Photoshop can be used to make an image appear as if you are looking at it through a pane of glass. If you want to simply make an image that looks like glass, without the distorted picture in the background, you can do that by choosing an image with only several colors, such as a cloudy sky. Either way, you will begin with a digital image and edit it to make it look like glass.
 
 Photoshop Action Effects
 Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
 1

Open the digital image file in Photoshop. This is done by clicking on "File" and then "Open" in the top menu bar. A window will open showing the files stored on your computer. Find the image file, and click on it to open.

 2

Click on "Filter" in the top menu bar. A drop down menu will appear. Click on "Artistic" in that menu. A side menu will appear; click on "Rough Pastels."

 3

Look for "Underpainting." After clicking on "Rough Pastels," a new window opens that shows your image to the far left and two columns of controls to the right. In the center control, there will be an icon with the word "Underpainting." Click on "Underpainting."

 4

Click on "Distort." Below "Underpainting" is a column of files. One of these is "Distort." Click on "Distort" and the file will open. From that file, choose "Glass."

 5

Look at the column on the far right. There are slide controls that will allow you to change the distortion and smoothness of the effects. After you are happy with how your picture looks, click "OK."

 6

Save your file using the "Save As" command, and give it a new name. If you use the "Save" command, the original (nonglass) image will be copied over.