Adding Texture Layers in Photoshop CS3

[Jennifleur79]

Hello

I'm sorry, I don't post on here very much any more, always have so much to do!

I am finally starting to experiment with photoshop on my photographs and have just about mastered opening a new layer to a picture and want to start applying textures to some of my photos to make them more unique. I have found a site that gives me free textures for photoshop so I download and save to my laptop. However, when I then attempt to open one as a layer it is not full size, it shows as a little picture in the middle of my photo if that makes sense?

Can anyone help me?

Thanks

Jenny

[Murtasma]

How exactly are you opening the files in photoshop? Also what resolution are your textures? What resolution are your images your attempting to texture them with? Most of those "free" textures online are junk. They have been shrunk down usually to 1 - 3 mega pixels. You may have to shrink your image before you can add a texture. I always shoot my own textures so I can have a full resolution file. Plenty of interesting walls, rust, cement, leaves. All sorts of things can make great textures.

[Jennifleur79]

Thanks!

I expect it is to do with the resolution then, goodness knows how I shrink my pictures!?

I can't believe I'd never actually thought of shooting my own texture! How rubbish am I???
I suppose because I've seen people creditting others for their textures that I just thought that was the way to go. I'll try that I think then

[Saralonde]

After you've moved your texture over, hit Ctrl T (transform). That will allow you to "stretch" the texture over your original image. When it is in place, click the checkmark above or double click your image and the layer will be in place. Then it is just a matter of changing the layer type you want (overlay, soft light, etc.) and the opacity to your taste.

[Saralonde]

Did you try the Texture for Layers group on flickr? Really wonderful textures with good resolution if you don't have enough textures of your own to choose from.

[Saralonde]

I just put up a basic texture tutorial if that helps.

[Jennifleur79]

Thank you so much!