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The ever popular video scan lines

In seeking out effects and techniques for image editing, I have discovered that a very popular effect is the creation of the TV video lines effect, where an image is covered with a line pattern to simulate the effect of its being a video image. The technique is used frequently in paysite tours and in interactive advertising, and we thought that Wide's World readers might want to know how to create this effect for your adult graphics projects.

Tools from the toolbar

1. Open the image file over which you wish to apply the effect. Select File -> Open and choose the image file from your local directory or drive.

2. Create a new document for the effect pattern 2 pixels high and slightly wider than the canvas size of your image. Select File -> New and enter the dimensions to create the new document. Make sure the background of this document is transparent when you enter specifications.
3. Double click the line tool in the toolbar. Set the options for your line tool. In the example we used 1 pixel width, anti-aliasing is on and the opacity slider is set to 100%.

4. Hold down the shift key and click and drag with the line tool in the top half of the document window, drawing a straight line across the entire canvas from left to right. Zoom in if you must to ensure that the line reaches from the left to right edges on the canvas.

5. Select Select -> All.
6. Select Edit -> Define Pattern.
7. Select File -> Close to close window.
8. In the image document window, select Layer -> New -> Layer to create a new layer.
9. Select Edit -> Fill...-> Use -> Pattern and hit ENTER/OK.
10. Select the "Overlay" option in the layers palette window.

11. Select File -> Save to save your work.

That's the way to achieve the old video lines! In the future, try experimenting with the canvas size of your pattern, as well as other elements such as color and opacity, and so on. This pattern creating feature can offer endless creative potential! Until next time, Happy Hunting!

Reference

Mark's Photoshop Tips - Nice collection of easy PS effects!
Web Developer Anmiations - Photoshop designer's reference