In this tutorial we will create a flowing liquid effect in Photoshop. We’ll use for this an image of a overturned glass and make it look like the contents of the glass is spilled on the surface the glass sits on.
Step 1
Make a photo of an overturned glass on a surface, just like in the image below, or download one from a stock photo website. I am using a free stock photo from stock.xchng. You can download the image here. I flipped horizontally the original image.
Step 2
Create a new layer (Layer-> New -> Layer or simply Ctrl+Shift+N). We’ll use this layer to create the basic shape of the liquid. This can be a little tricky so take your time with it. Try to imagine how the liquid would pour through the opening of the glass and lie on the table. Use a hard edged brush to create the shape and give it a gray color. The color I am using is #848484.
You can download the PSD file with just the basic liquid shape here.
Step 3
Use the Dodge Tool to add some random highlights to the Shape. Use these settings for the Dodge Tool as shown in the image below (Soft Edged brush, size 45, Range : shadows, Exposure 20%).
The Dodge / Burn Tool menu :
Dodge Tool settings :
The result :
Step 4
Use the Burn tool to add some shadows to the Shape. Use these settings for the Burn Tool as shown in the image below (Soft Edged brush, size 35, Range : shadows, Exposure 15%).
Burn Tool settings :
The result :
Step 5
It’s time to create the liquid effect. Goto Filter -> Artistic -> Plastic Wrap. Use the following settings for the Plastic Wrap : Highlight Strength : 13, Detail : 15, Smoothness : 14. You can use other settings. Just slide the values until you think it looks real enough.
The result :
Step 6
If it doesn’t look right undo and apply the shadows (Burn Tool) and highlights (Dodge Tool) again.
Step 7
Change the mode of the layer from Normal to Hard Light. This removes all the shades of gray leaving only the shadows and highlights.
Change mode from Normal to Hard Light :
The result :
Step 8
You can add an Inner Bevel effect for a bit of extra realism. I am using the following values :
Play around with these values until you think it looks right. You need to take in consideration the lighting of the original glass object, and modify the Shading Angle so that the shading follows the same direction of the glass lighting.
The result :
You can change the color of the liquid with ease. Go to Image -> Adjustments -> Color Balance. Play around with the sliders until you are satisfied with the color.
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February 16, 2008 at 4:01 am
Great tutorial, thanks!
February 16, 2008 at 2:00 pm
it’s a cool way to make that fluid kind a thing. i would ike to know wheathre are there any more of that kind things
thank you
February 22, 2008 at 3:39 am
Followed it right through to the end and it looks a mess, but will keep trying. When I do the shading it does not seem to work.
February 22, 2008 at 12:13 pm
The shading and highlights are quite tricky for this tutorial. It took me about 3-4 tries to make it look right. Keep trying. Look at the way I made the shading (Dodge Tool) … followed the contour of the shape. The shadows (Burn Tool) are in the inner space created by te shading (Dodge Tool). Try it like this.
March 16, 2008 at 5:16 pm
looks really great
What ever i don’t going to use it
May 6, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Well an intresting step by step explanation, but need to work hard on it..
May 22, 2008 at 5:54 am
The bevel was definatly the key in making this effect look realistic.
June 29, 2008 at 1:08 am
Thank you very much for this info. as it is very informative, I’ve always wanted to know how to create this liquid effect. Now I do.
Thanks again, keep posting your tutorials it helps me to learn more about computer graphics.
September 10, 2008 at 1:09 am
Great tutorial
My last blog post : Platelets in Cardiovascular Disease
December 24, 2008 at 10:32 am
Awesome, this is the tutor i’ve been looking for… thank you so much?? ^_^ it’s really helpfull
February 6, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Thank you for this tutorial, but, will it work if i try to put the liquid in a perfume bottle? i am doing an Ad for a perfume line based on the 7 deadly sins.
:]
April 26, 2009 at 3:09 pm
this is a great tutorial, this is the tutor I’ve been looking for my study work…thanx a lot man…
April 26, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Glad you found it useful.
May 6, 2009 at 6:35 am
NICE!
it has really helped put me into the direction of using similar effects to create Paint Puddles/Blotches and what not.
August 13, 2009 at 6:09 pm
it is very usefully to me .simple greate