Create an impressive sunburst text effect

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Photoshop CC, CS6. CS5. CS4. CS3
  • Photoshop Elements 15 or newer
SKILLS LEVEL:
  • Intermediate

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a beautiful sunburst text effect. I recommend that you follow carefully all steps, which will help you understand how certain Photoshop filters and other functions work.

sunburst text 500

If you are not patient or if you can't follow the instructions, use this link to download the Photoshop action that creates this effect.

If you have Photoshop, press Ctrl-N (PC) or cmd-N (Mac) to create a new Photoshop document. In the new document window, enter the preferred dimensions (in this tutorial I used 1000 x 400 pixels). Set the Resolution to 72 Pixels/Inch, the Color Mode to RGB Color 8 bit, the Background contents to Black, and hit OK to create the document:

Set size in Photoshop

If you have Photoshop Elements, press D, then X. Press Ctrl-N (PC) or cmd-N (Mac) to create a new document. In the new document window, enter the preferred dimensions (in this tutorial I used 1000 x 400 pixels). Set the Resolution to 72 Pixels/Inch, the Color Mode to RGB Color, the Background contents to 'Background Color', and hit OK to create the document:

Set size in Photoshop Elements

Press T to select the text tool.
Pick a font of your choice, adjust its size (150 pt in my tutorial) and set the text color to white:

text tool

Type your text and center it. In my example I typed the word 'evolution':

type text

With the text layer selected, go to the layers panel and right click on its thumbnail. Select Rasterize Type from the pop up menu (in Photoshop Elements select: Simplify Layer).

Select Edit > Fill (in PS Elements select: Edit > Fill Layer). Choose the Black color, set Mode to Screen, the Opacity to 100% and hit OK:

fill color

Select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, set the Radius to 3 and hit OK

Select Filter > Stylize > Solarize

Press Ctrl-L (Mac: cmd-L). In the Levels window, drag the small white triangle to the left, until the input level reads '130', and hit OK:

Levels

Rename this layer to "Rays". Press Ctrl-J (Mac: cmd-J) to duplicate the layer. Rename the new layer to "Outline"

Go to the layers panel and set the new layer's blending mode to Lighten and its Opacity to 70%:

change blending mode

Select the "Rays" layer. Select: Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates. Select the second option Polar to Rectangular and hit OK:

Polar coordinates

Select Image > Image Rotation > 90° Clockwise (in PS Elements select: Image > Rotate > 90° Right). Press Ctrl-i (Mac: cmd-i) to invert.

Select: Filter > Stylize > Wind and apply these settings:

wind filter

Repeat the previous step two more times (Filter > Stylize > Wind).

Press Ctrl-L (Mac: cmd-L). In the Levels window, drag the small dark triangle to the right to set the input level between 160 to 200. Hit OK:

Levels

Press Ctrl-i (Mac: cmd-i) to invert.

Select: Filter > Stylize > Wind twice.

Select Image > Image Rotation > 90° Counter Clockwise (in PS Elements select: Image > Rotate > 90° Left).

Select: Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates. This time select the first option Rectangular to Polar and hit OK:

Polar coordinates

Select the "Outline" layer.
Select: Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. Check the Colorize button and enter +40 (for hue) and a value between 40-70 (for Saturation):

Hue Saturation

If you have Photoshop, press Ctrl-Alt-G (Mac: cmd-opt-G). In Photoshop Elements press Ctrl-G (Mac: cmd-G) to create a clipping mask.

Select the "Outline" layer. If you have Photoshop, press Ctrl-Alt-G (Mac: cmd-opt-G). In Photoshop Elements press Ctrl-G (Mac: cmd-G). The Layers panel should now look like this:

clipping mask

The text effect so far:

effect so far

Let's smooth the rays:

Select the "Rays" layer.
Select: Filter > Blur > Radial Blur
Set the Amount between 10 to 20. Set the Blur Method to Zoom and the Quality to Best. Hit OK.
Select: Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask (in Elements select: Enhance > Unsharp Mask) and sharpen slightly the rays.

sharpen the rays

In the last step we will add a lens flare:

Select the "Rays" layer and change its blending mode to Screen.
Select the Background layer. If you have Photoshop, right click on the Background layer and select Convert to Smart Object. This will later let you double click the 'Lens Flare' filter and reposition it.
Select Filter > Render > Lens Flare and add a lens flare to your text. Choose a style, use your mouse to position it over the photo and hit OK to apply.

If you have Photoshop, you can go to the Layers panel and right-click the 'Lens Flare' smart filter. You can select 'Edit Smart Filter' to change the filter options. You can also select 'Edit Smart Filter Blending Options' and change the filter opacity and blending mode, to create a more interesting effect:

Smart object edit

Here's what I created:

image so far

You can tweak the layers (change the blending modes, etc) and create interesting variations:

effect variation

That's it. Enjoy creating your sunburst text effects!

With a little extra money, you can get the entire collection of PanosFX add-ons, at a small segment of their total cost. In addition:

  • You also get 5 exclusive products (they are not sold separately).
  • You get for free any new products that will be released in the next 12 months after your purchase. Yes, for free!
  • You are granted a 12-months free download period, during which you can download any updates released for your products.
  • You get 50% off, if you wish to renew your license when the 12 months free download period elapses.
 

Stay informed

© Panos Efstathiadis - All rights reserved.
Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.