[click to view full image]
Step One
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Open the image that you want to turn into your swirl. I suggest you use a big picture[500x500+] because in my opinion, it looks nicer. For this tutorial, I'm going to use a picture of Chii from Chobits. My picture is about 800x600 pixels. This image I'm using isn't really good because the background is one sold color[pink] and the most colorful thing in this picure[chii] is on the far left. You should choose a picture where there is a good color scheme[e.g., only shades of blue and no other color] and the middle should be the main thing in the picture.
Step Two
Next, go to Filter >> Distort >> Twirl and change the angle to "999" for a clockwise effect and a "-999" for a counter-clockwise effect. I used the clockwise effect for this tutorial[view image].
Step Three
After that, go to Filter >> Blur >> Gaussian Blur. Once the radius is at 1.5 pixels, press "OK".
Step Four
Once again, go to Filter >> Distort >> Twirl and change the angle to whatever you used at first. I used 999 at first, so I have to apply another 999 angle.
Step Five
We are going to blur it again, so go to Filter >> Blur >> Gaussian Blur and set the radius at 1.5 pixels. Then press "OK". You can repeat this step as much as you like to find a perfect result. I blurred my picture twice.
Step Six
Like your results? Some images might look weirder, while others look better. Ugh. Mine's turned out in the "weirder" section. -___-
That's about it! Oh yeah, here are two swirls I made following the same steps ::
Hope you can make some stuff with this tutorial. You can try making backgrounds, banners, buttons, etc! ^^
Last updated :: 12.28.04