how to add smoke in photoshop

Adding a smoke effect in Photoshop is easy when you have the right brushes. Here's where to find a few cool smoke effect brushes and how to apply them.

Where to Find a Smoke Brush

A simple Google search on "Free Photoshop Brushes" is a great starting point. I found several great smoke effect brushes on QBrushes.net . Although the brushes are free, read through their licensing agreement to make sure you qualify. As with downloading anything over the internet, make sure you're downloading from a reputable site. Create a folder called Brushes and copy the new brushes to that location. This will make it easier to find in the future.

Save Your Existing Brushes

Saving your existing brushes is easy. Start by selecting the Brush from the side Tool Pallet. Access the Brush menu and click the gear icon then select Save Brushes.

1b Working in the Tool Pallets — Working in the Tool Pallets

Install the Smoke Brushes

The easiest way to install Photoshop Brushes is to right click on the brush and select Open with and choose Photoshop. You can also install the brushes from the Brush Pallet by clicking on the gear icon and select Load Brushes. Navigate to the Brush folder we created earlier and choose the brushes you want to install.

Click the Gear Icon and Select Load Brushes

Applying the Smoke Effect

Select a Smoke brush from the Brush Palette. Create a new blank layer. Resize the brush with the bracket keys [ ] and using your mouse, click once. Transform the smoke by pressing keyboard shortcut [Win] Ctrl + T or [MAC] Command + T. Move the smoke into place and lower the opacity to make it look real.

Select a Smoke Brush from the Brush Pallet

Bonus Video

Watch the video to see how easy it is to apply smoke to an image. The video also includes a few tips and tricks on using Smart Filters with Smart Objects.

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Vanelli is a working sports and portrait photographer, educator, and author living in Florida. After a successful career as a three-time, Triple Crown Karate champion, Vanelli turned his attention to teaching the visual arts. As an experienced educator, Vanelli has created videos for LinkedIn Learn, has written hundreds of articles, taught at major photography conferences and has developed many photography and digital workflow programs including Click for Kids.

Currently, he is the Director of Education at Skylum Software, teaching workshops, writing for Photofocus and creating tutorials for the Vanelli and Friends series.

You can find out more about Vanelli at www.VanelliandFriends.com

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I use LR more……are there smoke brushes for LR?

Reply to debbie

3 years ago

Lightroom doesn't support custom brushes

I use LR more……are there smoke brushes for LR?

Reply to debbie

3 years ago

Lightroom doesn't support custom brushes

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