Apply an Underwater Effect with a Photoshop Template
Source-checked · About 10 minutes
Answer
Open the underwater-effect PSD, replace the placeholder inside its image Smart Object, save that content document, and return to the main template. Adjust the supplied colour layer to blend the subject with the water treatment, then check edges and visibility before exporting.
Use the exact template shown in the video, or a compatible layered PSD that clearly identifies the editable Smart Object. If you download an Envato item, register it to the intended project and keep its license record. The optional original template link appears in the sponsored-resource box on this page.
Open the downloaded ZIP file with Extract All in Windows or by double-clicking it in macOS. Keep the PSD, instructions, font information, linked files, and preview images together. Make a copy of the extracted folder before editing.
3
Open the underwater PSD
Open the extracted effect file and wait for all layers to load. In Window > Layers, find the Smart Object that the template identifies as the source image. Keep the water, light, bubbles, colour, and mask layers separate.
4
Open or replace the placeholder
Select the source-image Smart Object and choose Layer > Smart Objects > Edit Contents. Use Replace Contents only when the template instructions say the image can be swapped directly.
Add an image you are allowed to use, scale it proportionally, and position the subject inside the content canvas. Hide the sample image when necessary and confirm the placement.
Save the Smart Object content and return to the main PSD. If the template includes a labelled Solid Color layer, sample a suitable blue or green from the scene and adjust that layer. Do not paint over the water or light-effect layers.
7
Check edges, light, and visibility
Inspect the subject at 100% zoom. Correct hard source-image edges, halos around hair, colour that hides skin or clothing, and water effects that cover important details. Make changes in the source Smart Object or labelled adjustment layers.
8
Save a master file and export a copy
Save the layered Photoshop document under a new name so the original template stays available. Export a separate PNG when you need transparency or a JPEG for an opaque image. Open the exported file and check its size, cropping, spelling, colour, and image quality before using it.
If the sample remains visible, reopen the source Smart Object and hide its placeholder layer before saving.
If the subject looks pasted on, refine the source-image edge or the template's labelled mask rather than blurring the complete image.
If the blue or green cast is too strong, reduce the opacity of the labelled colour layer and recheck natural details at 100% zoom.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Adobe Photoshop on Windows or macOS.
The original template link resolved to the matching Envato item during review. Adobe documents the current Smart Object, placement, and export controls used here. The template-specific layer names come from Tech How's preserved source and video.
