Free Photoshop actions: Special effects
46. Free Oil Paint Collection
- Download Free Oil Paint Collection from Fix the Photo (opens in new tab)
Want to turn your images into oil paintings? Look no further! This collection of six actions contains special effects that'll apply different types of oil paint finishes onto your images.
47. Infrared Photo Effect
- Download Infrared Photo Effect from Spoon Graphic (opens in new tab)
Authentic infrared photos require either infrared film or an infrared lens, but this free Photoshop effect can help you achieve the same effect. Capture the surreal appearance of false-color infrared photography in you images. There are eight actions to choose from in this set, each with a different and unique inverted colour effect.
48. Texture Applicator Plus
- Download Texture Applicator Plus from MCPactions (opens in new tab)
Create depth and interest in your images by adding texture overlays with this set of free Photoshop actions. Pick up a free texture, then apply it to a photo to create a range of different effects.
49. Dystopian
- Download Dystopian from Photoshop Tutorials (opens in new tab)
Turn your nighttime cityscapes into something a whole lot more dramatic with these free Photoshop actions from SparkleStock. These actions work with Photoshop CS3 and newer, including CC. Get three dramatic effects for free, or purchase the full version to get access to all eight.
50. Dispersion Effect
- Download Dispersion Effect from PsdDude (opens in new tab)
This free Photoshop action enables you to easily create dispersion effects in your images, to make it appear like an object is exploding or disintegrating. The action leaves layers intact so you can easily modify and edit the results to your liking. The only downside is that you can only use it with 72 dpi images in RGB color mode, and has not been tested for use with Photoshop CC.
51. Glitch Effect
- Download Glitch Effect from Creativetacos (opens in new tab)
You can't beat the look of stuff recorded onto a knackered old VHS tape, and this free action by Syed Faraz Ahmad does a pretty good job of recreating it, with plenty of glitches and colour smearing.
52. 3D Isometric Map
- Download 3D Isometric Map from BluGraphic (opens in new tab)
A brilliant action that converts a flat vector map into an isometric 3D map mockup. There are three different styles of map available: sand, ice and grass, and the action also allows you to drop in your choice of buildings, trees, landscape elements and signs.
53. Stickers and Tape
- Download Stickers and Tape from PanosFX (opens in new tab)
Create round stickers with a curl in the corner, or polaroid-style images with clear sticky tape holding them in place. This site requires you to register for free before you can download the action.
54. Fold Paper
- Download Fold Paper from PsdDude (opens in new tab)
Automatically render your artwork onto a trifold paper design in pseudo-3D, complete with shadows and shading on the image. Ideal for rendering paper designs ahead of presenting them on-screen to clients.
55. Action 3D
- Download Action3d from Deviant Art (opens in new tab)
This quirky action from JonasFan93 creates a pseudo 3D anaglyphic image by separating out colour channels within your image and offsetting them. This freebie offers a number of different styles that are more suitable for use in printed brochures and website design where you’re aiming for a stylised effect.
Related posts:
- Adobe software list: Which apps do you need?
- Photoshop alternatives: It's not all about Adobe
- Free Photoshop brushes: All the texture you can imagine
