Tiny Planet Effect in Affinity Photo

In this tutorial, we will create a tiny planet effect in Affinity Photo. Using panoramic photos (photos stretched horizontally) is the key to creating this effect. Also, landscape images work best.

Step 1

First, go to the link with the cityscape image. Click the drop-down arrow beside the Free Download. Then, select the Original image size and click Free Download.

Step 2

Next, click Open with Affinity Photo and Ok.

Step 3

Now, go to Affinity Photo. Unlock the image in the Layers Panel.

Step 4

After that, go to the Document menu and select Resize Document. Click the Lock icon to unlock the dimensions. Next, set the width to 2060 px. Then, click Resize.

Step 5

Grab the Move Tool. Right click on the image and go to Transform. Then, select Flip Vertical.

Step 6

Now, go to the Filters menu. Next, go to Distort > Rectangular to Polar.

Step 7

Next, grab the Healing Brush Tool from the Tools Panel. Press CTRL + Alt. Then, press Alt and click on the right part of the sky to make it the source. After that, take the brush and go down the vertical line to get rid of it.

Step 8

With the Healing Brush Tool still active, press CTRL + Alt. Then, press Alt and click on part of the water on the right side. Take the brush and blend away the vertical line that’s in the water.

Step 9

Next, press Alt and select some of the blueish cloud area.

Step 10

Once you’ve done that, go to the link with the man. Go to Free download and download the Original image size. Then, select Open with Affinity Photo.

Step 11

Now, go back to Affinity Photo. Grab the Selection Brush Tool from the Tools Panel. Next, set the Mode to Add and make sure Snap to Edges is checked in the Context Toolbar.

Step 12

Take the brush and select the man. Now, switch to the Subtract Mode to select the space between the man’s legs and his left hand.

Step 13

After that, go to the Context Toolbar and select Refine. Set the Output to New Layer. Then, hit Apply.

Step 14

Next, copy the man layer and paste him onto the tiny planet.

Step 15

Go to the Transform Panel and click the Lock Aspect Ratio. Resize the man and place him in the center of the grass area.

Step 16

Now, select the man layer. Press CTRL + J to make a duplicate of it. Or right click on the layer and select Duplicate.

Step 17

In the Layers Panel, select the original man layer and name it Shadow.

Step 18

With the shadow layer selected, press, and hold CTRL. Then, select the shadow layer.

Step 19

Take the shadow layer and smush it. Then, resize it to form the man’s shadow.

Step 20

Next, go to the Filters menu > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to 2 px.

Step 21

Now, go to the Layers Panel and lower the Opacity of the shadow layer to about 30%.

Congratulations, you’ve created a tiny planet effect in Affinity Photo. For more Affinity Photo tutorials, check out this article on how to create a sliced head manipulation.

Here’s the link for the album mockup for the bonus section of the tiny planet effect tutorial.