Photoshop for DIM

April 3, 2014

Basics of Photoshop Animation

Create an animation that meets the following guidelines:

Use the picture below for help/reference!

• Must include at least three elements (example: text, text, photo)
• 1280x720 pixel dimensions for your photoshop document; 72 PPI, RGB Color
• Movement of at least one block of text across page
• Opacity change of at least one element
• Animated changing of layer styles on at least two elements that involve at least two different layer styles changing per element
  • For example, drop shadow and stroke on one, drop shadow and bevel/emboss on another
• Warping of Text occurs on at least one text element
• Must include at least one photograph, graphic, logo, or some sort of image that is animated by you.

Save your file as Animation Practice.psd

March 24, 2014

Painting in Photoshop - Mixer Brush

Here you will find a basic guide to using the Mixer Brush tool in Photoshop. The Mixer Brush is an incredible tool that will allow you to basically mix colors on a brush with the pixels that make up an image or even smear the image pixels around as if they were paint. Through other tool options, you can also have precise control over the 'wetness' of the brush and image pixels alike. As you read up on this tutorial, select an image for 'painting' that has multiple features but doesn't require any specific, fine details. A landscape photo of some sort would be ideal. Once you have your photo, utilize the different types of painting motions described in the tutorial to create your own work! Remember to adapt the appropriate painting method for whatever you're painting, be it long, straight strokes or more circular ones.

March 24, 2014

Typography Tutorial - Textured Letterpress design

Here you will find the tutorial to complete after you finish the aged photos. It's nothing super-new as far as technical skills, but just another exposure to combining several skills into an entirely new visual effect.

keep in mind the following as you work:

• when it tells you to use the 'gauze' texture from the Photoshop's Artist Surfaces, you need to go to the 'pattern overlay' layer style and hit the drop-down to pick the pattern. To get to that specific library, you hit the 'play' button, just as you would to get to additional brush libraries.
• When they cue you to use specific fonts or images (such as the grunge texture from their own site/collection), you'll simply get your own (large size) image of the same nature, or use an existing font on your pc.

March 21, 2014

Audio History WOrksheet

Say what? I know... it's not photoshop, but since I'm gone to UIL and you're corraled in the auditorium, it's what you've got. Unless, of course, you are in 9th period. You'll be given a worksheet on audio history to complete. If you lose the worksheet, it can be downloaded at the bottom of this page (the file is named 'audio history worksheet') and even filled out digitally. in other words, 'i lost it' is not an excuse. THIS WORKSHEET IS DUE BY THE END OF THE DAY MONDAY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN WORK WITH OTHERS OR COME SEE ME MONDAY DURING ADVISORY.

March 6, 2014

Oh, how the years go by...

Before you begin this project, be sure that I have your first face swap on my USB drive in the Finished Student Work folder.

Now that you have some face swapping and blending mode work down, we're going to use a second face not for swapping, but rather aging. Look to the files at the bottom of this page for the following two files:

• Aged Photos - a Word document with project instructions
• Original Old People - a zip file containing multiple photos of lovely, wrinkly faces
  • Remember that you will have to copy/paste the images out of the zip file to actually make use of them! It's best to make a folder of the same name as the zip file, then just copy and paste all of them out all at once.

To complete this project, you will need some faces to age. We'll need some volunteer faces, and a quick shot with the cameras from a straight-on perspective.

March 5, 2014

FACE SWAP!

Using the video on my USB, you will swap faces with two celebrities or bushland folks. While doing so, remember the following:

• if you don't have a USB drive, then get one from me. the network documents are misbehaving this morning.
• Your 'face' you're adding should be larger or close to the same size as the original face. You can't increase it in size!
• Pick two photos with about the same skin tone. It's not impossible to match up a pale face with a very dark one, but it's a lot more work on your part. Give this a try after you've successfully done it with easier faces.
• Add a layer mask to the 'face' layer, and then paint black on that to hide the faces.
• Your face photos should be from about the same perspective (side shot, head-on, slightly pointed to the side). They can be to different sides, but you will have to go to edit --> transform --> flip horizontal to make them match.
• Check the Flow and Opacity of your brush tool!
• You must clip the adjustment layers to the 'face' layer via clipping mask!

March 4, 2014

An Intro to Dodging and Burning

This tutorial will introduce you to the Dodge and Burn tools. Some of you have already learned how these tools have worked, but probably none of you have used them nondestructively. For the sake of the tutorial, you may want to just right-click on the photo they use in the tutorial and save it, or you could seek out a similar photo using google images. Don't waste too much time doing the latter, though; again, at this point it's really about just learning the concept. When you are done, save this as (first and last name) Dodge and Burn Practice.psd for me to collect/view when I return.

March 2, 2014

Transparency masking and channels

This project will delve into the Channels panel (located in the bottom right corner of Photoshop, tabbed with the Layers Panel), as well as blending modes. All in all, it's really not that complicated; it just utilizes multiple copies of channels and layers with blending modes set differently. If you get stuck, use a neighbor for help. If you get asked for help, BE HELPFUL.

NOTE: In case cyberroam gets in your way, you can download the picture used in the tutorial from the bottom of this page. It is named 'glass-water-original.'

February 24, 2014

Comic Book Phase II

Now that you have finished creating your comic book images, you'll work individually or in pairs to combine your group's images into 8.5 x 11" panels. The panels should include no more than 6 images per page. If your group has at least 8 images, then have the different pairs in your groups make different pages. However, if you have fewer than 8, the different pairs in your group can use the same images in their panels. instead of copying and pasting over JPEGs of the pictures, simply place the finished PSD files of each photo so that you have editable Smart Objects.

February 17, 2014

Comic Book Appearance Project

Using this site, you will learn how to give a regular photo a comic book-like appearance. - REMEMBER the following as you do the 'comic book effect:'

• PAY ATTENTION to what layer is active when you are applying filters, adjustments, layer styles, etc.
• instead of following the directions 100%, there are a few places you'll do things different:
  • use Adjustment LAYERS instead of the adjustments in the IMAGE menu.
  • convert the image layers to smart objects before adding filters
  • you will most likely have to use higher values than they use in the tutorial for the film grain and 'color halftone' filters (more specifically, the halftone effect will require a value of 12 or higher)
  • when drawing the shapes for narration, be sure you have the rectangle tool option set to 'shape layers' so that they are vector shapes. This is the second button on the options bar.
  • when trying to color the shapes, you won't actually be able to color them with a gradient; instead, you can select the shape layer and use a gradient overlay from the layer styles (FX button).

You will work within a group to do the following:

• Plan out a comic book sequence that will involve at least 6 different images, all of which are capable of being taken within the school. They shouldn't involve any weapons-based violence or school-inappropriate actions. Have it written out for my approval.
• In your group, take to the halls and take the necessary photos.
• Bring it back to the classroom, divide up so that every member is responsible for at least one image via photoshop, and then work together to create the action sequence. You should have a consistent look across the panels and from member to member.
• You will be graded upon the following:
  • Individual efforts across the project for daily grades
  • Number of panels: less than 5 will not get you credit.
  • Consistency across group members' designs
  • Accuracy of 'comic book effect' within your design
  • Source photos should be properly focused and white balanced
    • There should be no motion blur, either, unless it is part of the scene
    • Ask if you need help getting used to setting the camera properly for shots.
    • USE A TRIPOD!

February 12, 2014

Blend If

With this tutorial, you will learn how to use the Blend If feature of Photoshop. This is extremely useful for precise control of how two layers blend together, based on their color contents.

February 7, 2014

Catch-up Day

With the weather the last two days, I'm sure you all need some time to catch up, especially with 9th period being so short on Tuesday. Take this time to do anything you haven't managed to get to yet, the next current event (Feb 18 Due Date!), THIS current event (AFTER TODAY IT IS A 0!), or work for other classes. See you Monday!

February 6, 2014

Saturation vs Vibrance

Read this article on saturation vs. vibrance adjustment layers in Photoshop. Once you do, download the picture at the bottom of this page named 'small-winclean-desat' and add a vibrance adjustment to enrich the color. Save that one as a JPEG named gaston-vibrance. Then, delete that adjustment and use saturation to enrich the color. save it as gaston-saturation. We'll look at them when I get back.

Next, run through this tutorial and save your work as a PSD named metal-texture.

February 5, 2014

Further Practice with Blending Modes

If you have finished your screen design, try this tutorial for Working more with blending modes and brushes.

January 30, 2014

Screen Designs with Photoshop

Using some of your newfound Photoshop skills, you will create a design for an upcoming event that can be posted to the displays in the commons/cafeteria. To do so, follow these guidelines:

• Image size: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Resolution: 72 ppi
• In your design, include some or all of the following:
  • Use of brushes for accents/decoration
  • Clipping masks to either create the 'knockout' effect for text or other shapes, or simply to fill specific text or shapes with a photo/texture
  • Blending modes to add texture to an image, text, or shape
  • Semi-transparent shapes to make text easier to read on a photographic background
  • Layer masks to hide part of another photo brought into your design. You could use solid selections improved via refine edge, as well as the gradient technique to 'fade' in the photo.

If you are not sure of an event that is near, I can find one for you. If you need details, we can contact a teacher for them.

January 15, 2014

1st and 2nd period - Brushes, text, clipping mask project

You will utilize everything you have learned so far to create a simple design that illustrates a multi-step process of your choice. To do so,

• Create a new document that is 8.5 by 11 inches, 300 ppi, rgb color
• Drag out guides to 1/4 of an inch all around your page
• Create steps for your process that are contained within at least some shapes created using vector masks, though you may also include shapes or partial shapes you've drawn using brushes.
• You must include at least four steps in your process.
• Guide the reader across your process using lines and arrows created with brushes and shapes. You might look at increasing the spacing of your brushes to create dotted lines. Remember, though, that 'dotted' lines don't necessarily have to be made up of circles.
• Dress up at least some elements of the page using layer styles. It could be as simple as drop shadows or glows, or involve multiple styles on a single object.
• Use at least one instance where you have turned the 'fill' to 0% and thus only have the layer style of an object showing
• Pay attention to spelling and grammar throughout your process
• Consider using a background color other than white, as well as a monochromatic color scheme. This is not a requirement, however, but it sure do look purdy.

January 8, 2014

Quick Selection Practice

• Download the picture of Elijah at the bottom of the page, and then open him in photoshop.
• Create a new, blank document that is 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels tall.
• Select all of Elijah, copy him, and then paste him into the blank document.

December 19, 2013

Semester Review for Photoshop

For the test, you will need to be sure you know how to use the following:

• The brush and character panels to modify text and brushes
• Adding Layer Styles to content of any type in photoshop
• Selecting new brushes and adding brush libraries.
• Using vector shapes

November 21-22, 2013

Brushes Practice (2 parts; be sure to read!)

The following assignment essentially has two parts. Each one will be a daily grade. You will proceed through a guided practice of sorts, and then move on to more of a free-roaming assignment thereafter. If at any time you need help finding an item or menu, consult the image at the bottom of this assignment. Or, you know, you could always consult a classmate.

Part 1: Learning the Brushes Panel.

• Open up Photoshop, and create a document that is 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels tall, 72 ppi, RGB color.
• Select the standard Hard Round brush (the solid circle). If need be, reset your brush libraries to find it.
• Make a new, blank layer. Why? Because we always paint in a new layer.
• Set the size of your brush to about 60 pixels. Doesn't have to be exact, but close.
• Open up the Brush panel, and in the list of options on the left, make sure all options are unchecked. If smoothing is checked, though, that is okay.
• Set your brush color to a bright version of a color of your choosing: red, blue, green, orange... doesn't matter.
• Make sure that 'Brush Tip Shape' is highlighted, and that the following settings are correct:
  • Angle: 0
  • Roundness: 100%
  • Hardness: 100%
  • Spacing: 1%
• Hold the SHIFT key and paint a straight, solid line.
• Increase the spacing to 150%, and then paint another straight line.
• Change the roundness to 60%, and then paint another straight line.
• Change the angle to 45 degrees, and then paint another straight line.
• Return your angle to 0 degrees, but leave the roundness as it is.
• Change the hardness to 50%, and paint a straight line.
  • Remember that you can change hardness on the fly by pressing ALT and the RIGHT mouse button at the same time, and then dragging up and down. Dragging left and right with these held was the way to quickly resize the brush.
• Change the hardness back to 100%.
• At this point, you're going to save a screenshot of your progress.
  • If you haven't already, make a Photoshop folder inside of your DIM folder on your USB or in your documents. You can do this within photoshop, but it might be easier to do it by simply going to your documents via the Start menu.
  • Now, go back into Photoshop. Go to the menus at the top and select File --> Save as.
  • When the Save As... box appears, make your way to your new Photoshop folder and name this file 'Brush Tip Shape'
  • From the 'Format' field beneath where you type the file name, pick 'JPEG.' Not JPEG 2000, but JPEG. Who uses JPEG 2000, anyway? This is 2013.
  • Save the file.
• Press CTRL + ALT + Z a few times until you only have one painted line remaining on the page. If you don't like keyboard shortcuts, go to Edit --> Step Backward instead.
• Click on 'Shape Dynamics.' Not just the check box, but the actual word.
• Make sure all your 'jitter' values on this page are set to 0%, except for size jitter. Set it to 30%, and paint a line.
• Set the size jitter to 100%, then paint another straight line.
  • Notice that the higher the jitter is set, the more variation in size occurs.
• Set the size jitter back to 0%.
• We will talk about the 'control' drop-downs when I return.
• Raise the Angle jitter to 50%, and paint a straight line.
• Set the Angle jitter back to 0%.
• Set the Roundness Jitter to 100%, and paint a straight line.
  • Since your constant roundness was already changed on the Brush Tip Shape menu, it's already been affected. Take note of the fact that these two settings affect one another. The constant roundness is a 'starting point' for the jitter, so to speak. This is kind of like how your specific brush size is a starting point for size jitter.
• Go to File --> Save As again, and save another JPEG titled 'Shape Dynamics.'
• Do some CTRL+ALT+Z's again to remove all but your very first painted line.
• Un-check Shape Dynamics, and then click on 'scattering.'
• Set your count jitter to 0%, count to 1, and Scattering to about 75%. Paint a straight line. Or try to, muahahaha!
• Set your scattering to 300%, and then paint again. Even better!
• Step backward (as in CTRL + ALT + Z) a couple of times to get rid of the scattered lines.
• Set your count to 4, leaving the scattering at 300%.
• Wow.
• Save a JPEG of this step called 'scattering.'
• Do a few m ore CTRL +ALT+ Z's to clean up everything but that very first painted line.
• Un-check Scattering, and then click on the name 'Color Dynamics.'
  • Skip Texture and Dual Brush for now... you can mess around with it after you finish this, and I'll show you more of how it goes down on Monday.
• Set all sliders to 0%
  • Note that the 'purity' slider is at 0% when it is in the middle.
• On your Tools Panel on the left-hand side of the page, set your background color (the swatch behind your color of choice) to another bright color.
• Turn foreground/background jitter up to 100%, and paint a straight line.
  • Notice how your paint includes both of your selected colors, as well as various mixes of the two.
• Turn foreground/background jitter back down to 0%.
• Turn 'hue jitter' to 30%, and paint a straight line.
  • Low hue jitter samples colors that are near your chosen color on the color wheel. When you use colors that are close to one another/touching on the color wheel, this is called an analogous color scheme
    • You need to know 'analogous' (look up or ask for the pronunciation) color scheme from this day forward. Trust me.
  • Turn hue jitter up to 100%, and any color is game.
  • Notice that the lightness/darkness of the colors are the same, as well as the saturation (how bright or dull the color appears).
• Turn hue jitter to 0%, and then saturation jitter to 30%. Paint a straight line.
  • The colors vary in richness, but are all the same color.
• Turn saturation jitter to 0%, and then Brightness jitter to 30%. Paint a straight line.
• Don't worry about the 'purity' slider. You can look it up on google and read about it, but for now it's more of a pain than anything. It can really screw up how your colors actually appear when painting, and then we'll be very confused when trying to put things back to normal.
• Save a jpeg of your screen named 'color dynamics.'
• Lastly, turn on some brightness/hue jitters, size jitters, roundness jitters, etc, and then set your brush's spacing to about 45%. Paint a line.
• Cool!

The Bristle Brushes (the ones whose icons look like actual paint brushes) work with some different settings under 'brush tip shape.' We'll look at those later on.

Now, open up a new document, add a new layer, and paint away for the remainder of the week! Try different brushes, colors, size settings, etc... remember that you should paint on a new layer each time you make any major changes to the brushes or brush settings! paint straight lines, paint free-handed... this is just the beginning! When I get back, though, I need to be able to see that you have actually spent some time experimenting with these brushes. Save anything you do after this assignment as a .PSD file. You need to some sample (or samples) upon my return for a daily grade.