Hard Mix Photoshop Blend Mode Killer App

Photoshop's Hard Mix blend mode seems nearly useless. It does have one 'killer application,' however.

The killer app for Photoshop's Hard Mix blend mode is creating halftones.

Here is a brief tutorial in how to create custom halftone effects in Photoshop using a gray scale photo, a grayscale pattern, and the hard mix blend mode.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Photoshop
• blend mode
• hard mix
• hard mix blend mode
• halftone
• halftones
• halftoning
• benday dots
• dot screens
• black and white
• grayscale

[rdutra09]

What if your photoshop doesn't have the checkers? Like do u have the picture where i can upload it?

[digitalArtform]

@rdutra09 Make a small white image, say 256 x 256. Using the rectangle selection select half the image vertically [a 128 x 256 sized selection] and use command-i on a mac [control-i on a PC] to invert that rectangle's color, making it black. Now select half the image again, only this time horizontally, and invert with command-i to make a checkerboard. Save the image as a pattern [Edit > Define Pattern] and Photoshop will now have the checkerboard fill. That's how I did it.

[jpgerlach]

This is great! The only tip I would add is at 1:50, before adding a blur to the new patterned layer turn it into a smart object (right click the layer and select "Convert to Smart Object"), then add the Gaussian blur. This will add the blur as a "Smart filter," allowing you to change the blur amount at any time.

[digitalArtform]

@jpgerlach great suggestion. I will try to remember to get into that habit.

[digitalArtform]

I know rite?

[rdutra09]

@digitalArtform im confused.... can u do a video about it or post the picture... i a beginner at photoshop so im confused on how to do that kind of stuff...

[frontdoor182]

da fuq niqqa