Sig/Avatar tutorials by the makers [Index in First Post]

[Furuno]

Night Scene Tutorial

Hello again! This is my third tutorial and I hope you all don't get bored with me. Anyway, this time we will learning about how to create a night background scene with stars and moon on it. The step of making the stars here is something that I've referenced from Greg Martin's amazing star field tutorial that I've simplify and modified it to fit the needs. I'd actually want to repeat all of those words I've said in my previous tutorial, but I think it's pointless to do so now... So let's just get started.

After finishing this tutorial, you should be able to create something like this :


The application needed now is only Adobe Photoshop, note that there will be some issues if you don't use the CS3 version, but, don't worry, I'll point it all and explain the workaround in older version of Adobe Photoshop.

As usual, the before-first step is to open Photoshop and any other necessary applications...

Spoiler for Tutorial:

Step 1
Create an image with your preferred signature size. However, it is better to create an image with larger size so we can work on it easier. In my example, since my preferred signature size is 400 x 150 pixels, I will use double of the size, which is 800 x 300 pixels. Leave other settings at default.


Step 2
Select your render image (a character (or whatever) image that has been separated from it's background). Make sure your render is meet the size of your current image. If it does not meet that, you may resize or crop the image first. In my example, I will use this render, they are Usami Renko and Maribel Hearn from Touhou Series. After you place your render, delete your default Background layer.


Step 3
Create a new layer and move it below your render layer. Name it Background. Then, select two basic color that will be used as the night sky gradient. In my example, I'm using #0d0828 and #314677 as my foreground and background color respectively. After that, grab your Gradient Tool and create a vertical gradient on your Background layer with the brighter color placed in the bottom.

NOTE : You can see that my render here is not that good, you can see with artifacts on the edge, but I will do a workaround for this later :P

Step 4
Select Filter > Distort > Wave... Adjust the settings in the Wave dialogue box similiar to mine. The point here is to use a large enough wavelength, also make sure that you are using sine wave. Click on Randomize several time until you get the effect what you want. Hit OK when you're satisfied.


Step 5
Create a new layer, name it Stars and put it between the Render and Background layer and fill it with black.


Step 6
Select Filter > Noise > Add Noise... Use a 10% amount and Gaussian distribution. Also, make sure to check the Monochromatic checkbox. Hit OK when you're done.


Step 7
Select Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast... If in your Brightness/Contrast dialogue box there is a Use Legacy checkbox, check it, if there is no such dialogue box, it's OK. Now adjust the brigthness and contrast until the noise on the layer start looking like a not too bright small stars. Hit OK when you're satisfied.


Step 8
Duplicate your Stars layer. Now redo the previous Brightness/Contrast adjustment on the Stars Copy layer but with more harsh settings. Make them look like white dots rather than stars. Hit OK when you're satisfied.


Step 9
Press CTRL+T to transform your Stars Copy layer. On the top bar (just below the menu bar), use 200% as the W and H values. And then hit the check marks just right after the settings when you're done.


Step 10
Press CTRL+I to invert the colors of your Stars Copy layer. After that, select Image > Adjustments > Levels... (or hit CTRL+L). Adjust the three dialogue boxes on the Input Levels section to 225, 1.00, and 250. Hit OK when you're done and press CTRL+I again to return the inverted colors.


Step 11
Press CTRL+T again to re-resize your Stars Copy layer. This time, resize it to 55%. After that, change the blending mode of the Stars Copy layer to Color Dodge and merge it with the Stars layer again. Then, change the blending mode of the merged layer to Linear Dodge (Add).


Step 12
Create a new layer, name it Stars Eraser or whatever. Place it just above your Stars layer and clip it onto the Stars layer. You can do this by clicking on the borderline between the Stars and Eraser layer on your layer pane while holding ALT.


Step 13
Grab your Rectangular Marquee Tool and create a selection about half of the image where you want the stars to disappear (fade). Then fill it with black (press SHIFT+F5 to do this). Note that the stars on the filled area is disappeared. Press CTRL+D to deselect when you're done.


Step 14
Select Filter > Distort > Wave... again and make a similiar effect as you did with the Background layer.


Step 15
Select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur... Set the setting to high according to your image size and your preference. Now, if you don't like the pre-maed fade effect, you can grab your brush tool and start brushing on the Stars Eraser layer. Or, you can grab your eraser tool and start erasing on the Stars layer.


Step 16
Add a moon. You can use my first tutorial to create the moon. Place your Moon layer above your Stars and Stars Eraser layer.


Step 17
Create a new layer between the Stars and Stars Eraser layer, name it Moon Eraser or whatever, make sure it is also clipped to the Stars layer. We will now create the dark side of the moon which is absent in my moon tutorial. To do this, simply use a just slightly larger brush with the moon size and brush it on the Moon Eraser layer at the moon position. When you're done brushing, give it a Gaussian Blur with medium setting.


As a final note, if you resizing your image to smaller size so it meets the signature rules specification, you might get that the start is getting dimmer and blurry after resizing. To remedy this problem, there's a numerous way. The most convinient way for me is by using the exposure adjustment (Image > Adjustments > Exposure...) on the Stars layer.

And we're done! Congratulations! Well, it's not exactly match my example but I hope you now get the picture on how draw a night scene by using Adobe Photoshop. Now you can add more effects such as text and borders to spice up your sigs. Here, I'm using an outer glow layer style to the render to hide the white artifacts stated on step 3 note and added some text and my "trademark" fading white border.

Well, that's end my third tutorial here. Thanks for your attention and as usual, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to send a private messages to me or post it on my thread. See you next time on my next tutorial! ...maybe...

[Endrance]

Hi i was wondering if anyone could help me with the slice tool...i'm hopelessly lost on how to use it

[Riker]

Originally Posted by Endrance

Hi i was wondering if anyone could help me with the slice tool...i'm hopelessly lost on how to use it

Here you go.

[Hakuryu]

There seems to be a problem with my Adobe Imageready. (Or at least, that's what I'm assuming)
I was going to make an animated avatar and, as usual, I used Virtual dub to get the frames. But when I opened it in Imageready, all the frames/layers turned up white. Any help please?

Here's a screen shot

[Riker]

Originally Posted by Hakuryu

There seems to be a problem with my Adobe Imageready. (Or at least, that's what I'm assuming)
I was going to make an animated avatar and, as usual, I used Virtual dub to get the frames. But when I opened it in Imageready, all the frames/layers turned up white. Any help please?

Here's a screen shot

The file that you opened is called "eat.avi". Did you open an avi file instead of a sequence of images?

[Hakuryu]

Originally Posted by Riker

The file that you opened is called "eat.avi". Did you open an avi file instead of a sequence of images?

Nope, I got the frames, then did File->Save as .avi. Just like I always do.

[Riker]

Originally Posted by Hakuryu

Nope, I got the frames, then did File->Save as .avi. Just like I always do.

Hmmm, what I usually do in virtual dub is to go File -> Save Image Sequence. Maybe you can try that and see if it works.

[Hakuryu]

Originally Posted by Riker

Hmmm, what I usually do in virtual dub is to go File -> Save Image Sequence. Maybe you can try that and see if it works.

I don't have that save option. Is there a newer version of Vdub out then? I have version 1.7.2

It's strange that it just happened today; it was working fine yesterday.

[Sephi]

Make sure compression is on "uncompressed RGB/YCBcr".

You can change that at Video>Compression (Ctrl+P)

If that wasn't it, than i'm clueless as to why it's happening

[Hakuryu]

Originally Posted by Sephi

Make sure compression is on "uncompressed RGB/YCBcr".

You can change that at Video>Compression (Ctrl+P)

If that wasn't it, than i'm clueless as to why it's happening

Yup, it was already set to that. Thanks anyway. ^^;

[Izayoi]

Codec problem dear, divx or xvid doesn't work for imageready WALA

~Edit: don't mind the Wala, seriously.

[Evil Rick]

Originally Posted by Furuno

Night Scene Tutorial

Hello again! This is my third tutorial and I hope you all don't get bored with me. Anyway, this time we will learning about how to create a night background scene with stars and moon on it. The step of making the stars here is something that I've referenced from Greg Martin's amazing star field tutorial that I've simplify and modified it to fit the needs. I'd actually want to repeat all of those words I've said in my previous tutorial, but I think it's pointless to do so now... So let's just get started.

After finishing this tutorial, you should be able to create something like this :


The application needed now is only Adobe Photoshop, note that there will be some issues if you don't use the CS3 version, but, don't worry, I'll point it all and explain the workaround in older version of Adobe Photoshop.

As usual, the before-first step is to open Photoshop and any other necessary applications...

Spoiler for Tutorial:

Step 1
Create an image with your preferred signature size. However, it is better to create an image with larger size so we can work on it easier. In my example, since my preferred signature size is 400 x 150 pixels, I will use double of the size, which is 800 x 300 pixels. Leave other settings at default.


Step 2
Select your render image (a character (or whatever) image that has been separated from it's background). Make sure your render is meet the size of your current image. If it does not meet that, you may resize or crop the image first. In my example, I will use this render, they are Usami Renko and Maribel Hearn from Touhou Series. After you place your render, delete your default Background layer.


Step 3
Create a new layer and move it below your render layer. Name it Background. Then, select two basic color that will be used as the night sky gradient. In my example, I'm using #0d0828 and #314677 as my foreground and background color respectively. After that, grab your Gradient Tool and create a vertical gradient on your Background layer with the brighter color placed in the bottom.

NOTE : You can see that my render here is not that good, you can see with artifacts on the edge, but I will do a workaround for this later :P

Step 4
Select Filter > Distort > Wave... Adjust the settings in the Wave dialogue box similiar to mine. The point here is to use a large enough wavelength, also make sure that you are using sine wave. Click on Randomize several time until you get the effect what you want. Hit OK when you're satisfied.


Step 5
Create a new layer, name it Stars and put it between the Render and Background layer and fill it with black.


Step 6
Select Filter > Noise > Add Noise... Use a 10% amount and Gaussian distribution. Also, make sure to check the Monochromatic checkbox. Hit OK when you're done.


Step 7
Select Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast... If in your Brightness/Contrast dialogue box there is a Use Legacy checkbox, check it, if there is no such dialogue box, it's OK. Now adjust the brigthness and contrast until the noise on the layer start looking like a not too bright small stars. Hit OK when you're satisfied.


Step 8
Duplicate your Stars layer. Now redo the previous Brightness/Contrast adjustment on the Stars Copy layer but with more harsh settings. Make them look like white dots rather than stars. Hit OK when you're satisfied.


Step 9
Press CTRL+T to transform your Stars Copy layer. On the top bar (just below the menu bar), use 200% as the W and H values. And then hit the check marks just right after the settings when you're done.


Step 10
Press CTRL+I to invert the colors of your Stars Copy layer. After that, select Image > Adjustments > Levels... (or hit CTRL+L). Adjust the three dialogue boxes on the Input Levels section to 225, 1.00, and 250. Hit OK when you're done and press CTRL+I again to return the inverted colors.


Step 11
Press CTRL+T again to re-resize your Stars Copy layer. This time, resize it to 55%. After that, change the blending mode of the Stars Copy layer to Color Dodge and merge it with the Stars layer again. Then, change the blending mode of the merged layer to Linear Dodge (Add).


Step 12
Create a new layer, name it Stars Eraser or whatever. Place it just above your Stars layer and clip it onto the Stars layer. You can do this by clicking on the borderline between the Stars and Eraser layer on your layer pane while holding ALT.


Step 13
Grab your Rectangular Marquee Tool and create a selection about half of the image where you want the stars to disappear (fade). Then fill it with black (press SHIFT+F5 to do this). Note that the stars on the filled area is disappeared. Press CTRL+D to deselect when you're done.


Step 14
Select Filter > Distort > Wave... again and make a similiar effect as you did with the Background layer.


Step 15
Select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur... Set the setting to high according to your image size and your preference. Now, if you don't like the pre-maed fade effect, you can grab your brush tool and start brushing on the Stars Eraser layer. Or, you can grab your eraser tool and start erasing on the Stars layer.


Step 16
Add a moon. You can use my first tutorial to create the moon. Place your Moon layer above your Stars and Stars Eraser layer.


Step 17
Create a new layer between the Stars and Stars Eraser layer, name it Moon Eraser or whatever, make sure it is also clipped to the Stars layer. We will now create the dark side of the moon which is absent in my moon tutorial. To do this, simply use a just slightly larger brush with the moon size and brush it on the Moon Eraser layer at the moon position. When you're done brushing, give it a Gaussian Blur with medium setting.


As a final note, if you resizing your image to smaller size so it meets the signature rules specification, you might get that the start is getting dimmer and blurry after resizing. To remedy this problem, there's a numerous way. The most convinient way for me is by using the exposure adjustment (Image > Adjustments > Exposure...) on the Stars layer.

And we're done! Congratulations! Well, it's not exactly match my example but I hope you now get the picture on how draw a night scene by using Adobe Photoshop. Now you can add more effects such as text and borders to spice up your sigs. Here, I'm using an outer glow layer style to the render to hide the white artifacts stated on step 3 note and added some text and my "trademark" fading white border.

Well, that's end my third tutorial here. Thanks for your attention and as usual, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to send a private messages to me or post it on my thread. See you next time on my next tutorial! ...maybe...

Cool tutorial!

This is my outcome



Is it okay?

[Furuno]

Originally Posted by Evil Rick

Cool tutorial!

This is my outcome



Is it okay?

Well, I think you should try adjusting the exposure of the stars layer a little bit so that it'll emphasize the stars even more. But nice job on the moon!

[BearShare]

Signature Tutorial

Spoiler:

[BearShare]

Another one. If you need the psd, I'll post that up too.
Tut/signature are now owned by me.

(oh and the box shaped things are actually from a font)

Spoiler:

[Crontica]

Woot i finished one of the tutorials. took awhile

Spoiler for Render Complete:

Here is my render hope its ok

Spoiler for Finished Product:

[Sephi]

Glad someone made use of the tutorial

It's quite good for a first one. There are still some white spots though, but it's more than usable for a signature.

Goodluck with the other one

[Evil Rick]

Hey people! A question, anyone knows of a good site in wich I could find good C4Ds?

Thanks in advice

[BearShare]

deviantart

[NorthernFallout]

Originally Posted by Evil Rick

Hey people! A question, anyone knows of a good site in wich I could find good C4Ds?

Thanks in advice

Deviantart and you can also check planetrenders.net