July 2023 - Automatic Texturelabs! (Patreon)

Hey everyone,

Hope you had a fantastic July. A few Texturelabs creations that I’m excited to share. I’ve been continuing to go through the techniques/tutorials catalog with the goal of jam-packing each of them into a template, plugin, preset for tight deadlines.

This month - PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS! I love building these things - they’re like simple little machines, where the goal is to achieve an adaptable result using the most clever techniques I can muster. I’ll attach each of these at the bottom of this post.

1) GLOW STATE: Photoshop Action

A leaner and meaner version of the Glow Like a Pro technique - one click to set up a glow version of any text, shape, or layer.

Import the .GRD gradient map presets and the .ATN action file. Create a glow with any layer.

Use the Levels Adjustment to dial in the Glow brightness

Swap out 30 Gradient map presets for a variety of color temperatures and Glow styles.

2) COLLAGE WORKS: Photoshop Action

Instant setup of the Texturelabs Collage Effect, with all the live customizable details.

Import the .PAT patterns presets and the .ATN action file. Create the collage effect with any layer. The action builds a live project, so you can dial in all the details.

Unlike the video tutorial, this project uses pattern files for the collage texture, so you can swap in your own patterns for totally new styles.

3) LONG SHADOW: Photoshop Action

A simple, one-click set up of the Live Cast Shadow effect.

4) COLOR FLIPS: Photoshop Action

21 color-shifting, hue-twisting, channel-warping effects based on this graphic-styles video.

The action takes an extra moment to complete, as it includes a useful feature - it expands the edges of the color-shifted layers, so you can move them around and avoid clipped edges.

Give any or all of the actions a test drive and let me know what you think. Always happy to hear your ideas and feedback!

In other news:

• The big challenge this month in developing the updated site was figuring out a Bulk Downloads option. Currently, if everyone on Patreon were to download all of the lossless textures, it would come out to $28,000 in data-transfer fees… BUT… I think I’ve found a way to use Dropbox and leverage their lower transfer fees. Bandwidth limits are the tricky part - so for anyone interested, I’ll probably have to provide access in staggered groups. I’ll figure that out this coming month!
• I mentioned last month July was family road-trip month. I grew up in the desert, so traveling through the Southwest in the hottest month on record was fine with me! One highlight: staying in what I’d crown “America’s Most Textured Hotel” on the outskirts of Death Valley. Not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended.

I got quite a few great shots for Texturelabs - currently processing :)

As always, a huge thank you for the Patreon support. Hope you’re looking forward to a great month. More updates on the way!

Cheers, Brady