Flaming ghost Car

Create a Flaming Car using blending modes in Photoshop

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a running flaming car effect. We will play with some filters, blending effects and brushes to create a very nice effect.

I’ll also show you different techniques of adjustment to get the most realistic results in your photo.

Final Image Preview

Before we get started, let’s take a look at the image we’ll be creating

Before We Get Started

For this tutorial you are going to need two images and two different set of brushes

Images

Bridge in the night thanks to Michal Zacharzewski

Car thanks to Michal Zacharzewski

Brushes

Fire Brushes thanks to Resource42

Odysee Brushes thanks to Axeraider70

Step 1 Setting up the Document

We will start opening the bridge image; you don’t need to modify the image size. Save it as flaming car.

Step 2 Extracting the car

a)   Open the car image as is and double-click on the “Background” layer to make it editable.

b)   Then use the Magic Wand Tool to select the white area around the car, then go to Select> Modify > Expand and apply 1 px.

c)   Next Select > Modify > Feather and in the dialog box apply .5px.

d)   Delete the background and then Drag and Drop the car layer itself into your work document.

Step 3 Adjusting the car to the background

We must scale and rotate the car so it adjusts to the background.

Edit > Transform > Scale

Edit > Transform > Rotate

Step 4 Preparing the car

a) Desaturate the car colors

Image > Adjustments > Desaturate

b) Now apply Glowing Edges

Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges, Set the dialog box as follow:

c) Apply Screen layer style at 74%

d) Load the car selection for doing it: Select > Load Selection and select the car channel

e) Create a new layer below the car and paint it with color orange R: 255 G: 120 B: 0

f) Apply layer Style Screen at 53%

g) Now motion blur: Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, set the dialog box as follow

Step 5 Applying movements

a) Duplicate the car layer

b) Apply Motion Blur: Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, Set the dialog box as follow:

c) Create a new layer below the Car Copy Layer, name it speed

d) Open de Gradient Tool Editor (double click on the gradient) and select:

Gradient Type: Noise

Roughness: 100%

Color Model: RGB

Restrict Colors (select)

Add Transparency (select)

e) Select the Linear Gradient and in the Speed layer Paint with the gradient Tool.

f) Now desaturate: Image > Adjustments > Desaturate

g) Distort the speed lines so it matches the car perspective: Edit, Transform > Distort and play with the speed lines

h) Erase with the Eraser Tool all the lines in front of the car and above it you don’t want. Apply layer style Normal to 50% transparency

Step 6 Road tracks

a) Create a new layer above the background and name it Road Tracks

b) With the polygonal lazo create a selection of the imaginary tracks of the car

c) Paint it with white color and apply layer Style Screen at 83%

d) Now with the Eraser Tool with a 37% flow erase some parts of it

Step 7 Add Color

a) Create a new layer above all and name it color

b) Paint it with a bright Orange color : R: 255  G:120  B: 0

c) Apply layer Style Color Burn at 100% (now that’s what we are talking about)

Step 8 Flame tracks

a) Once you have downloaded the brushes sets and installed them go to the brushes palette and select the 9 Fire Brushes set

b) Create a new layer and name it Flames

c) Select a bright Yellow color and choose the second brush with a Master Diameter of 231 pixels.

d) Paint some flames a long the track.

e) Repeat the procedure with different brushes in different sections of the track and the car.

Step 9 Car Shadow

But this is a flaming car, so it is a bright shadow

a) Create a new layer above the tracks and name it shadow

b) With the Lasso tool draw a selection for the shadow

c) Paint it with Bright Yellow

d) Apply layer style Screen at 54%.

Step 10 Lights effects

a) Go to the brushes palette and select the Odysee Brushes set

b) Create a new layer and name it Lights

c) Select a bright orange color

d) Select the Brush Tip Shape in the dialog box and Flip x

e) Choose the first brush with a Master Diameter of 859 pixels.

f) Paint some lights behind the car.

g) Repeat the procedure with different brushes with deferent’s flows and colors like white

Conclusion

These effects can be used in different scenarios, with people or animals (like a flying bird)

Tags: photoshop tutorial

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40 Comments to Flaming ghost Car

1. [...] How to create a flaming ghost Car, flames brushes, photoshop tutorial. | Designer Freelance [...]
Calgary Flames Hockey Jerseys and Gear | olympicsvancouvergear.com on April 2nd, 2010
2. 

   Very nice effect! And so easy too.
Jaybo on April 3rd, 2010
3. 

   Saludos desde Coatepec, Ver., en honor a la verdad está genial el tutorial, que bueno que compartes…

   Ing. Marco de la Mora
Marco de la Mora on April 3rd, 2010
4. 

   Man you’re awesome! I hope to see more of this great material! Thanks for the tut…
Jahir on April 3rd, 2010
5. 

   Very fresh and outstanding photo fx, Javier. Good of you to post. Thanks
John on April 4th, 2010
6. 

   An original approach and precise in your explanation (there are so many who leave out the small details)Thank you very much.. Steve
steve on April 5th, 2010
7. 

   Great tutorial! 5 stars!
Different-guy on April 6th, 2010
8. 

   Wow
   This is amazing! This definatly helped me grow in photoshop.
Denzanmaru on April 8th, 2010
9. 

   It is remarkable, a useful idea
guizei on April 14th, 2010
10. 

    Man you’re awesome! I hope to see more of this great material! Thanks for the tut…
Amy on April 19th, 2010

11. [...] How to create a flaming ghost <b>Car</b>, flames brushes, photoshop <b>…</b&g… [...]
Car | Mozilist on April 19th, 2010
12. 

    nice site I like and I sure to visit, well done :-]
Mike on April 23rd, 2010
13. 

    Wow
    This is amazing! This definatly helped me grow in photoshop.
Martin on April 24th, 2010
14. 

    Great tutorial! 5 stars!
Brad on April 25th, 2010
15. 

    Wow
    This is amazing! This definatly helped me grow in photoshop.
Charles on April 27th, 2010
16. 

    good tutorial. i did it in my computer graphic design class, except i switched the car out with a all red Bugatti Veryon.
Donald on April 27th, 2010

17. [...] Tutorial Link [...]
How to create a flaming ghost Car [Designer Freelance] | Photoshop Cow on April 27th, 2010
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19. 

    great post as usual!
TomPier on May 7th, 2010
20. 

    Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
medical assistant on May 13th, 2010
21. 

    wo ho…that’s really awesome work…the car is looking cool…thanks for sharing
Clippingimages on May 24th, 2010
22. 

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cna training on June 1st, 2010
23. 

    I love it!
Mark Vice on June 13th, 2010
24. 

    How do I remove the car? I cant get it out of the frame and into the Bride at night picture!
Eric on June 19th, 2010

25. [...] It is also possible to change the color of the car, etc. One site with tutorials for manipulating car photos is The Photoshop Bible.  Another is Photoshp car tutorials.  And for the really adventurous, here is how to make a Flaming ghost car! [...]
Altered Car Photos « From Grey Locks to Silver Strands on June 27th, 2010
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