Scanlines give your image a futuristic appearance or can even be used to simulate pictures on a TV screen depending on its usage. By learning how to make Scanlines this AltHack Tutorial will give you a brief introduction to using Patterns in Photoshop, which will prove useful later in other design techniques.

 

 

 

In order to make Scanlines a simple process we are going to Define a Pattern:

How to Make A Scanline Pattern

1) Open Photoshop and Click File> New, and Use the following settings:

 

Width: 1px
Height: 2px
Resolution: 72 px/in
Mode: RGB Color
Contents: Transparent

 

2) Use the Zoom Tool and zoom in until you can’t zoom in any further. (1600%).

 

 

3) Switch the Foreground Color to Black and Click on the Pencil Tool.

 

 

 

4) Using your Pencil Tool, Draw a Single Dot on the bottom half of the image.

 

 

5) Click on Select> All (Ctrl+A). Then Click Edit> Define Pattern. Name the New Pattern: Scanline

 

6) You will no longer need this image, so go ahead and close it.

Now that you have made your Scanline pattern the next step is to apply it to an image of your choosing. For this step I decided to use a picture of Natalie Portman.

Applying the Scanline Pattern

1) Open the image you want to apply the Scanlines to.

 

 

2) Create a New Layer (Shft+Ctrl+N) Name this layer: Scanlines

 

 

3) Make sure you are working in the Scanlines layer, then click Edit> Fill.

4) Choose Pattern in the Contents-Use dropdown box. Choose Scanline from the Custom Pattern dropdown. Click OK

 

 

 

Your image should now look like this:

 

Optional Step
You could change the Blending Mode and Opacity of the Scanlines layer to suit your taste. I changed the mode to Soft Light and left the Opacity at 100%.

 

 

You’re Done! Now you’ll always have the Scanline pattern for any image you start.