Hello everyone this is Chris from Spoon Graphics
back with another video tutorial for Adobe Photoshop.
Today's tutorial is kind of a follow-on from my guide to creating custom camouflage patterns
in Adobe Photoshop from back in 2019. In that previous tutorial I shared some useful techniques
for creating a variety of camo pattern styles using nothing but Photoshop filters.
All those camo patterns comprised of random blobs and shapes, so this tutorial will focus
on creating the more modern digital pattern styles that are made up of tiny pixel-like
squares. Using a similar process, we can create disruptive digital camo patterns that can
be regenerated with a random result every time.
By modifying the colour scheme, we can even replicate modern day military camouflage patterns
such as the US Marines MARPAT camo, or the Canadian CADPAT.
To create your digital camo pattern create a new document in Adobe Photoshop. I'm using
a 3000x3000 pixel canvas to provide plenty of space to see a variety of randomised shapes,
but stick around until the end and I'll show you how this method allows you to create camo
patterns of any size without any repetition whatsoever!
First we need to create a background colour for the camo pattern. Add a Solid Colour adjustment
layer to it can easily be updated later. I'm using #8E6D5E as the base of the MARPAT colour
scheme
Create a new layer, then go to Filter > Convert for Smart Filters so all the effects settings
can be adjusted.
Begin adding a series of filters, beginning with Clouds, followed by Difference Clouds
under the Render menu.
Go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur next, enter a figure of around 140px with an Angle of
zero.
Apply a Filter > Pixelate > Mosaic effect next with 20 for the Cell Size.
Next, go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold. Move the slider to generate an array of pixelated
shapes.
Double click the layer to open the Layer Style options, then move the Blend If slider a tiny
amount to set the value to 1, which is just enough to make the black area transparent
so the background colour shows through.
Add another Solid Color Adjustment Layer. Use the hue #3F5149, an olive green colour.
Set the blending mode to Multiply, then hold the ALT key and click between the layers to
clip the colour to just the pixel pattern layer.
If you look closely at the real life MARPAT and CADPAT patterns, they feature lots of
tiny detailed pixel squares. The smaller details of our effects are lost as part of the motion
blur settings which gives it a horizontal layout, but we can layer up an additional
pixel pattern to apply some additional details.
Select layer 1 and use the CMD+J shortcut to duplicate it, edit the name to Layer 1
Details.
Double Click the Mosaic filter, then edit the cell size to 15.
Hold the ALT key and make this layer a clipping mask too, so the same solid colour adjustment
layer is also applied to these shapes.
Double click the Difference Clouds or Clouds effects to regenerate a new random layout.
The new smaller squares will blend with the large shapes but add more irregularities to
the outline.
Double click the Threshold effect to adjust how dense or sparse the spread of detail pixels
should be.
Turn off the Motion Blur effect for this layer so the pixel pattern creates vertical shapes
as well as horizontal shapes.
You can also adjust the Threshold value for the large shapes layer to find the perfect
balance between the two colours.
Select the Solid Colour adjustment layer and the two pixel pattern layers and create a
group with the CMD+G shortcut. Give it the name Colour 1.
Drag this group onto the New layer icon, or use the CMD+J shortcut to make a duplicate.
Rename it to Colour 2.
Edit all the settings to completely regenerate the effect to create a new layer to the camouflage
pattern, starting with the colour fill. This time use a darker hue of #2F2931.
Double click the Clouds or Difference clouds effects to regenerate a new random layout,
then adjust the Threshold values to determine how sparse or dense this layer should be.
Adjust the Motion Blur amount to a much higher figure, such as 250px to stretch the shapes
into longer horizontal stripes.
Create a third duplicate of the Group for Colour 3.
Adjust the settings again using the colour #B0978B
Regenerate the patterns, but this time turn off the Motion Blue for the larger shapes
too.
Adjust the Threshold values to make this layer a sporadic layout of beige shapes.
You might notice that this pattern doesn't look like it will seamlessly repeat. That's
right, but what these smart filters can do - which any ordinary pattern can't - is automatically
regenerate to fill an area of any size with repetition in the pattern at all.
Go to Image > Canvas Size. Enter much larger dimensions and watch how Photoshop will reproduce
all the pixel shapes to fill the new area, retaining the overall effect but with a completely
unique layout.
Since this entire pattern is made using non-destructive adjustment layers, it's easy to edit and customise
the colour scheme.
Here's a few additional colour values I saved to recreate the real life Canadian CADPAT
camouflage.... Desert MARPAT.... or MARPAT URBAN.
The final result is an intricate pixel based digital camouflage pattern that can be regenerated
with infinite layouts and unique colour schemes.
As I explain in my other camouflage pattern tutorial, using similar techniques you can
also create endless traditional camo pattern styles with various blobs, shapes and brush
stroke effects.