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In this tutorial we’ll create a wood texture:

1. Start by making a new file with the Width=612 and Height= 612.

2. Make a new layer and fill it with #765838.

3. Then apply a noise filter Go to Filter->Noise->Add Noise and use the following settings:

4. Apply a motion blur effect Go to Filter->Blur->Motion Blur and use the following settings:

5. Adjust the Brightness/Contrast Go to Image->Ajustments->Brigtness/Contrast and set the Brightness to -15 and Contrast to 50.

6. Now we have to remove the sides. To do this Go to Image->Canvas Size and set the Width=512 and the Height=512 and the anchor point in the center:

7. Make a new layer and set as the main color #7c5617 and as the second color black, then Go to Filter->Render->Clouds, set the layer blending mode to Color Dodge and the opacity at 50%.

Make another layer and set as the main color #442f1d and as the second color white, then Go to Filter->Render->Clouds, set the layer blending mode to Multiply and the opacity at 50%.

This shoult be the result:

8. Make a new layer and fill it with white then Go To Filter->Noise->Add Noise and set the Amount=96, Distribution=Uniform and Monocromatic checked, set the layer blending mode to Overlay and the Opacity=10%.

9. Now we will make some scratches: Grab a 2 px hard brush with the opacity=11%, then on a new layer draw some random lines.

10. Make a new layer then make a selection as in the image below then fill it with black.

Move the selection down below the black line and fill it with white. Press Ctrl+D to deselect then Go To Filter->Blur->Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 1.5, Set the layer blending mode to Soft Light. Then duplicate the layer and move it down.

The result should be like in the image below:

5 Comments Already

Selbosh Said,

June 29th, 2008 @8:35 pm

Very clear and easy to understand. I like the technique with the black and white lines - seems more natural-looking than using, say, a bevel.

An improvement might be to distort/bend some of the grain so it’s not perfectly straight in all places. I’m not sure what the best way to do this would be - perhaps a distort filter?

Sean Said,

July 6th, 2008 @10:32 am

Although this tutorial is pretty good, the best way to make a good looking wood texture would be to paint it yourself. Using two brown colors, some smudging, burning, and also dodging.

Sort of like this: http://i30.tinypic.com/28heid5.jpg

That wood texture was painted manually without using any filters.

hErbs Said,

August 25th, 2008 @4:01 pm

I like this idea - I’ve used this for the neck of a guitar (sorry can’t post link) I used slightly darker colors for the base wood but the same cloud effects.

I don’t agree with Sean that it’s easier to paint oneself, ’cause I do not have the drawing skills (or patience) to make something like that come to life. But of course - if you can it might be easier This tutorial is a very good substitute .. The wood comes to life with the cloud effects.