February 26, 2020

How to Create a Grasshopper Reflection in Photoshop

How to Create a Grasshopper Reflection in Photoshop
In today’s tutorial, I’m going to take you through the process on how to create a reflection of a Grasshopper in Photoshop. We'll use the Quick Selection tool to create a selection, add the canvas height, flip the reflection using the Free Transform, add a Layer Mask, use the Gradient tool to create the reflection, and apply Gaussian Blur filter to make the reflection more realistic. 


Video: How To Make a Reflection in Photoshop.

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1. Open an Image File
Choose File>Open or else just press Ctrl+O to Open up your base image in Photoshop.

The standard Open dialog box appears.

Navigate to the folder that contains your file then select the name of the file you want to open.

If your file does not appear, try to view all files by selecting All Formats from the Files of type list.

Click the Open button.

For this Photoshop tutorial, I'll use this image, 279532, downloaded from Pixabay. 
Image used in this tutorial.
Image used in this tutorial.

2. Create a Selection
In the Tools panel, select the Quick Selection tool or else just press W.

There are two available tools to choose from, the Quick Selection Tool and the Magic Wand Tool.

Press Shift+W to cycle through the two available tools until the one you want is active.

Start making a selection by dragging the cursor in a part of the area you want to select.

You will see a line of marching ants appear around the object.

Keep adding to it by continuing to drag the cursor within the area.

To deselect areas, hold the Alt key as you drag the cursor around the area you want to remove from the selection.

Use the Refine Edge to refine the selection by choosing Select> Refine Edge or else just press Ctrl+Alt+R.

Tick Smart Radius checkbox and click refine radius icon and then adjust the slider tool radius.

Click the OK button.
The Quick Selection Tool.
The Quick Selection Tool.

Drag the cursor in a part of the area you want to select and use the Refine edge to refine the selection.
Drag the cursor in a part of the area you want to select and use the Refine edge to refine the selection.

3. Turn The Selection Into a Layer
Now we'll transfer the selected pixels to a new layer while leaving the original layer unchanged.

Choose Layer>New>Layer via copy or else just press Ctrl+J.

In the Layers panel, a layer with the default name of Layer 1 appears above the Background layer.
Transfer the selected pixels to a new layer.
Transfer the selected pixels to a new layer.

4. Change The Canvas Height of The Document
Choose Image>Canvas Size or else just press Alt+Ctrl+C.

The Canvas Size dialog box appears.

Check Relative, then increase the Height values.

Click the black dot in the center of the Anchor arrows that represent the existing image area.
The Canvas Size dialog box.
The Canvas Size dialog box.

5. Duplicate Layer For The Reflection
Select Layer 1 in the Layers panel.

Duplicate Layer 1 by going to the top menu and choose Layer>Duplicate layer or else just press Ctrl+J.

In the Layers panel, a duplicate layer with the default name of Layer 1 copy appears above Layer 1.

You can rename Layer 1 with a new name like “Reflection”.
Duplicate layer for the reflection.
Duplicate layer for the reflection.

6. Flip Vertical The Reflection Layer
Select the reflection layer on the Layers panel.

Choose Edit>Transform>Flip Vertical.

Now move the reflection layer below the original image.

Choose Edit>Free Transform or else just press Ctrl+T to invoke the Free Transform command.

Move the reflection layer below the original image by using the down arrow or drag using your mouse.

Press Enter when you're done to commit the transformation.
Flip Vertical and move the reflection layer below the original image by using the down arrow or drag using your mouse.
Flip Vertical and move the reflection layer below the original image by using the down arrow or drag using your mouse.

7. Add a Layer Mask to the Reflection Layer
Now add Layer Mask to the Reflection Layer.

Click on the reflection layer to make sure it's selected then click the Add layer mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel or else you can choose Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All.

A white layer mask thumbnail appears on the reflection layer, revealing everything on that layer.
A white layer mask thumbnail appears on the reflection layer, revealing everything on that layer.
A white layer mask thumbnail appears on the reflection layer, revealing everything on that layer.

8. Apply Gradient on the Reflection layer
Select the Gradient Tool from the Tools panel, or else just press G.

There are three available tools to choose from, the Gradient Tool, the Paint Bucket Tool, and the 3D Material Drop Tool.

Press Shift+G to cycle through the three available tools until the one you want is active. 

Choose Black to White color and Linear Gradient in the options bar.

Make sure the layer mask thumbnail is selected by clicking on it.

While holding down the Shift key, drag the mouse in the document window to create a reflection effect.
The Gradient Tool.
The Gradient Tool.

Choose Black to White color and Linear Gradient in the options bar.
Choose Black to White color and Linear Gradient in the options bar.

While holding down the Shift key, drag the mouse in the document window to create a reflection effect.
While holding down the Shift key, drag the mouse in the document window to create a reflection effect.

9. Create a New Layer For Background
Select the Background layer on the Layers Panel.

Create a new layer by choosing Layer>New>Layer or else just press Shift+Ctrl+N.

The New Layer dialog box appears allowing you to name your layer and specify other options.

Leave the default settings and click OK.

In the Layers panel, a layer with the default name of Layer 2 appears above the Background layer.
A layer with the default name of Layer 2 appears above the Background layer.
A layer with the default name of Layer 2 appears above the Background layer.

10. Lower the Opacity of the Reflection layer
Lower the Opacity of the reflection layer.

Access the Opacity slider by clicking the right-pointing arrow or by entering a percentage value in the Opacity text box.
Lower the Opacity of the reflection layer.
Lower the Opacity of the reflection layer.

11. Save Your Project
Choose File>Save or else just press Ctrl+S to save your project file.

The Save As dialog box appears.

Navigate to the folder where you want to store the file.

Type a name in the File Name text box and leave the default Photoshop (*.PSD;*.PDD) format.

Click Save to store the image.

Here is the result:
How to create a Grasshopper reflection in Photoshop.
Generative AI in Photoshop. You have to try it to believe it.
Generative AI in Photoshop. You have to try it to believe it.

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