Photoshop Tutorials

Step 7 – Save the displace map as a file

Change the blending mode of the current layer to normal.

Choose File > Save As and save the file as “displace map” on your desktop.

Step 8 – Delete the displacement map layer and convert the background layer into a smart object

Before we use the displace filter, delete the layer with the bump map texture then select the background layer.

If you are using Photoshop CS3 or newer, convert the background layer into a smart object. This will let you

apply filters as smart filters so that you can go back and adjust the filter settings anytime. To convert a layer to a smart layer, right click on the layer then choose Convert to Smart Object. You can also do this by choosing Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.

Step 9 – Apply the displace filter

Choose Filter > Distort > Displace and start with the default settings shown in the image below. Click OK.

Browse and select the displacement map file that you saved earlier then click Open.

Your image should be displaced. Here’s what mine looks like so far. It is not strong enough but we’ll edit this in the next step.

Step 10 – Readjust the displace filter

Because the displace filter doesn’t give us any live preview feature, you’ll find that you need to readjust the settings once or more to get the results that you like.

• Photoshop CS3 or newer: If you’re using Photoshop CS3 or newer, you can easily readjust the displace settings.
  

  

• Photoshop CS2 or older: If you’re using Photoshop CS2 or older, you’ll need to undo and use the displace filter again. Choose Edit > Undo to undo then choose Filter > Distort > Displace to use the displace filter again.

This is what our image looks like after using better displace settings.

Here’s a comparison of the before and after effects of using the displace filter.