Step 23

Now we’re going to add some contrast to it by adjusting the black clip. We’re going to use a trick to do this because we can’t use the Levels or Curves tool on a Smart Object layer. Instead of using those tools, we’re going to use the Shadows/Highlights tool which is compatible with Smart Objects. Go to Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights. There is a black clip setting we can use but it’s grayed out unless you make changes to the shadows or highlights settings. To get around this, just set the shadows to 1%.

Checkmark the Show More Options option. The tool will expand and give you a lot more settings. Ignore all the other settings and just adjust the black clip setting to your likings. This setting will increase the black areas in your image. If you want to increase the white areas in your image, adjust the white clip setting. I’m just going to set the black clip to 10%. Click OK to apply the changes.

Here’s what the image looks like.

Step 24

Reduce the opacity of the Grid Background layer to your likings. I set mine to 12%.

Here’s what the image looks like with the grid background. We’re not quite done yet… just one quick tip before we move on to the bokeh effect.

Step 25

Here’s the coolest part of about the grid background we just created. You can randomize the grid simply by double-clicking on the Clouds Smart Filter. Photoshop will randomize the effect every time you do it.

Photoshop will give you a info popup when you double-click on the clouds layer. You can checkmark the “Don’t show again” option if you don’t want to see this popup again.

Keep double-clicking on the Clouds Smart Filter until you get a pattern that you like. Here’s the one I settled with.

Step 26

Create a new layer and position it above the Grid Background layer. Name this layer Bokeh.

Step 27

Select the Brush tool then right-click anywhere on the document to bring up the brush settings. Pick this brush here. It should be a round brush with a 100% hardness. Set the Size to 200 px.

If you don’t see this brush, you can click on the flyout menu and click Reset Brushes.

Step 28

Go to Window > Brushes. Enable the Shape Dynamics option the set the Size Jitter to 100%. Make sure your Control option is set to Off.

Next, enable the Scattering option then checkmark the Both Axes option and set the Scatter to 1000%. Make sure your Control setting is off, Count 1, and Count Jitter 0%.

Enable the Color Dynamics Option then set the Hue Jitter to 3%.

Select the Transfer option then set the Opacity Jitter to 100%.

Finally, click on the Brush Tip Shape and enable Spacing. Set the spacing to 100%.

Step 29

We’re done setting up the brush! Now we can start painting. First, set your foreground color to white. You can do this quickly by pressing D on your keyboard then X.

Paint around the image. You’ll get a bunch of randomly created circles. You may have to undo by pressing Ctrl/Cmd+Z and retry the painting several times before getting one that you like.

Step 30

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation. Checkmark the colorize option then adjust the settings to get the color you like. Here are the settings we used:

Step 31

Right-click on the Bokeh layer then choose Convert to Smart Object.

Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to 16 pixels then click OK.

Step 32

Double-click on the Gaussian Blur Smart Filter blending options button.

Set the Opacity to 80% then click OK.

Here’s what the image looks like!

Step 32

Finally, we’re going to erase some bokeh around the logo so that it’s not too distracting. In the Layers palette, click on the New Layer Mask button.

Select the Eraser tool. Make sure you have the default foreground and background colors. You can press D on your keyboard to reset your colors. Right-click anywhere in the document window to bring up the eraser brush settings. Select the Soft Round brush then set the size to 800 px.

Erase the area near the logo. We’re done!

Final Results

You can also fill the background layer with any color you like:

Here’s a close-up at 100%.

Download the PSD

TRON-Inspired Text.zip | 5.98 MB Download from Website


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