10 Best Photo Effects to Create Blurs, Cracks, and Shattered Glass in Photoshop

Save yourself the trouble of learning every effect in Adobe Photoshop. Instead, use one-click actions that apply the same style with much less effort. In this roundup, I’m going to share ten of my favorite actions that simulate glass styles, including blurs, shatter, crack effects, and more, all from Envato Elements.

Envato Elements is an all-you-can-download platform for creatives. It includes thousands of Photoshop actions (including broken glass photo effects) that are vetted for quality. All of these actions are available for download as part of the Elements subscription.

1. Shattered Glass Picture Photoshop Action (ATN, PNG)

It never feels good to break a piece of glass, but the broken, cracked image effect can look stunning. Recreate those same shattered glass shards in pictures with this action that can accentuate any photo. It’s a realistic broken glass photo effect worth trying out.

2. Wet Glass Photoshop Action (ATN)

Looking outside your window on a rainy day creates a certain mood and feel. You can recreate it even on the sunniest day with this action.

3. Wet Glass Photoshop Action 2 (ATN, PSD)

This effect reminds me of a fogged-up window or glass pane. Try applying this steamy effect to your own image for a unique glass look.

4. Shatter 2: Fractured Glass Photo Effect (ATN, ABR)

Here’s another incredible action with the broken glass picture effect. Just apply this action to take your existing image and apply color-coordinated glass particles that match your image. The results are a cool take on the shattered glass picture style.

5. Dimension Animated Photoshop Template (PSD)

Apply this to an image for a shiny glass effect thanks to the reflective effect of the lines as shown in the preview image. This actually can play as a looping, animated GIF.

6. Dimension Cracked Image Effect Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)

This futuristic reflective effect reminds me of the feel of a house of mirrors. Add a bit of dimension and reflections with this action thanks to the cracked image effect. It’s a cool twist on the fractured glass photo look.

7. Broken Glass Picture Effect Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR)

Fade a character into a shattered glass with the Broken glass photo effect Photoshop action. Adjust the particle size to vary the shattering effect. This broken image effect has a video tutorial included, so you can use it with ease.

8. Seizure Broken Glass Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)

Here’s another trippy broken glass photo effect that also features adjustable color effects. Combining a shattered and mirrored effect, the broken glass Photoshop action really draws the focus to a subject. Use it if you want a stylized broken image effect for your projects.

9. Fragment Broken Glass Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR)

The Fragment Broken Glass Photoshop Action is perfect for action sports thanks to the color tinting (use your squad’s colors!) and sense of motion. It blends smoke with broken glass picture effects.

10. Shattered Glass Picture Photoshop Action (ATN)

This action creates a hairline crack and shattering effect that reminds me of the fate of my last few iPhones. Apply the broken image effect for the same fractured glass style in your photos.

More Photoshop Actions in Action

You’ve found some Photoshop actions to add a cracked image effect to your work. If you want to try other types of effects, we’ve got you covered here on Envato Tuts+. Check out some of these downloads and tutorials below: