Photoshop tutorial
How to Make This Dot Matrix Effect in Photoshop
Turn any shape or photo into a clean halftone dot matrix using only native Photoshop filters and adjustment layers. You blur the artwork, pixelate it into square cells, then overlay a custom dot pattern and clip the result with Levels and Threshold. Nothing here is destructive, so you can go back and change the dot size or spacing at any point.
Setup
Document
Photoshop document: 16 in x 20 in, 300 dpi, 16-bit.
Settings
- Size 16 in x 20 in (4800 px x 6000 px)
- Resolution 300 dpi
- Color mode RGB, 16-bit
Step 1
Gaussian Blur + 50% Gray Color Overlay
Add your desired amount of Gaussian Blur to your image. I used 43 pixels here. Then add a 50% gray Color Overlay Layer Style.
Gaussian Blur (Smart Filter)
- Radius 43 pixels
Layer Style: Color Overlay
- Name AM-face-icon
- Color Overlay On
- Blend Mode Normal
- Opacity 100 %
- Color 50% gray (#808080)
- Preview On
- Bevel & Emboss Off
- Contour Off
- Texture Off
- Stroke Off
- Inner Shadow Off
- Inner Glow Off
- Satin Off
- Gradient Overlay Off
- Pattern Overlay Off
- Outer Glow Off
- Drop Shadow Off
Color Picker (Overlay Color)
- H 0 °
- S 0 %
- B 50 %
- R 128
- G 128
- B 128
- L 53
- a 0
- b 0
- C 52 %
- M 43 %
- Y 43 %
- K 8 %
- Hex 808080
- Only Web Colors Off
Step 2
Mosaic
Use Filter > Pixelate > Mosaic and adjust to your desired size.
Mosaic
- Cell Size 75 square
- Preview On
- Preview zoom 100%
Step 3
Build the Dot Pattern
Create a new document that is 100 px x 100 px and 300 DPI. Create the shape you want for your matrix. Add a Gaussian Blur to soften the shape. The softer the shape, the larger the size range will be.
Merge your shape and background into one layer, use Ctrl (cmd) + A to select your canvas, then use Edit > Define Pattern to save the pattern.
New Document
- Size 100 px x 100 px
- Resolution 300 dpi
- Color mode RGB, 8-bit
- View zoom 800%
Step 4
Pattern Fill
Add a Pattern Fill using the pattern you just created. Set the Scale % to the same number you use for the Mosaic filter. Then click Snap to Origin.
Set this layer to Overlay.
Pattern Fill
- Pattern the dot pattern defined in Step 3
- Angle 0 °
- Scale 75 %
- Link with Layer On
- Snap to Origin Click
- Layer blend mode Overlay
Layer stack
- Pattern Fill 1 set to Overlay
- AM-face-icon copy Effects: Color Overlay. Smart Filters: Mosaic, Gaussian Blur
- Color Fill 2 background
Step 5
Levels + Threshold
Add the Levels and Threshold Adjustment layers. Use the Levels to adjust the size of the dots.
Layer stack
- Threshold 1 adjustment layer, converts the overlay to hard dots
- Levels 1 adjustment layer, controls dot size
- Pattern Fill 1 set to Overlay
- AM-face-icon copy Effects: Color Overlay. Smart Filters: Mosaic, Gaussian Blur
- Color Fill 2 background
Finish
Result
Done!
