Torn Edges

[theKeeper]

Helped someone on another board with this, thought i'd post it here as well considering i don't actually have a tute for this on the site.
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[size=18px]Creating "Torn/Frayed Edges":[/size]

Get your photo/paper image into a new document that's larger than the photo/paper image. You need empty space around the outside edges.

Ctrl-click the photo/paper layer to select it.
With the photo/paper layer active and the selection going, add a Layer Mask to the layer.

Use the Lasso Selection Tool and manually draw a jagged edge along the side(s) of the photo/paper that you want to look torn/frayed. Repeat this if needed until you're happy with the 'look' of your jagged selection. Be very random and exaggerated with this jagged selection.
(see example image below)

When you're ready to continue, fill the selection with black.
Then Feather the selection by 10 pixels. Don't Deselect.

Now under the FILTER menu, choose "Brush Strokes>Sprayed Strokes". Set the Length to 20, Radius to 15, and Direction to 'Right Diagonal', and tweak the Radius up/down if you like, until you see the type of 'frayed' edge effect you're happy with. Then apply the filter. And then apply the filter once more (Ctrl+F).

Now under the FILTER menu again, choose "Brush Strokes>Spatter". Set the Radius to 13 & Smoothness to 8. Play with them if you like to tweak the 'look' to your tastes/needs. Then apply the filter. Then Deselect.

If you want/need to "clean up" any part of the frayed edge(s), simply paint using white onto that area in the Layer Mask. That'll remove the filtered effects.


TIP: If you need this frayed edge to actually be applied to your photo/paper directly, instead of just being on a layer mask, then simply delete the mask. PS will ask you whether to "Apply the Mask" to the image first or not, click "Apply". In PS7 you can also just right-click (Mac: long-click) the mask and choose "Apply Mask".

[wbiss]

Looks *awesome* Mark!

I used your tutorial today to create a piece in another thread http://www.photoshopgurus.info/forum...?p=41903#41903 .

Looks cool Mark

I never got it as convincing as you did

Sprayed Strokes and Spatter... that's what I needed to know

[theKeeper]

Thanks guys.

What really does the effect is the Feathering of the selection. It allows for the filters to only partially effect to edge, which helps create the random, half torn half not torn look.