Create a Custom Photoshop Splash Screen

Tutorial #08

Create a Custom Photoshop Splash Screen, Tutorial in 2 parts, the first one is all about creating a new splash screen and the second one will explain how to change the original photoshop splash screen.

Like every photoshop users, I see the splash screen every time I load photoshop. I thought it could be nice to write a tutorial on creating a new one to make your photoshop unique.

Part 1 – Creating the Splash Screen

Step 1 – New Document
Open photoshop and create a new file, File – New with 624×354px for the dimensions, it’s important you put those parameters because some text is going to appear on your image when you load photoshop.

Step 2 – Background
Fill the background layer with white, Edit – Fill – White and name this layer Background.
Use the Free Transform Tool Ctrl+T to reduce a little bit the size of the background, put 96% for the Width and 95% for Height.

Add some Drop Shadow and Gradient Overlay Layer Styles to the Background layer.

Step 3 – Clouds
Create a new layer and name it Cloud 1, select the Ellipse Marquee Tool and create a cloud shape with circles and ovals, hold the Shift key while you create de selection. When you’re happy with your shape just fill it with white like we did in step 2. Then add some Layer Styles to the Cloud 1 layer

Repeat the same process with the other clouds till you like the result; I did 4 clouds layers named Cloud 1 to 4. Each time I created a new layer for each cloud and placed the one under the one I created before.
When you’ve done the clouds you must copy the layer style to the new ones so you can easily change the color and the drop shadow for each layer. Select the Cloud 1 layer and right click on it then select Copy Layer Style, then select the other layers without layer styles and right click Paste Layer Style.

For the color I choose #FFFFFF for the Cloud 1 layer, then #0066cb, #669acc, #99cdff for the other layers.

Step 4 – Text
Create a new layer and use the Text Tool (T) to write PS, use any font, I used the real PS logo.
When you’re done make a selection of your Text layer by pressing Ctrl+Left Click on the little preview in the layer panel and go to Select – Invert Selection. Then go on the Background layer and create a layer mask.

Step 5 – Adobe Photoshop CS4 Text
Create a new layer and write some text under the PS logo, I wrote Adobe Photoshop CS4 with the Eurofurence Font .Make sure it’s place like me because some text will appear on the splash screen when you run photoshop.

Step 6 – Save as PNG
We’re done with the creating part, save your document as a PNG file and make sure you name the file SPLASHARTBACKGROUND.PNG, so we can replace the original splash screen file in next part.

 

Part 2 – Incorporate the Splash Screen in Photoshop

Step 1 – Download ResEdit
Download and Install ResEdit software, you can download it here: ResEdit

Step 2 – PSArt.dll
Before launching or using ResEdit, make sure you make a back up of the original PSArt.dll file. You should find it in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4, copy the file and paste it where you can find it easily. We did that in case a problem occurs in the process. Make sure Photoshop is closed.

Step 3 – ResEdit
Open ResEdit and click on Open, a window should open, go to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4 and select PSArt.dll

Step 4 – Replacing File
If you followed step 6 in part 1 correctly, you saved your splash screen file as a PNG file and named it SPLASHARTBACKGROUND.PNG. When that’s ok go to C:\Program Files\TGTSoft\ResEdit\Temp and copy your file in this folder, click yes when it asks if you want to replace the existing file.

Step 5 – Saving
Go back on ResEdit, click on Save and then close the program.

Open Photoshop; here you are with a new customized splash screen. If you have a problem with the splash screen or you just want to go back to the original splash screen just copy the PSArt.dll file you backed up at the beginning in Photoshop installation folder.

You can now easily change your splash screen in a few minutes, send me a link to your creations, I really appreciate seeing what people learn in my tutorials. You can download the PSD source file:

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8 Responses to “Create a Custom Photoshop Splash Screen”

1. Lukas says:

   May 24, 2009 at 06:09

   I really like this tutorial!!! I made one and it looks great!

   Thanks

   Reply
2. drawingclouds says:

   May 26, 2009 at 23:51

   Glad you like the tut, send me a link to your creation if you like

   Reply
3. solo says:

   June 22, 2009 at 10:18

   thank you for this tutorial
   

   Reply
4. mras says:

   July 30, 2009 at 05:25

   nice tut man! tnx a lot

   Reply
5. lob0s says:

   August 14, 2009 at 02:05

   thanks for the tut
   this is the splash screen i came up with:
   http://lob0s.deviantart.com/art/Adoe-Cs4-Splash-Screen-133273279

   Reply
6. Minty says:

   October 11, 2009 at 00:29

   hey this is cool, i was wondering if i could use your splash screen image, as a preview for my tutorial,making a PS splash screen,Is this okay?
   it will go for a final product, im not showing people how to make the clouds or anything i made my own i just wanted to put some other simple examples in my tutorial.

   Reply
7. evilkitty75 says:

   November 17, 2009 at 05:10

   i love ur tut but :’( i couldnt install it …waaaaaa!!
   but u rawk thxxxx

   Reply
8. Zain says:

   December 22, 2009 at 23:59

   Hey there great tutorial DC but there’s is one thing I am stuck at. I can replace the old splash with my new one but once I try to save it in ResEdit I get an error saying access denied :\ Could you help?

   If it’s going to help I am using Photoshop CS4 Extended

   Reply