: Cmd T) to get the Transform options.
  • On the document, hold down the Ctrl key (Mac: Cmd key), and click and drag the bottom right corner handle of the bounding box up and to the left.
  • Click the checkmark to commit the change.
Here’s a scrapbook page Barb Brookbank created using one of her swirls.

Credits:
Page: Autumn Memories by Barb Brookbank
Photo: Barb Brookbank
Kit: Autumn Days by Kristin Cronin-Barrow
Poem: Elsie N. Brady
Font: Pea Snoflake

 

After posting your results online,
return here and include the link in the comments.

Download PDF

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Comments (11)

  1. Lynne

    What a fun thing! Can’t wait to try.

    February 28, 2017 at 3:48 am Reply
  2. Joscelyn

    That’s a very neat trick, thank you

    February 28, 2017 at 5:23 am Reply
  3. Jessie Trotter

    Jen,

    Thanks so much for this fun exercise. As soon as I read it, I knew I had a photo to work with on a layout.

    Here’s my page:
    https://digitalscrapperclasses.com/forums/gallery/data/500/Dancing-with-the-Stars-for-Web.jpg

    February 28, 2017 at 9:42 am Reply
    • Jessie Trotter

      By the way, CGA is always accepted and appreciated! 🙂

      February 28, 2017 at 9:44 am Reply
    • Jen White

      Your page is SO fun, Jessie!! Thanks for linking back. xoxo

      February 28, 2017 at 10:44 am Reply
      • Jessie

        Thanks, Jen! Any CGA? I’m always open and grateful for it!

        February 28, 2017 at 1:44 pm Reply
  4. Su Hall

    Thank you, ma’m! This is a nice little extra!

    February 28, 2017 at 10:27 am Reply
  5. Karen C.

    I love learning new things! Thanks for this great tutorial.

    February 28, 2017 at 4:38 pm Reply
  6. Deborah

    This is pretty cool! Your tutes are always so clear and easy to follow. Thank you!

    February 28, 2017 at 8:37 pm Reply
  7. Cary

    Very cool!

    March 1, 2017 at 10:16 pm Reply
  8. Laura

    Thanks for a great tutorial. I enjoy learning how to create interesting pieces like this

    March 5, 2017 at 11:12 am Reply
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