A figure drawn in light on black, as if traced with a moving torch through a prism. The picture never shows underneath: its light decides where the strands go. They wrap around each form, run lengthwise down the limbs and lie across the chest like ribs, cross one another where two passes overlap, and fade in and out along their length. Each strand has a white-hot core with a rainbow ribbon beside it, most are faint wisps and a few burn bright, and a soft rainbow arc hangs over the subject. It is made for a lit subject on a dark background; a bright, busy picture turns into a dense tangle. Replace the image or video, then edit the strand count, width and wiggle, the glow, the crossing strands and the arc.
How this texture works
Prism Strands redraws a lit subject as strands of prismatic light on black, as if it were traced with a torch through a prism. Your picture is never shown; its light only decides where the strands go. They wrap around each form, cross where two passes overlap, and fade in and out along their length. Each strand has a white core with a rainbow edge, and a soft rainbow arc hangs over the subject.
Tips
- Strand count sets how many strands draw the figure. Fewer strands give a cleaner light drawing.
- Wiggle and Wiggle scale control how much each strand wanders. Low values give smooth, calm lines.
- Crossing strands adds strands that cut across the main ones. Lower it if the figure looks tangled.
- Set Rainbow arc to 0 to remove the arc above the subject.
Questions
How do I make a light painting effect from a photo?
Load a picture of a lit subject on a dark background. The strands follow its light, so a dark, simple background keeps the figure clean. A bright, busy picture turns into a dense tangle of strands.
Can I see the original photo behind the strands?
Yes. Raise Photo underlay and the picture appears under the light drawing.