Posted on 2005-12-12 22:45
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玩转渐变色
玩转渐变色：介绍
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posted on 01 May 2003, 23:20; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
渐变色编辑器.
今天我想开始教授一系列关于渐变色的教程. 大概有 8-10 个教程.
自从Since version 5 Photoshop offers 5 different variants of gradients: 线性linear, 径向行radial, 角度angle, reflected and diamond. Really surprising things could be created using them in combination with layer overlaying modes and different filters.
Some words about gradients themselves. As is well known, in gradient properties palette a number of parameters can be changed: overlay mode, transparency and filling type. And though the first two could be adjusted through layer palette, the selection of gradient type is truly useful thing. Of 15 standard ones I usually use 3: from foreground color to background one, from foreground to transparent and transparent rainbow. Sometimes flight of fancy stumbles over missing of desirable type, and then I have to create it manually. It isn't complicated: it is sufficient to click on "Change" button in gradient properties panel to get dialog box "Gradient editor" appeared on the screen, where the changes will take place.
In the opened window list of all available gradients catches eye. If your "new one" will resemble one of them then it is reasonable to select the sample with mouse and press "Duplicate" button - you'll save time. If not then choose "Create" button. Add to the list the gradient just created which you'll have to edit to get it into shape. You can proceed with editing in two modes: changing color or transparency.
In order to introduce a new color in the gradient it is sufficient to click on the bottom border of the altering gradient - a new marker will then appear.
The marker you are working with is discriminated with black "hat" (the second one from the left on the screenshot). Markers can be added, moved, removed or you can change their color.
Trere are different ways to choose the color: by clicking on colored rectangle and opening the palette of all existing colors, by passing the cursor turned into dropper over the changing gradient, by double-clicking on the marker itself or by choosing one of two colors from tool panel.
The color of the selected marker is also shown under the scale - the first of three pictures. It's easy to guess that the other 2 symbolize foreground (F) and background (B) colors. So if you want to get adjustable gradient, specify background and foreground colors instead of absolute colors. Switching is as easy as pie: simply choose a marker, after that click on F or B.
Marker position realtive to scale length percentage could be traced and edited in window named "Position".
Besides colors themselves you can change transition intensity between them. Small transparent rhombs are in charge of it, selected rhomb becomes black and its location also could be seen and changed in window "Position". Well, or move them manually.
To remove useless marker you are to select it and press Del or drag it down with mouse.
In transparency changing mode editor's window almost doesn't change, but instead of color choose window appears window in which you can specify transparency percentage. What you get could be seen in the very bottom of the window. E.g. I have shown gradient brought to 30% of center transparency. The gradient created could be saved to individual file (button "Save"), to load and use it again later (button "Load"). But if what you've done doesn't take your fancy, you can always delete the gradient (button "Delete") or quit the editor without saving the changes (button "Cancel"). Oh, if you're quite satisfied then don't forget to press Ok before exit! Otherwise all will be lost.
Maybe the article turns out excessively detailed, and many obvious details could be omitted, but I still haven't encounter in the net any intelligible description of gradient editor. And, as is well known, nature doesn't bear emptiness! |
Playing with gradient: the simplest figures
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posted on 08 May 2003, 00:17; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
The subject of the first tutorial from "Playing with gradient" series - simplest figures obtained with transformation. So, what can we get by transforming a gradient?
To begin with lets try to cteate a post of light. Begin work with vertical mirror gradient, dispose it exactly in the middle of the canvas.
And apply Polar Coordinates filter to it (Filter > Distortion > Polar Coordinates), mode - from grid to polar coordinates. You'll get a cone like this.
If apply the filter not to vertical gradient but to the horizontal one, you can create nice pseudo-three-dimensional ringlet, which is called torus in geometry.
And now discuss transforming without filters participation - lets try to create a drop. First we have to draw radial gradient.
Divide it exactly in half vertically and delete the left half.
Now transform semicircle to semidrop: Edit > Transform > Distort and bring transform frame roughly to the form shown in this picture.
Duplicate the layer, flip the copy horizontally (Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal) and align it with the original. Glue layers, paint (Image > Adjust > Hue/saturation).
But if to transform the semicircle in slightly different way...
... you can get this kind of heart.
Here it is, the very heart from one of the pictures from my site www.photowind.narod.ru.
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Playing with gradient: the moon
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posted on 13 May 2003, 22:47; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
So, it is very simple: create a new document, draw in it everything you want. E.g. for all my works I use starry sky as a background.
Then create a new layer and set screen type of overlay for it. It is done in order to make black color transparent. Draw a rhomb in this new layer using diamond gradient (you need to drag the gradient from the center of the canvas down straight to the edge, i.e. with Shift pressed).
It's time to reveal magic abilities of Photoshop: with one mouse movement transform rhomb to moon! Here you should move mouse in the following direction: Filter > Distort > Polar coordinates. Select "grid to polar" mode, it must be default.
Lets shape it up now: rotate the image 90 degree clockwise or counter-clockwise (Edit > Transform > Rotate 90 and paint it through Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation.
And everything that seems to be unnecessary you can always clean with eraser. But it's better to take bigger and softer brush - I worked with brush #65.
Well, who needs really realistic moon - don't forget to paint stars over in area between horns: there is solid but dark moon there. I haven't done this because I like it anyway.
Like the lesson - visit my site! You can find there many interesting things too. |
Playing with gradient: peach segment
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posted on 28 May 2003, 20:38; level: Beginner; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
So, create a new layer, assign screen type to it, choose diamond gradient. Everything is as before. But for this lesson we need square instead of rhomb, that's why we drag the gradient not down but in the corner from the center. To get it more regular, hold button Shift down simultaneously with the gradient.
Then will be Filter > Distort > Polar coordinates, mode "from grid to polar". You must have such semi-transparent segment of a fruit. Let it be peach.
Paint it through Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation, giving it soft yellow-red color.
Now we need to add a pit: create a new layer with screen mode, fill it with black. Choose soft brush of size that it blend with its destined hole, and put a dot.
But as peach pits usually look different (remember: they are shaggy), apply to the layer with the pit filter Filter > Texture > Corrosion. And change its color (Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation).
For greater realisticness you can emphasize crescent at the bottom of the segment, where preaches have downy outward surface, and add some noise (Filter > Noise > Add noise) of about 10.
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Playing with gradient: the veil
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posted on 10 Jun 2003, 00:17; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
Usual beginning: create new document, draw a background in it. I use starry sky as the background in all my works.
Then create a new layer and set screen overlay type to it. It is done in order to make black transparent. Draw a rhomb using diamond gradient in this new layer (you should drag the gradient from the center of the canvas straight down to edge, i.e. with Shift pressed).
After that we apply to our rhomb whirling filter: Filter > Distort > Whirlwind. Degree of torsion choose at your wish, I've got 400 here.
And now the main part - Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates. Mode - from polar to grid.
It remained only to add chroma (Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation), and you can already use it!
Here's how the effect looks in one of my pictures. Wanna see the others - visit my site www.photowind.narod.ru! There are about 100 of such pictures already there.
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Playing with gradient: the Galaxy
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posted on 19 Jun 2003, 22:16; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
In order to draw a galaxy lets begin with diamond gradient again, with its corner down (set the cursor in the center of the canvas and while holding Shift drag the stretching upright down).
Now apply to our gradient a filter from Filter > Distort > Glass with the following settings: texture is Thin lens, Distortion 5, softness 3, scale 100%.
Then Filter > Distort > Whirl, angle 260.
Paint our galaxy in the Hue/Saturation dialog from menu Image > Adjust, in the pop-up window set checkmark in Coloration and move sliders in the scales, changing Hue and Saturation.
That was a galaxy, top view. But you can easily obtain a sideview one by transforming the previous picture with Scale and Rotation from menu Edit > Transform.
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Playing with Gradient: Candle flame
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posted on 11 Jul 2003, 23:06; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
Have you ever read the introduction to "Playing with Gradient" series? It was described there in detail, how to create your own gradient. It's high time to recall it, or even re-read, because I'm going to tell you now, how to draw candle flame, and you'll need an irregular gradient to do it. Just like this:
The scheme of work is as following: we trace a lozenge with our new gradient by stretching the guyline down from the centre of canvas while holding Shift key pressed.
Now we use Edit > Transform > Perspective and drag the upper right transformation frame marker to the left so that the two upper markers switch places, and the rectangular transformation area changes into two traingles connected via apexes.
Then we separate the upper half of the double flame we've done and since now work with this half only. Of course, after painting it, we may leave it OK, as it already does look like fire; but I still suggest the patient ones to move further, towards more realistic image.
Let's apply the Wave filter from the Distort menu to the flame. In the dialog window that opens we leave all the settings unchanged except Vertical Scale, that we set to 1% and begin to click on Randomize button, observing the variants proposed, unless we get the one, that would satisfy us. Now our flame bickers with wind.
Does it bicker too slightly? Then why not to add some ripple? Filter > Distort > Ocean Ripple (Size 15, Magnitude 5). Here you are!
So we get the candle flame together with the candle itself and the scenery. It's just one of more than hundred images from my www.photowind.narod.ru site.
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An arch
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posted on 06 Aug 2003, 01:13; level: Beginner; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
To draw an arch we will need first a new layer with screen overlay mode. Let's take white as front color, and black as background color. Then choose the reflected gradient, place the pointer to divide the canvas horizontally, and pull it a bit aside while holding Shift key pressed. As a result must appear a vertical strip, not very wide.
Let's further convert it into an arch. To do that we go to Filters > Distort > Polar Coordinates, and set mode from polar to semi-polar. Now we get a symmetrical double arch!
Let's make it a bit more realistic: Filters > Texture > Corrosion and settings as follows: distance 18, depth 6, luminosity 5.
And if we create a horisontal pattern first instead of vertical one...
... then after applying Polar Coordinates we will get a triple arch ...
... which can also be texturized.
You can see this technique applied on this picture from my site www.photowind.narod.ru
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The Elf-Flower
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posted on 12 Sep 2003, 01:57; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
You'll get a daisy pic. And the scheme of work is not going to be difficult even for a toddler. Are you ready? Let's go...
So, first we draw on a new layer a lozenge like that (for it to be aligned certainly to the axis, press Shift when pulling gradient from the canvas center down. Copy the layer and hide it for a while.
Then go to Edit > Transform > Perspective and pull the upper markers to one point. You should get something like the right image.
Copy this layer 7 times and, while rotating it, connect the leaflets into a "flower of the winds" like that (the simpliest way to connect them is to copy the first one, rotate it onto 180, move it closer, merge; copy again, rotate onto 90, align to center, merge; copy once more and rotate on 45). Merge all the 8 layers and switch their visibility.
P.S. If you need the flower of the winds - lessen the size of the inclined cross twice before the last merging. If you need the Kalachakra wheel - just draw a beautiful rim, you already have the spokes.
So return to the second layer containing the lozenge, that is still untouched, and rotate it on 45 degrees. (Edit > Transform > Rotate, holding Shift pressed, for 3 times). You should get a
Transform it again with Perspective, though now transpose the upper markers (just pull the upper left marker to the upper right corner of the canvas).
The final image we copy and rotate on 90 degrees, then align and link the two layers. We should get something like the Maltian cross.
P.S. If you need the Maltian cross - here it is.
And here comes the moment of our diligent work - we make both layers visible and align them to the center. It's already beautiful, isn't it?
Afterwards you can do with the flower-star-snowflake anything you'd like to.
An advantage of this method is the possibility of drawing an enormous quantity of completely different ornaments - it's enougn just to make some experiments with Perspective on various geometrical figures. The leaflets would be inimitable, and they can be connected in the most original ways. By the way, a piece of advice: the flower itself can be distorted with padonki.orgPerspective again...
Other my works are at www.photowind.narod.ru, come to look at.
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Basilica floor
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posted on 24 Sep 2003, 00:34; level: Beginner; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
So, what do basilica floor and paving have in common? They are compound of planches. That's what we'll try to get here - an imitation of these planches.
Step one - draw a simple lozenge-like gradient. Today it's no matter how will the object be directed, you can do it even with a radial gradient.
Step 2 - Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates, mode Polar to Rectangular.
Step 3, crucial - let's add the the bricks that the floor consists of. Filter > Texture > Texturizer. Select from the pull-down list the Brick texture, Scaling 100%, Relief 4, Light Direction - top left. You shlould get something like this:
Step 4, final - again Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates, just apply another mode - Rectangular to Polar
That's all the thing! Now the floor is inlayed with tidy planches.
By the way, that's how a result of one of my works looks. Do you want to see others? Visit my site www.photowind.narod.ru!
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Polar lights
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posted on 07 Oct 2003, 01:09; level: Beginner; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
Today I'll tell you how to draw polar lights quickly and simply. Are you ready? OK, let's start. Draw in a new-created document a vertical line using linear gradient tool of Transparent Rainbow type (the gradient extension is moved horysontally this time).
Apply to our future polar lights Filter > Distort > Wave.
Then do Filter > Stylize > Wind, mode Stagger, direction From the left. The color transitions are now too sharp, it must be improved.
Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, angle 0, distance 10. It's much better now, isn't it?
And the last thing to do: rotate the image 90 degrees clockwise (Edit > Transform > Rotate 90 CW). The bar in the bottom of the canvas, that appeared now, should be selected and deleted.
The Polar Lights are on!
You can make a color adjustment for it, change brightness and contrast - but this is optional.
The "Polar lights" is just a picture from more than a hundred, that are on my web-site www.photowind.narod.ru.
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Triangular gradient
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posted on 19 Oct 2003, 15:42; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
I've never felt a critical lack of a triangular gradient, but the very fact that it doen't exist is no good! There is a linear one, a reflected one, even a diamond one - but no triangular. That's bad. I'll try to redress the injustice.
Let's do the following: draw a diamond gradient in a new layer - a square (while holding Shift key pressed). Do you see the streaks that go from the center to the corners? We'll try to make the same in our triangle.
Some theory: as we know from the college course of geometry, in a square the angles, that occure as results of bisecrixes' intersections (they make the bright streaks in the gradient), are equal to 90 angle degrees each. And in an equilateral triangle the same angles have 120 angle degrees. That is, principally the task of modifying a square gradient to a triangular one mena sto decrease the quantity of corners, and, consequently, of bisectrixes that they make, up to the number of three and simultaneously making the corner between the bisecrixes 120 angle degrees. Let's try to do it.
So, create a square selection (while holding Shift key again), it's size should be like the example square, and rotate it at 45 angle degrees by Select > Modify the selection, still holding Shift rotate it 3 times. The selection should turn from square into lozenge. Then align it's upper corner with the middle of the gradient and create a new layer. (Layer > New > Copy, or Ctrl+J).
After these operations you'll get a neatly cut sector. The neatness and accuracy of the cut is what all the result of future work depends on, so do your best!
Then Edit > Transform > Number; set in "scale" - "width" as 170% and "height" as 100%. Make sure that "constrain proportions" is switched off and all the other parameters are null.
Lessen a bit the size of the triangle we get, make 2 copies of the layer that contains it, and rotate the first copy at 120 angle degree, and the second one - at 240 through the same dialog window Number (Edit > Transform > Number). Align the layers to make a single equilateral triangle and megre them.
Here you are, our triangular gradient!
It seems to me, that a similiar shape was called somewhat like "Dragon Eye"... OK, I may be mistaken.
What does it fit for? For everything, that you can do with the square one. If you've read the previous lessons - I think that you'll make a good use of it. I'd just add that you'd better save the new gradient as a brush, for making it possilpe to be used afterwards. In order to do this you'll have to render it into the following colours: black foreground on white background.
And if you want more variations, you can try to make five- six- and more polygonal gradients. It's not difficult at all.
By the way, if you draw an elf-flower using the triangular gradient instead of square one, you can get something like the following (the picture is from my web-site www.photowind.narod.ru, and there are more than a hundred other similiar works).
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A fluffy branch
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posted on 14 Nov 2003, 01:49; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
So, step 1: draw a white lozenge on a new layer using the diamond gradient.
Apply to it Filter > Distort > Twirl, specify 400, the direction of twirling is not important at all.
The next filter is Filter > Distort > Polar coordinates. Mode - polar to rectangular. You should get a wave, such as presented on a picture below. The same one we've alreasy drawn in the lesson "Shadowy voile", maybe someone remembers.
Now we begin something more interesting: make the canvas size twice as wide (Image > Canvas size, place the anchor left or right), copy the layer and precisely move it sideward. Do you see the place of juncture between them? Neither do I! There's no one! You can make as long a bar as you'd like to, enjoying the process itself.
You can also save the file at the previous step (better save it as a .gif, then it would take less room at the same quality) and use as a border for a web-page. Appreciate it: no more need to worry about eliminating the junction line! The intelligent filter has done it for you!
Humm, our image looks a bit peculiar from the top. A continious white line... We should make use of it! Make the canves twice as high (Image > Canvas size, place the anchor to the top), afterwards merge the 2 layers containing the branch, copy the merged layer and rotate this copy vertically (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical). And again move the layer copy precisely upwards so, that tha junction line not to be visible.
Well, that's not bad! I don't know how to call it, but it's not bad at all!
Now let's roll our feather into a ring (Filter > Distort > Polar coordinates, rectangular to polar. What did we get? A handsome whirl, seen from above. It looks absolutely professionally, doesn't it?
And ultimately - colorize it (Image > Adjustment > Hue/Saturation.
Now you decide yourselves, what to do with it. I'd advise to read something about other playing with gradient, maybe, you'll get some good idea.
By the way, here's one of my gallery - a Shyuriken. Visit my place, there's a lot of pictures like that!
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Wave
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posted on 03 Jan 2004, 21:38; level: Intermediate; tool: Photoshop 5.5; |
Begin as always - create a white lozenge with diamond gradient on a black screen layer.
Now it would be a bit more interesting: Filter > Distort > Glass. In the settings window you can set anything you'd like to, just use the "Tiny Lens" texture; though, "Canvas" or "Frosty" would make also OK.
The next step towards a wave is Filter > Distort > Twirl. I've set 350 here.
Let's apply to our image the polar distortion from Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates, with the mode, as you've must already have guessed, polar to rectangular.
Now it already somewhat resembles the sea wave, doesn't it?
To make the emerging resemblance perfect, let's rotate the image upside down (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertically) and, using the window Hue/Saturation from the menu Image > Adjust, paint the wave blue.
And here it goes, a picture from my gallery - "Tsunami" Do you like it? Visit my web-site www.photowind.narod.ru, you'll find a lot of others!
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