How do you create a Turing pattern in Photoshop using repeated filters?
To create a Turing pattern in Photoshop, you start with a grayscale noise image and repeatedly apply a fixed sequence of filters: Gaussian Blur, Threshold, and High Pass. This iterative process is automated using a recorded Action bound to the F2 key. Repeated execution of this filter cycle transforms the initial soft noise into a high-contrast, black-and-white maze-like pattern.
Conditions
- Start from a grayscale noise image.
- Convert the layer to a Smart Object so filters remain editable.
- Record the filter sequence as an Action.
- Repeat the recorded filter sequence until a maze-like pattern emerges.
Reasoning, step by step
- Apply Gaussian Blur with Radius 3.0 Pixels to smooth the noise.
- Use the recorded Action containing High Pass, Threshold, and Gaussian Blur.
- Press F2 repeatedly until the pattern appears.
- Observe the canvas transition from soft gray noise to a stark black-and-white labyrinth.
Example
The video demonstrates applying a Gaussian Blur with Radius 3.0 Pixels, then using an Action named 'make turing pattern' assigned to F2. Pressing F2 repeatedly causes the image to change from gray noise to a crisp maze pattern.
Common misconceptions
- Assuming the Photoshop filter loop is the same thing as solving Turing's reaction-diffusion equations; it is only a visual approximation.
- Believing that all filter settings needed to reproduce the result are shown on screen; the exact Threshold and High Pass parameter values are not shown in the excerpt.
Watch the explanation
2:13 – 2:41Watch this moment ↗
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