Light Blurs Brushes and Decoration Pack For Photoshop
Over the last few weeks, our readers have complained that we have been releasing “way too many freebies“. Apparently, we have been posting “too many filler articles” containing freebies that can be found elsewhere on the Web. We would like to make it clear that we do try to release useful things, and we do try to keep the high quality of these freebies and it has never been our intention to fill our publishing schedule with freebie posts.
We are going to continue to release freebies from time to time (though not as often as we have over the last months), and we’ll make sure they meet our (and your) standards of high quality. Please let us know your opinion in the comments section below and in the poll below. Thank you.
In this post we release two sets, a Light Blurs Photoshop Brushes, a set of 23 high-quality “light” brushes and Vector Photoshop Brushes Decoration Pack, a set of decoration brushes for Photoshop.
Light Blurs Photoshop Brushes
Light Blurs Photoshop Brushes is a set of 23 high-quality brushes, created for Adobe Photoshop and available for free usage without any restrictions whatsoever. The set is created by Ben Collier especially for Smashing Magazine and its readers.
You can use the set for all of your projects for free and without any restrictions. You can freely use it for both your private and commercial projects, including software, online services, templates and themes. The set may not be resold, sublicensed, rented, transferred or otherwise made available for use. Please link to this article if you would like to spread the word.
- large preview
- download the set (.zip, 18 Mb)
Motivation behind the design
Here are some insights from the designer himself:
“I recently discovered the fireworks mode on my Sony Cybershot and have since been experimenting with a bunch of different light sources. The results have been pretty interesting, so I thought I would make some of them into a brush set. For this set I used candles, a desk lamp, my iPhone, my car radio, my car cigarette lighter, a clock radio, street lights and some sparklers (the most fun!).
I then took the image, changed it to a grayscale document, inverted the colours, then adjusted the levels until I was happy with the contrast. They’re all quite large brushes and could be useful for a lot of different effects so I hope you enjoy! Feel free to use them for anything you like – both commercial and personal. Some of them are released for free on my weblog. Please send me a link if you end up using any of my brushes in your designs – I would love to see them!”
Thank you, Ben. We appreciate your efforts and your intentions. By the way, together with a couple of professional Photoshop tutorials for glows and light effects you can certainly use this set to add some beautiful lightning effects in your designs.
Vector Photoshop Brushes Decoration Pack
A set of decoration vector brushes compatible with Photoshop version 7 and higher as well as a vector .eps-file compatible with Adobe Illustrator 8. Designed by 123freevectors.com exclusively for Smashing Magazine and released as a gift to its readers.
You can use the set for all of your projects for free and without any restrictions. You can freely use it for both your private and commercial projects, including software, online services, templates and themes. The set may not be resold, sublicensed, rented, transferred or otherwise made available for use. Please link to this article if you would like to spread the word.
- large preview
- download the set (.zip, 1.7 Mb)
We would like to express a sincere gratitude to designers helping us to release professional high-quality freebies. We appreciate your support and your good intentions.
Would you like to have freebies on SM?
We would like to know your opinion. Would you like to have more or less freebies released on Smashing Magazine? Or you think that SM’s freebies are unnecessary and do not fit to our magazine? Let us know in the poll and in the comments! And please also suggest some freebies you would like to have released via SM!
Please notice: multiple choice is possible in the poll and you can also add your own suggestion to the polls.








PaulRoman
December 15th, 2008 10:29 amThank You So Much for this Set !
David
December 15th, 2008 10:34 amI enjoy the freebies, but at the same time I think I would prefer less freebies, and an increase in quality articles that have relevance to design or web development which allow me to learn something new.
Steve Mullen
December 15th, 2008 10:45 amI love the freebies, you can never have enough stuff in your resource library. My only problem is that I try not to use them in my artwork when they are noticeable. But I enjoy having then and a lot of times I will start with them as a base and will modify them beyond recognition. I am mainly referring to brushes/shapes etc.
jeremy
December 15th, 2008 10:57 amtutorials and freebies are the only reason that I check this site daily.
Angus
December 15th, 2008 10:59 amI’m fairly indifferent towards the freebies myself, though I tend to look to this site for tools that aid creation (icons, brushes, fonts) rather than things already created (themes, plug-ins).
DJ
December 15th, 2008 11:09 amLove the freebies, though nice to balance with how-to stuff.
Norm
December 15th, 2008 11:14 amI am in agreement with David’s comment.. Perhaps reduce the amount of freebies and start including some more high quality web dev articles that offer plenty of valuable info. Freebies can technically be a dime a dosen (ok, perhaps not the higher caliber ones). Thus it is very easy to over-populate the freebies section. Smashing Magazine is supposed to be about ‘smashing you with information that makes your life easier’.. not ‘smashing you with freebies that make your life easier’. The occasional high quality freebies are indeed very nice to have, but I think the term ‘information’ in your slogan refers to general article-dirven information. Those who check here only for the freebies should not be who this site is geared towards.
More freebies and less useful, well written articles degrades the site IMO.
John Lalor
December 15th, 2008 11:16 amI love your site it provides me with great inspiration and enjoyment. I like what you do now with the freebies. keep it up. Merry Xmas and an inspiring 2009,
Love the freebies
December 15th, 2008 11:17 amI love the freebies. I can’t get enough of them. Please kept them up!
nasip
December 15th, 2008 11:19 amMore articles, freebies once in a while and No templates!
Peanutgnome
December 15th, 2008 11:37 amMaybe like your Monday Inspirations you do a Friday Freebie – containing one font, one brush set, one vector, and/or one theme. Make each original, unique and possibly show links to how one of your previous freebies has been used – a Freebie Followup. That along with several quality articles will make you Smashing once again.
Phil
December 15th, 2008 11:58 amI like Peanutgnome’s suggestion. Freebie Friday.
David Conrad
December 15th, 2008 12:15 pmAs usual – great stuff.
Marjolein
December 15th, 2008 12:16 pmPlease don’t be discouraged by some negative comments… I never responded before, but would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all your articles, beautiful pictures AND freebies. I’ve learned a lot since I bookmarked SM and have been inspired many times, so thank you very much for that and please keep up the good work!
schrottplatz
December 15th, 2008 12:24 pmDeviantart Light <- i think thats the best ever
Matt
December 15th, 2008 1:19 pmI’m in general agreement with most here. I love ‘some’ of the freebies, but generally place highest value on fonts and other ‘general purpose’ freebies like brushes/icons etc rather than specific ‘themes’ (although I’m sure they have their place too). I have to admit I haven’t had chance to even contemplate using some of the more recent ones as they have been coming a bit thick and fast :)
I come to the site to find techniques and resources I’ve not come across in my day to day work that will compliment my existing skills and you deliver that in large quantities – so I know I can come back and find something later.
I think with v slighly more emphasis back on articles the balance would be just right for me. Keep up the great work!
mary
December 15th, 2008 1:35 pmTo the people that are complaining:
Not everyone who reads this site is an expert on these offerings. This site helps us as well. In fact, I think there should be some easier instructions for those of us who need it. Is there anyplace that states this site is only for pros?
wyeko
December 15th, 2008 2:15 pmmore freebies please. :)
Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz
December 15th, 2008 2:26 pm@all: thank you for your comments. Actually, we had Friday Freebies once – Friday Freebies, but the article didn’t get any attention from our readers. It’s something to think of, but these “regular” freebies may become boring over time, don’t you think?
Aleso
December 15th, 2008 2:40 pmi realy like this on
http://www.3dand2dmag.wordpress.com
Okibi
December 15th, 2008 3:22 pmWow I can’t believe how many people want themes and templates, obviously more programmers lurking here than I expected.
Badger
December 15th, 2008 4:46 pmListen to some of you for goodness sakes. In real life do any of you complain about getting anything for free? I doubt it, but somehow SM gets you wowsers that complain that you are getting too much for free. Pleeeaaassseee. It seems im one of the few who enjoys SM for its diverse content. Not all of it applies to my taste but if it doesnt I dont write in and complain about it, instead I just wait for the next high quality article or ‘gasp’ freebie to come along. SM could never cater for everyone but it does a ‘smashing’ job at catering for the massively diverse range of people that visit its site. More freebies, possibly not, less freebies definitely not. As far as im concerned it pretty much balanced.
Now, can anyone give me a free pc ?
archknight79
December 15th, 2008 5:01 pmthis one is great dude!
Bubba
December 15th, 2008 6:42 pmSome of the freebies are good, this one is nice but a lot of what is posted is too recognizable and therefore unusable. Things like cartoony animal icons and those alien invader photoshop brushes, while cute, could never be used in any decent design because the source is instantly recognizable. Unless I was building a site about those animal icons or the brush set I couldn’t use them.
Mariella
December 15th, 2008 7:42 pmLove the freebies, from themes to fonts (although without full character sets the free fonts have limited usefulness). I especially like free vector clip art.
anh vu huynh
December 15th, 2008 8:57 pmthank you very much, i need it, you’re no1
Badger
December 15th, 2008 9:44 pmBubba (24), define decent design ?
Just because its recognizable DOESNT make it unusable. To you and your tastes (and mine) maybe, but I can guarantee that a number of people will find it extreemly useful.
christopher Jack
December 15th, 2008 10:22 pmReally like this set
Rahul Acharya
December 15th, 2008 10:55 pmgreat collections
Nakiloe
December 16th, 2008 1:00 amYour freebies are always high quality, so yes, we want more of them! :-D
tct
December 16th, 2008 1:07 amThank you for the Light Blurs brush set. I look forward to using them.
T-Bone Larone
December 16th, 2008 1:17 amI’m glad to see that I, like most of your readers, think that your freebies are great as they are. Even if they are included elsewhere on the net, who cares? There’s more than enough to inspire you on this site, and I’d rather have one point of reference than a long list of favourites to trawl through. Obviously there’ll be good articles and fillers, that’s life!
Keep up the good work.
Karl
December 16th, 2008 1:48 amHey Ben, It seems your light blur set has been decidely overpowered by the comments on the freebies situtation. A wicked set of brushes and will be definitely trying to squeeze them into some upcoming projects. Thanks alot. Keep it up!
DKumar M.
December 16th, 2008 3:02 amAnother Good collection of freebies !!
Thanks
DKumar M.
http://www.instantshift.com
Ben Collier
December 16th, 2008 3:07 amKarl – Yeh I was just thinking the same thing….not to worry, I’m stoked to have my set featured on such a great site. Send my through a copy of your designs if you ever end up using them! Thanks for the props
joshua
December 16th, 2008 3:35 amYeah- the brushes are great. Thanks. About the freebie posts: yes. It is handy that you guys are trawling for all this stuff and collecting it up, and with usually great quality control. It means I don’t have to. I like that. So thank you, unreservedly.
Please keep it going. But other articles! Yes! That would also be nice. So fine. Both. hahahahaha
palmateer
December 16th, 2008 4:26 amWho doesn’t love freebies? Searching for freebies is how I stumbled across Smashing Mag to begin with! And with you guys compiling big groups of them for us, I just bookmark the page until I need them. Thanks so much!
Ian
December 16th, 2008 5:48 am“if it aint broke, don’t fix it!”
keep on rockin’ SM!
:)
jez
December 16th, 2008 5:51 amsmashing magazine is ace for all design resources. keep up the good work guys
Sandra
December 16th, 2008 6:13 amI love this place. Every since I stumbled across it, I check it every day for helpful hints on EVERYTHING. I teach so any and all freebies are a godsend. It saves me time from searching the internet for things. Keep up the amazing work!
david Triptree
December 16th, 2008 7:14 amfreebies are why i’m here. Your articles are good too tho. i liked the one about adverts on pages,
nicole
December 16th, 2008 8:04 amfreebies rock. very helpful indeed. keep it up :)
Kevin
December 16th, 2008 8:21 amI am a UX designer and find the articles very helpful.
Dr. Girlfriend
December 16th, 2008 9:48 amGreat set, Ben — thanks!
To Everyone: Please don’t be afraid to voice your true opinions. We all love Smashing Magazine — or else we wouldn’t be here — nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. A little constructive criticism can only help Smashing become even greater! Let’s have more suggestions and less @ss-kissing, please ;)
As for myself, I enjoy seeing the freebies — it puts a smile on my face to see so many talented creatives given more exposure — but I never use them. Call it Designer’s Pride or whatever, but I want everything I create to come from my own hands. Still, the freebies have sometimes come in handy for sparking an idea or two when I get stuck, so I do find them helpful.
What I would like to see more of: Articles about problem-solving or how the writer got from Point A to Point B. I enjoy these types of articles immensely and find them really stimulating.
I would especially like to see the longer series articles show how the writer completed a project, like a website, from start to finish. The writer should go in depth on his/her process and preliminary sketchings should be included if they help to illustrate a point.
The “Roundups” are wonderful, but I feel they are most beneficial when one skilled person or a group of talented people write more in-depth commentaries with instructive critiques about why such-and-such “works” or “doesn’t work” rather than simply “here’s a collection of beautiful ____”.
The in-depth critiques and essays make Smashing Magazine stand head and shoulders above other websites; the reader feels as if s/he is investing time in truly learning something new, as when reading a real (print) magazine or book. More please!
And keep on Smashing!
Marcelo Barbosa
December 16th, 2008 4:15 pmHello from Originar – Rio de Janeiro
Nice Freebies !!!!
I would find the following topic: Working with color (meaning, theory, …)
Keep On SM !!!!!!
Danizmu
December 16th, 2008 6:13 pmThose decoration brushes are amazing!!! Thanks, SM! Also, i would like to see some quality free fonts released. Thanks again.
rhyme fanai
December 16th, 2008 9:42 pmNice and cool ….
brian
December 17th, 2008 12:04 pmI come to this website at least once a day. Pretty cool set.
For the most part the freebies are great, but I would never want to sacrafice quality articles, tutorials or inspiration for the sake of an icon set I will download and never use. In summary, love the freebies, but I don’t want them to take over the site and lose any valuable content.
kevin
December 17th, 2008 6:31 pmI just discovered your site and I love these freebies that you give away! You rule!
chiou
December 17th, 2008 7:54 pmthanks for the brushes, great design!
Anthem Creative
December 21st, 2008 10:20 amPeople complaining about freebies is the most retarded thing I’ve ever heard. Just because SM posts it, doesn’t mean you have to download or use it! But most of us do appreciate the effort that goes into finding these resources and making them available to us. Thank you SM, you do a wonderful service and have a great magazine. I am grateful, and the web would suck without you.
otodol77
December 22nd, 2008 1:55 pmpls can some one help with new photoshop i need the software mine stop working …send it to otodol77 at yahoo. com
LivE
January 6th, 2009 11:45 pmHi there! Thanks for all that you do for designers, both newbies and those who have been designing forever, and for everyone that stumbles upon your smashing site. I am de-lurking just to let you know that your site rocks as it is. It doesn’t stick its nose up in the air to pretend it’s high-brow; instead, it gives so much and so generously to such a wide range of people (us) who come here to get our fill of inspiration and information and, yes, even the freebies. ;) (It’s not easy to find high quality freebies that are ok for personal *and* commercial use).
I agree that openness to change is always good, and I admire you for asking for feedback from us. One can only improve in this way. Having said that, I tend to agree with “ian”. Once upon a time long ago, Coke changed its original formula when they learned that Pepsi was leading in the taste tests–it was a bad decision that had such dire results that they quickly went back to reinstating their original formula. Lesson learned? There’s a lot of wisdom in the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” :D
I think your site is awesome as it is… and trust that whatever you decide, it will be best. Happy New Year! :D
Sinoun
January 12th, 2009 3:56 pmI don’t understand why anyone would suggest NOT having freebies! I think they are great, and in addition to the articles they are extremely helpful! A special thanks to Smashing Magazine for constantly delivering relevant design material… I literally check this site every single day. You guys are great, keep up the nice work!
aide
January 30th, 2009 3:49 pmwow, thanks i dont speak english but this web is great
Snoob
February 14th, 2009 3:35 amI love you site very much, I useful thanks
Israa
February 25th, 2009 9:08 pmWow That was great.
i have a question please. How can i load Vectors to my PS??
shadolen White
March 16th, 2009 6:35 amThank you so much.
I will use the brushes on my web site that I’m creating.
I’m a student at Madison Media Institute working getting my Associate Degree.
silverlinedesigns.net
simon.cdlee
June 23rd, 2009 4:58 amfreebies-Thank you so much for you great help. I hope you have more to share your
experience together.
Carito
August 25th, 2009 2:25 pmMuchas gracias!! Excelentes
Sphynxylynxy
October 26th, 2009 2:01 amWordPress Templates, Themes, Brushes, Fonts, PSD Templates are all great. Regardless of what any other joe shmoe say’s. What might be better or helpful though is to give a link to those specific tutorials on how to create these desired freebies.
Best Regards to the great Smashing Magazine
Vicky Masterson
January 27th, 2010 8:05 amI love all the freebies, there’s something for everyone.
Ratko Nedovic
March 28th, 2010 1:29 pmThe brushes looks great. Thanks.
Giselle
June 4th, 2010 7:49 amTHANKS so much!
mex
September 4th, 2010 6:20 pmthanks, this great
ı want this long time..
tanks again.
Kosala
January 10th, 2011 5:09 amthanz for this set
jian hi
April 20th, 2011 8:44 pmThank you very much, I really need!