Graphics Tips

Adobe Photoshop Tip: Simple Matrix Code

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Also check out the sequel to this tutorial: The Matrix Code Retooled. It's a much improved version of the Matrix raining code effect using actual type just like in the films.

I know why you're here. I know what you've been doing... why you hardly sleep, why you live alone, and why night after night, you sit by your computer. You're looking for this. I know because I was once looking for the same thing. And when it found me, I realized I wasn't really looking for it. I was looking for an answer. It's the question. It's the question that drives us. It's the question that brought you here. You know the question, just as I did.

"How do I make that funky green raining code that you see in the Matrix, the Matrix Reloaded and the Matrix Revolutions?"

The answer is right there, and it's looking for you, and it will find you if you want it to...okay, it won't really...never mind...here's the tutorial:

I'm starting with a 5" square canvas at 300ppi filled with black in RGB mode. We're going to have at least 4 layers of code that will give our image depth. The first layer (the layer furthest back) will consist of steps that will be used throughout this tutorial. We shall call these steps "the Recipe" Here we go:

Background Layer: Green Rain - Downpour

Using the Background layer, follow the steps of the recipe as described here:

The Recipe
  1. Go Filter > Texture > Grain*. Use a setting of 100 Intensity, 100 Contrast on a Vertical Grain Type and click OK.
    * the Grain Filter is one of those Photoshop filters that produces new and different patterns and distributions of its effect each time you use it. So don't try to be clever and skip steps by duplicating previously rendered layers. There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.
  2. Now go Filter > Other > Maximum. Use a setting of 1 Pixel and click OK.
  3. Next go Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges adjust the setting to be an Edge Width of 1, Edge Brightness of 5 and a Smoothness setting of 1. Click OK.

Then bring up the Levels Adjustment window (Command-L) and set the Output Levels (the two fields below the histogram) to 0 and 80 and click OK.

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