how to photoshop (4): the basics

DarkSora

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i should've done this tutorial before the others, im sorry for the confusion. i'll do my best to explain the basics ;)

Using layers

layers are really important so make sure you know how to use these.
i'll use my zelda sig as an example:


the layer dialog can be found at the right hand side of photoshop in the corner. if not go to window>layers to make sure its ticked.

its useful if you name your layers, as most of the time you'll be dealing with over 5-6 layers which can be annoying when you can tell which ones they are, so rename them by right clicking the layer name and choosing layer properties. once named click ok:


the order of the layers is important. the higher the position of the layer means that it will come out on top of the rest of the layers, the one right at the bottom will be behind the top layers. so you would place your background at the bottom and this case place the Zelda's at the top. this can be done by simply dragging the layer name up and down.
ive outlined each layer as an example:


heres a quick explanation of what some of the buttons are in the layer dialog:


(1) create a new layer. this is really important and will create a new layer above the selected layer.
(2)delete a layer. you can delete a layer by right clicking and chossing delete :p
(3) displays the blendings used on the layer. to view them clcik on the little arrow to bring down a drop down list.
(4)opacity. select the blending of the layer from visible to invisble.
(5)blending. select the blending of the layers, really important if you want to make the layer look arty.:) see how to use these in the background making tutorial.
(6)toggle on/off. eye indicates that the layer is on (visible), if no eye is present it is off(not in the image)
(7)link. you can attach layers to eachother. useful when making movie images.

Blending
I use the blending alot and it helps make the image look really cool. to access the blending options simply right click the desired layer and choose "blending options" to bring up the blending dialog:


Drop shadow
this basically drops a shadow on the previous layer. its pretty simple in the options which asks you the colour and size.



Inner Shadow
this creates a shadow inside the image, the options again are simple. It helps make the layer seem more darker and is similar to Satin.the shadowing starts from the outline and moves inwards.


Outer glow
I use this alot.:D
it basically gives a glow from the outline outwards.




Inner glow
this works the same way as outer glow but gives a glow from the outlin inwards towards the middle of the layer.


Bevel and Emboss
This gives the layer a 3D outline thus making the layer lift off the canvas.
it also has 2 sub-sections; contour and Texture.
Contour emphasises the 3D look by rounding the edges and corners of the layer. Tetxure gives you the option to add a pattern to the 3D image.


Satin
This is actually quite cool as it creates a really nice effect, even though its similar to inner shadow:


U]Colour Overlay[/U]
One of the most useful blenders ever. :p its just the same as choosing a colour,lol, it just fills the whole layer. Gradiet overlay is just a gradient filler and the same goes for pattern overlay.


Stroke
Stroke basically gives the layer an extra outline with a solid colour or gradient.
Its pretty easy to use in the options.


Blending Options Default
this is also useful with the opacity options. theres also a fill opacity which i find really cool when working on text. I usually give my text a glow and make the fill opacity at 0%. see below:




Brushes
brushes are a new thing to me so im not an expert on it.:p
to access it:


Click the little arrow to bring down the brush set list:

there is also another little arrow pointing right, this is what you use to load other brushes.

Mini-Tutorial: Custom Brushes
Custom Brushes can be downloaded from this site:
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/psbrushes/?type=browse&offset=24
basically these are custom made brush sets which you can use. (see my background making tutorial)

to get your own custom brush:
1) first you need to fins a good looking. use this one for this tutorial:
brush:http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/psbrushes/?type=browse&offset=24

2)click download to desktop and save it in:
Program files>Adobe>Photoshop (for me its photoshop CS2)>presets>brushes

3) when its downloaded, in photoshop click that little arrow button in the brush set option to open up a list:

then click on load brushes and find Aedificium_Set3 in the folder which you saved it in. ;)

4) go back to brush head options and scroll down to see and select different designs.

When you use these brushes, never drag them!!!
  • Dont drag
  • use as stamps
  • dont use the same head more than once
  • use different layers to bring out the designs
  • dont stick them everywhere, place them strategically (bad spelling!:p)
  • see my background tutorial,lol.:D
  • and finally: GET EXPERIMENTING :p
a much better explanation:
Meddigo said:
I'll just quickly explain and then Sora can do a better tut on it. Get a brush head and just CLICK without moving the brush anywhere, just click once. It creates a coloured area the shape of the brush yes? Now thats all you need to do, everywhere and anywhere you want. I tend to me a bit random and heavy on the bottom layer (but following a good rule Sora told me of not over lapping much) and then on the next layers just highliting or shadowing areas depending on the colour.


now you may post:p
 

Mike

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Thanks! this is a big (and im sure helpful) tutorial
 

meddigo

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I'm just going to pick on a point Sora, hope you don't mind, this is just how I read this, so it's probs just me!!

For brush useage...

"dont use the same head more than once"

Thats to say, don't use about 6 million different brush heads on one layer, use a brush head of each layer. He means just don't use the same brush head on every single layer, just keep one to one.

I'll update the tut list!!

Meddigo
 

Mike

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meddigo said:
Thats to say, don't use about 6 million different brush heads on one layer, use a brush head of each layer. He means just don't use the same brush head on every single layer, just keep one to one.


Meddigo
oooooo i wondered why mine looked really odd. I still cant understand how you can use the bush without brushing it :confused: can you do like a little tutorial just a few pics of how to apply the brushes coz i dont understand when you say just stamp
 

DarkSora

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mikesmith165 said:
oooooo i wondered why mine looked really odd. I still cant understand how you can use the bush without brushing it :confused: can you do like a little tutorial just a few pics of how to apply the brushes coz i dont understand when you say just stamp
lol, ok, i'll update this tut, with another section.
thats what i mean, to only use one brush once, so you use one brush and then change to a different one etc. i dont mean use one brush for one layer and then change :confused: and also not to change the brush set either at all.
 

meddigo

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I'll just quickly explain and then Sora can do a better tut on it. Get a brush head and just CLICK without moving the brush anywhere, just click once. It creates a coloured area the shape of the brush yes? Now thats all you need to do, everywhere and anywhere you want. I tend to me a bit random and heavy on the bottom layer (but following a good rule Sora told me of not over lapping much) and then on the next layers just highliting or shadowing areas depending on the colour. That help?

Sorry if I'm taking your limelight Sora!! Just we have two different ways of explaining things so yeah really :D I have to go for a bit, I'm nearly finished with a new tutorial so I'll post it when its all finished!!

Meddigo
 

DarkSora

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meddigo said:
I'll just quickly explain and then Sora can do a better tut on it. Get a brush head and just CLICK without moving the brush anywhere, just click once. It creates a coloured area the shape of the brush yes? Now thats all you need to do, everywhere and anywhere you want. I tend to me a bit random and heavy on the bottom layer (but following a good rule Sora told me of not over lapping much) and then on the next layers just highliting or shadowing areas depending on the colour. That help?

Sorry if I'm taking your limelight Sora!! Just we have two different ways of explaining things so yeah really :D I have to go for a bit, I'm nearly finished with a new tutorial so I'll post it when its all finished!!

Meddigo
:D perfect. i'll add this is in if its okay? its much better then mine.:)
 

Mike

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K yer thanxs that helps, on each layer my brush is always white, in the background ones darksora talks about changing the colour is it the colour of the brush or the layer? (my layers dont appear colours) im sorry for asking all these dumb questions but ive never used any paint program as complex as this its a whole different world and im not used to it :eek:
 

DarkSora

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mikesmith165 said:
K yer thanxs that helps, on each layer my brush is always white, in the background ones darksora talks about changing the colour is it the colour of the brush or the layer? (my layers dont appear colours) im sorry for asking all these dumb questions but ive never used any paint program as complex as this its a whole different world and im not used to it :eek:
sorry for the confusion.:(
i meant the colour of the brush.
 

Mike

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DarkSora said:
sorry for the confusion.:(
i meant the colour of the brush.
Omg really?!:eek: i have been trying to change layer colour, see i told you i had no idea. Once i do a bit more of my sci coursework i think i got enough tutorials to get me started on my first go at a background :eek:
 

meddigo

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DarkSora said:
:D perfect. i'll add this is in if its okay? its much better then mine.:)
lol er...yeah sure :confused: everything goes to you though, your the one who explained it to me!! We seem to make a good team eh? ;) Fancy starting a proper website on this? I keep toying with the idea of re doing my show case site (currently Immoral Designs). Heres the new layout (and new name) I put together;

http://meddigo.zeph.co.uk/images/Xanaphix V.1.jpeg

Don't think it looks good anymore lol...but then, now that I know how to do some funky background a complete redesign will ovvy need to be done anyway :D

So what do you reckon people? Would you like to see us join up and create a website for you all?

EDIT: forgot to say, Mike - go for it dude :D make sure you post what you get ok? Even if you think its crap post it because we can always give you pointers and hell, there are people who are worse than you or people that won't ever post their stuff. So show us!

Meddigo
 

Ronin

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how do u cut out certain parts of pics, like how did u just get that part of link
 

DarkSora

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Ronin said:
how do u cut out certain parts of pics, like how did u just get that part of link
for that i turned the layers off, but when i made the full sig, i used the polygonal lasso tool to cut link out>copy and paste it as a new layer ;)
 

Ronin

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how do u smooth the edges around them when u cut them out
 
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