How to: Apply a puzzle effect to your photos

Some Photoshop effects are easier than others to apply simply because Photoshop already includes the exact template you need for it. In this tutorial we’ll use a default texture included in Adobe’s tool to create a jigsaw puzzle effect with your favorite picture.

1. Open the photo you want to work with and duplicate the background layer. Name this new layer “Puzzle”.

2. Now create another layer between the original background and the duplicate on. Name it “Background color” and fill it with black.

3. Go to Filter > Texturer > Texturizer and click on the selected button to load the texture we need. Textures are usually saved in the Presets/Textures subfolder, inside the Adobe Photoshop directory.

4. Select the puzzle.psd file and click on OK. Once the texture has loaded on the image, adjust its settings (scaling, relief and light) to obtain the result you’re looking for.

5. Now that the texture puzzle is already applied, it’s time to move some pieces around. Select any of the pieces in the puzzle with your favorite selection tool and press Ctrl+Shit+J to copy the selected piece onto its own layer.

6. Apply a Drop Shadow effect to the piece, and use Free Transformation (Ctrl+J) to change its angle.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 with other pieces in the puzzle. Choose the ones that look better on the puzzle and are easy to move around.

8. Now create a selection around the central image that includes the whole puzzle and removes edge pieces. Insert the selection and press Delete on the keyboard to erase those pieces.

9. Now you can switch the background color to white if you like, and add some final shadow effects to the puzzle. Done!