Close Menu
PSD VaultPSD Vault
  • VIP Area
  • Photoshop Basics
  • Photo Effect
  • Text Effect
  • Premium Tuts
  • Resources
  • Drawing
  • Inspiration
  • Web Graphics
  • Abstract
  • Freebies
  • Advertise
  • Get in Touch
  • About PSD Vault
Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube TikTok
Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube TikTok RSS
PSD VaultPSD Vault
  • VIP Area
    • Sign Up
    • Log In
  • Photoshop Basics
  • AI
  • Photoshop Error Fixes
  • Video Tutorial
  • Photo Effect
  • Text Effect
  • Premium Tuts
  • Drawing
  • Opinion
PSD VaultPSD Vault
Home»Text Effect»Create a Flowing Liquid Stream Metallic 3D Text Effect in Photoshop
Text Effect

Create a Flowing Liquid Stream Metallic 3D Text Effect in Photoshop

By James QuFebruary 17, 20114 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

In this tutorial, I will show you the steps I took to create this Flowing Water Stream Metallic 3D Text Effect in Photoshop. The main focus of this tutorial is the combination of water stream brushset and warp tool, plus some texturing practices. Have a try!

Here is a preview of the final effect I have for this tutorial: (Click to Enlarge)

Version 1

Version 2

PSD File Download

You can download the PSD File for this tutorial via the VIP Members Area for only $6.95/Month (or less)! You will not only get this PSD File, but also 70+ other PSD Files + Extra Goodies + Exclusive Photoshop tutorial there. Signup now and get exclusive :) Find out more about the VIP Members Areas

Ok Let’s get started!

To complete this tutorial, you will need the following stock:

3D Text PSD File

Metal Texture (you need to create an account first before downloading)

Water Splash Brush

Step 1

Load the 3D Text PSD File into Photoshop (I created those letter in Illustrator) – you will have four letters, each on a separate layer:

Apply the following layer blending options to each letter:

Drop Shadow

Gradient Overlay

Merge all texts into one layer, and you will have the following effect:

Step 2

We’re now onto the texturing part. Add then following layer mask on the text layer with a soft eraser tool:

here is the effect after applying the layer mask on text layer:

Load the selection of the text layer, then move the selection onto the metal texture you downloaded: (see screenshot below for instruction)

Copy a portion of the metal texture with our selection:

Copy and paste the texture onto the text, set the layer blending mode of this texture layer to be “overlay”. Then duplicate this texture once and you will have the following effect:

As you can, because we add the layer mask on the original text layer, we now have some shadows under the text:

Add a black and white image adjustment layer on top of all previous layer:

and here is the effect so far:

Step 3

Create a new layer and use a soft black brush to paint some dark parts around the text: (set layer blending mode to color burn, with layer opacity 50%)

Load the water splash brush into Photoshop, paint some water around the text on a new layer:

You can use the Warp Tool to warp the water splash and create a flow/stream effect:

After warping, use a soft eraser to remove unnecessary bits around the edge:

Duplicate the warped water stream layer a few more times, scatter them around the canvas, make sure you alter their layer opacity to create some depth for the overall image:

Step 4

I decided to give the text a bit of dark brown effect, similar to the color scheme of “Heavy Rain” game cover. So go ahead and add the following Curves adjustment layer on top of all previous layer:

and here is the effect so far:

Step 5

We’re almost done! For some final touch-ups, flatten the image and duplicate the background layer, apply the following smart sharpen filter to it:

Add the following layer mask on this sharpened layer to hide some part of it: (we don’t want the whole text image to be sharpened)

Duplicate this sharpened layer once and apply the Liquify Filter (Forward Warp Tool) on the text, just go crazy with it and create some random pattern as shown below:

Change the blending mode of this liquify layer to “color dodge”, and you will have the following effect:

I further added some colours on top with color balance adjustment layer and some soft brushes. I decided not to show the exact colour here and instead, I would like you to experiment with different colour scheme, and see what sort of results that will bring you.

Here are my two versions of final effect: (click to enlarge)

Version 1

Version 2

Hope you enjoy this tutorial and find it useful! Till next time, have a great day!

3d water text photoshop metal texture photoshop photoshop water text
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
James Qu
  • Website

James is a seasoned Photoshop expert with over 25 years of experience, mastering the software since its 5.0 version. As the driving force behind PSD Vault, he authors the majority of its in-depth tutorials and insightful articles.

Related Posts

Making 80’s Style Chrome Text Effect In Photoshop

April 9, 2025

How to Create a Stunning Liquify Filter Typography Effect in Photoshop

February 15, 2025

How to Create Realistic Frozen Text with Cracks in Photoshop

January 29, 2025

12 Comments

  1. rajasegar on February 21, 2011 9:37 PM

    Great Tutorial and Techniques well explained!!
    Thanks for sharing…
    Featured in Tutorials of the week in http://www.hangaroundtheweb.com

  2. t_rex_allen on February 24, 2011 4:20 AM

    I am sorry about the noob question, but step 2 is not explained very well. Can someone please explain it in more detail.

  3. D.Elm on March 5, 2011 7:27 PM

    Could you please elaborate more on step 2? and put a bit more elaboration after step 2? i received a product FAR different from the end result.

  4. James Qu on March 5, 2011 8:52 PM

    @Elm: sure. For step 2 you need to first apply the layer mask, then copy and paste the texture onto the text. Make sure you change this texture layer blending mode to “overlay”.
    You need to understand the basics such as masking, selection, and layer blending.
    Hope this helps.

  5. D.Elm on March 6, 2011 5:49 AM

    i can understand it if you simplify it. I’m not incompetent in Photoshop but it sure helps when you walk someone step by step instead of skipping ahead and assuming you know what your on about.

  6. Shuhayb on March 14, 2011 1:33 AM

    Could You Please Ellaborate On Step 2 Its Not A Very Good Explanation..Seriously i Understand That I Need to Know More On How To Mask But You Could Atleast Just Show..The Steps On How You Used The Black Soft Brush Around The Text..Thanks

  7. MVW on March 23, 2011 2:51 AM

    can you help me, i would like to use this for our wrestling site but need to change the text. do you have a tutorial on the 3d text?

  8. Md Badaruddin on April 16, 2011 10:42 PM

    Perfect your water effect on text. Thanks.

  9. my outcome on April 17, 2011 5:56 AM

    my outcome:)

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/43572428@N03/5625412694/sizes/l/in/photostream/

  10. Eversfield Organic on November 10, 2011 5:25 PM

    Amazing post!! Great resource. Thanks!

  11. Good Hotel Guide on December 1, 2011 10:05 AM

    Absolutely lovely! Fab tutorial. Thank you for posting.

  12. Country House Weddings on December 8, 2011 5:34 PM

    Nice tutorial … great work, man! Thanks for sharing.

Don't Miss

How to Resize Images Without Losing Quality in Photoshop 2025

May 17, 2025

The Beginner’s Guide to Photoshop AI Masking Tool

May 10, 2025

Curves or Levels: Choosing the Right Tool for Stunning Edits

May 9, 2025

For Beginners

Basics

How to Resize Images Without Losing Quality in Photoshop 2025

By James QuMay 17, 20255 Mins Read

Curves or Levels: Choosing the Right Tool for Stunning Edits

May 9, 2025

Photoshop Clipping Masks – Everything You Need to Know

May 8, 2025

10 Photoshop Blur Gallery Tricks That Will Make Your Photos Look Professional

April 26, 2025

You May Also Like

Text Effect

Making 80’s Style Chrome Text Effect In Photoshop

By Mohammad JeprieApril 9, 202511 Mins Read
Text Effect

How to Create a Stunning Liquify Filter Typography Effect in Photoshop

By James QuFebruary 15, 20254 Mins Read
Text Effect

How to Create Realistic Frozen Text with Cracks in Photoshop

By James QuJanuary 29, 20254 Mins Read
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • About Us
  • Get in Touch
  • Advertise
  • VIP Area
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
© 2025 PSD Vault. All Right Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}