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This lesson demonstrates how to create an animated snow scene. To work along, you are welcome to download the start images Here. Unzip the file and open your choice of snow scene and arched window onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Included in the download above is a black arched window template. If you prefer, create a personalised arched window by applying a plugin filter of your choice to the template.
VanDerLee Snowflakes Plugin
To create the snow, you need the free VanDerLee Adrenaline Snowflakes plugin, available Here. After the download, unzip the file, and install the plugin into Photoshop’s plugins folder, as described Here.
You will find my comprehensive layers lesson Here.
To keep the animation file size down, I am working with three animation frames. However, if you want your snow to be more animated; instead of creating three animation frames, create four or five - however, bear in mind, more frames will create larger animation (file) sizes.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards.
Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
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Open your choice of snow scene and arched window onto Photoshop’s workspace.
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Then activate the Move Tool. 
And drag the arched window onto the snow scene. Unlock the snow scene (Background) layer, then resize the snow scene so it fits neatly inside the arched window, using the
Free Transform Command. After its resize, your snow scene image may benefit from a Sharpening filter.
After you have completed this, Crop away any transparent area surrounding your images, and you are ready for the next step.
Tip
To save PC resources, after you have dragged it onto the snow scene image, close the original arched window image.
 
Resizing your images
Link Here to learn how to reduce the size of your arched window/snow scene image.
Adding Type and Adornments
If want to apply text (to protect your animation), or adorn it with ornaments - then do so now; applying them above the arched window layer. After you have applied the type/adornments, merge their layers with the arched window layer.
  
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Now, (ensuring the arched window is the upper layer), press Ctrl - and hold. Then left-click to highlight both layers - as illustrated below.
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Release the Ctrl key, then left-click and drag both layers over the following Create a new layer icon. You have just duplicated the highlighted layers, and your Layers palette will now resemble the following.
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Now, (whilst the upper two images remain highlighted), left-click, and drag them over the Create a new layer icon. (Press Ctrl and re-highlight them, if necessary).
You will now have six layers, as illustrated below.
Note
Create more duplications if you want to create more than three image frames.
Adding Snow
You are now going to apply snow to your three snow scene layers; therefore, before you proceed, ensure you have installed VanDerLee’s Snowflakes plugin - as explained at the start of this tutorial. Note: For an effective animation, it is important to apply a different snow coverage to each snow scene layer.
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Now, activate the following snow scene layer. (It is the first in sequence).
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Then from the top menu, choose Filter then choose VDL Adrenaline then choose Snowflakes. In the subsequent Snowflakes dialogue box, set the following attributes, then click Okay. Note: Always experiment with different settings to create unique snow effects - I am creating a light sprinkle of snow; however, you may like a denser coverage.
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Now, activate the second snow scene layer.
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And apply a unique coverage of snow to it. For my second image, I grabbed the Random Seed scroll bar, and dragged it slightly to the right. I left all other settings, untouched, and clicked Okay.
Note
Because of the layers’ order, you will not see an immediate change to your snow. To view your second image’s snow; click to remove the following Indicates layer visibility (eye icon). Then remember to click it back.
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Now, activate the third snow scene layer.
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And apply a unique coverage of snow to it. For my third image, I grabbed the Random Seed scroll bar, and dragged it a little further to the right. Again, I left all other settings, untouched, and clicked Okay.
Note
To view your third snow application, click to remove the Indicates layer visibility (eye) icons, from the first and second snow scene layers. Remembering to click back both eyes.
After you have added unique snow applications to your three snow scene layers - you are ready for the next step.
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You are now going to merge each arched window image with the snow scene layer immediately below it. Therefore, press and hold your Ctrl key - then left-click to highlight the first arched window and the snow image beneath it. Then right-click and choose Merge Layers from the drop-down list. (Top menu, then Layer then Merge Layers).
 
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Now, repeat Chapter 12, this time, merging the next sequential arched window with the snow scene beneath it. Then merge the next sequential arched window with the snow scene beneath it. After you have completed this, you are ready for the next
step.
14/ Animating your image frames
Now you have prepared your three (or more) animation frames, they are ready to animate.
Animating Image Frames CS CS2 CS3 and Extended Here.
The settings utilised for my animated snow scene are outline below. For my animation example at the top of this page, I utilised four image-frames.
Have fun creating unique animated snow scenes.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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