[TobiasMar]

Well, just like my brother, I was messing around with Adobe photoshop (I'm only a begginer) when I came up with this image that is now my sig:
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_sig-Supernova.jpg
Not bad for a begginer, is it? :P I was messing around with the Lens Flare and Difference Clouds filters. (as you can see, the clouds are a mixture of Red, Blue, Gray, and Green)
I am fascinated by the universe/outer space, which inspired me to make this image. Its supposed to look like a nebula with several stars, and the one in the middle is going supernova.

[Mallick]

That's pretty cool.

[Ravenblade]

Its nice Gimli, its looks a little like how petrol looks with all those colours.

Very pretty^^

[Andross]

Text needs improvement. Colors clash too much. As I mentioned in your bro's topic, try my text tutorial (http://www.designrel...ylEyfqHRmJW.php) and use Image>Adjustments>Color Balance to make the colors work better together.

[TobiasMar]

Well Andross, did you read the part that said "I'm only a begginer at photoshop"?

And, I just wanted to text to kinda blend in w/the background but still visible.

[Elliott]

Ugh, filter produced art, you must be a newb.
Once you get into using layers and brushes etc. then your past beginner stage.

[Mycarayne]

Woo! I guess im not a beginner anymore.. lol

Not bad: kinda like something I would've made back when I first got APS. It's what is expected I guess.

Keep up the nice work though :P

[Andross]

Gimli the Great, on Apr 17 2005, 03:25 AM, said:

Well Andross, did you read the part that said "I'm only a begginer at photoshop"?

And, I just wanted to text to kinda blend in w/the background but still visible.

You don't have to be a Photoshop expert to know when colors clash :P
And it's the text's font that needs improvement, but you also have no anti-aliasing on it.
Last of all, please take constructive criticism a bit better next time - if you didn't notice, I was giving you suggestions on how to improve it.

[TobiasMar]

Actually Andross, one of the parts I liked about the image is that the colors were clashing.

EDIT: I just made a banner request for Lyndis2004. Not what I expected, though, but enjoy!
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/lila_sig.jpg

This post has been edited by Gimli the Great: 17 April 2005 - 08:34 PM

[Elliott]

Get some new fonts Gimli.
And those are shocking dimensions for a banner. (effects are pretty though :P )

[Eugine]

I never got the hang of Photoshop, I just don't know what to do. Otherwise this is what beginners always yeild.

[TobiasMar]

Agatio said:

Get some new fonts Gimli.   And those are shocking dimensions for a banner. (effects are pretty though :P )

Well, I did kinda mess up the dimensions, but I think thats OK; itdidn't mess the image up so much at all.

Anyway, do you know about where do download some other new, cool fonts?

If any of you want a banner request, PM/IM me.

[Elliott]

www.dafonts.com
www.wantedfonts.com

2 sites I use when looking for a new font.

If you're interested. BitDust2 is a good pixel font .

[TobiasMar]

Okay, I just made my own avatar! :)
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/tobias_avatar.jpg
How do you like it? :P
Its simaler to my sig, exept for the text.

[Andross]

Not feeling the balloon font, and you're going pretty crazy with those lens flares. Don't overkill 'em.

You should really try and mess with the Color Balance tool and Brightness/Contrast under Image>Adjustments. You may like the colors clashing, but that still doesn't mean you can't try messing with it.

Last of all, try doing this:
Duplicate Layer
Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
Lower Opacity and use blend mode Lighten or Screen. Mess around until you get something like looks nice.

This helps brigthen things up and smooth out the image.

[Neo]

Andross gave you alomst every good tip a beginner can have, at least for using filters. once you have done Filters for some time, you might want to start using brushes, which gives better and more varied effects. just try every option you have in the Filter once, so you know what they do. once you figured that out, and you start a new image, you know what to use and what not.

you can always visit sites like pixel2font for good turorials, I started with tut's too.

[Elliott]

Filters should only be used either when starting an image to get a sweet effect, or at the end to make an image look different. In between should be brushes, layering, shapes etc. etc. etc.

[Illidan]

Agatio, on Apr 17 2005, 04:44 PM, said:

Ugh, filter produced art, you must be a newb.
Once you get into using layers and brushes etc. then your past beginner stage.

Ummm I used to use filter only for my artwork. It's actually not that bad if you know what you're doing. ^^;;

Keep trying Gimli, you'll get there.

[Elliott]

Using just filters is so limited though, when you consider what Photoshop is capable of.

[TobiasMar]

I know, I did notice how many tools there are...maybe theres more than i think...maybe if I start using some of them, I'll improve.

[I'm Always BROKE]

Gimli no offence but Ithink your brother is better hehehe. :P
But I like your art anyway. Geep it up and make your mamma pround! :)

[TobiasMar]

New sig! :)
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_sig_nebula_layers.jpg
This time I used layers, and random lighting effects. Kinda simaler to my other sig, but much brighter, which means you can see the colors more easily, making it more beautiful. I love the way it came out. :P

[I'm Always BROKE]

Ouch it hurted my eyes... Well its kinda good and very simliair to your other one. Ouch... The colors!!! :P

[TobiasMar]

Well, not for me, but if I was on my mom's flatscreen, maybe it will hurt my eyes, but I'll get used to it.

[Eugine]

OK... The only effect I use is the um... magic pen! It's wonderful.

BTW, when did you get Photosshop.

[Andross]

The lens flares are grayed out and muted. It hurts the contrast of the image. Use the Dodge Tool to brighten the centers and make it more natural. And once again, change the font so that it's anti-aliased, looks modern, and is a bit sleeker. Or something. I already gave you my tut on making better text with fancier font, so use it. NEVER (well, almost never) use common MS Word fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Comic Sans, Courier, etc.). It's just not as interesting is all.

Also, try moving the font to the corner at the bottom. It would probably improve it aesthetically.

More tips:
Make a new layer
Hit Ctrl+A to select all
Set foreground color to black (hit D)
Go to Edit>Stroke, 1px solid>OK

BAM! A nice border.

Now go make some new images using Color Balance :P

[Elliott]

Lose the lens flares. One is enough when enhancing a terragen landscape or a photograph, but using them as the basis for is retarted.

[Izar]

The background rocks, it's just the font... It really bites. Try doing swirly fonts! :P

[TobiasMar]

Agatio, on Apr 19 2005, 06:48 PM, said:

Lose the lens flares. One is enough when enhancing a terragen landscape or a photograph, but using them as the basis for is retarted.

The reason why I'm using them multiple times is because the background of the pics is a nebula. And don't you know they have alot of stars in them? Thats what the lens Flares represent.

[Andross]

That in no way suggests "Nebula" to me.

http://www.dwphotosh...shop/nebula.php

ONLY go through step 5. After doing step 5, do the following:
Select your Brush Tool (make sure it's a BRUSH, not a pencil)
Open up your Brush Pallete (it's in the upper right corner)

Change your Brush Tip to a SOFT circle, between 5-10px diameter and change spacing to 230%

Change the Shape Dynamics to this:
-Size Jitter: 100%
-Angle Jitter: 100%
-Roundness Jitter: 100%
-Minimum Roundness: 1%
Others should be left alone.

Change the Scattering to this:
Scatter: 250%
Count Jitter: 100%

Change Other Dynamics to this:
Opacity Jitter: 50%
Flow Jitter: 50%

Start brushing in the cloud on a NEW layer. If needed, adjust the diameter of your brush for some larger stars. Otherwise, NO LENS FLARE!

This one works well too: http://s4.invisionfree.com/Cody7sDesigns/i...hp?showtopic=64

[TobiasMar]

Andross, its supposed to be kinda close-up of some of the stars. And, that IS a Nebula, in some pics I have at home, Nebulas have clouds of gray, red, green, and blue. So thats what I put in the pic.
But, I will definately those tricks soon next time i try to make a Nebula.

[Nobody]

You know nothing about space if you think a nebula looks like that. Change the lighting effect instead of using lens flares to make it look like a nebula.
Although it isn't your sig yet, I'm rating your "new" one a 2/9.

[TobiasMar]

Nobody, you dont know what your saying. I got the Nebula colors from a picture of a nebula in a book. End of story!

And no, you cant make stars with Lighting effects.

(However, one of Andross' links at the top of the page has a pic that resembles a Nebula far better than what I did. I'll try and see if I can do that.)

[Elliott]

Gimli, this argument is long lost for you. It's not a nebula, live with it.
Keep practicing.

[Andross]

Nebulas do not have green, and highly saturated purples, magentas, and pinks. It simply doesn't resemble one. It's not even misty looking, which is why I had suggested some techniques such as distortion fades (not in here, but I told you to look at your bro's topic).

Try something new already. You can't seriously defend yourself on your image when you admit to being a beginner in the first place. Doing new things is the only reason people get better.

[TobiasMar]

Well, with advice from a web page that Andross posted a link to, I created a new sig. For some reason, I dont like it as much as my others, but I think it resembles a Nebula way better than in my other pics.
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_sig-Nebula.jpg
(The font I used was Aharoni, but I forget where I got it o.O)

[Elliott]

Horrible. It looks like you have blurred lens flares over a star bg. The font is nice, but still veyr much out of place. And the dimensions are atrocious, If you are making a banner for your sig keep it below 175 in height and 500 in width.

[TobiasMar]

Err....yeah, it does look slightly weird IMO also, but then again, I'm only a begginer at the "Nebula trick" Andross showed me.

[Mallick]

I don't like it. Too tall, the star background isn't done very well, et cetera. >_>

[Nobody]

So agreed. It's better (barely) than your others. But it's still horrible, especially the font and it's placement.

[TobiasMar]

Well, maybe the blur I did to the nebula is why its weird. Oh well, I'll be better next time :/ *is making a new sig*

EDIT: Sig done.
It is simaler to my previous sig, but WAY better IMO.
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_sig-Nebula2.jpg
(I added in an extra layer to it ^_^)

I also have a new avatar simaler to my sig.
http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_avatar-Nebula2.jpg

EDIT#2: I have a new set...again!
First, lemme introduce my new sig. Using the trick of tracing the Nebula from my Avatar, I made the best sig I made so far IMO. I also used Special text effects to put a glowing cloud around my name http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_sig-NebulaGlow.jpg

And, my avatar, I also put a glowing cloud around my name, and I made the cloud kinda look like part of the Nebula in the pic. http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Tobias_avatar-NebulaGlow.jpg

This post has been edited by Gimli the Great: 23 April 2005 - 09:36 PM

[Andross]

Contrast. Contrast. Contrast. Up it (Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast...) That, and you aren't following the tips I gave you for the BRUSHES, and neither are you getting rid of the tacky lens flare. Get rid of it! Again, font needs anti-aliasing to smooth it up. Last, use a PROPER dimension! 500x100 please.

[Elliott]

Like I keep telling him, he just doesn't listen.
ANyway, if you're going to listen to someone, make it Andross, he knows what he's talking about.

[TobiasMar]

Well, though I think it would look a little wierd being a bit smaller, I will next time. However, to make it seem right, I'll use proportions from my current size to the size Andross suggested, so I guess that would make it 100 x 225 for my next banner. If its too small, I'll do the size Andross suggested.

[Elliott]

???
Just make a new image but this time have a canvas size of 500x100, how difficult is that?

[TobiasMar]

You know, maybe not so difficult at all; I'll just have to get used to making smaller sized banners after that.

[Mallick]

Yes, your banner size now is dreadful, no offense. I actually prefer thinner than that, maybe 470. 0.4 inches makes a difference. ^_^ I also like them at heights like 120.

[TobiasMar]

Well, maybe 100 is too small, so I guess I'll try 100-150 pixels for my height next time

[Andross]

Okay, look at my Fork banner. That's a height of 100. That should be plenty, and if you feel squeezed, go for 125. There should rarely be a need for 150 and never go for 200. It's just not proportionally aesthetic.

[TobiasMar]

Okay, I made a new banner that is also a nebula, but it is not ganna be a sig.

Well, I put the "Shema" in it, which is an important Jewish prayer. I dunno why i did it though o_O

http://members.cox.net/tobiasmar/Shema_Nebula.jpg
The font for the hebrew is "David" and the image dimensions are 444 (length) x 167 (height)

[Elliott]

Wrong dimensions, yet again.
Same method as before, blurry effect with a starry bg.
It's ever so slightly better than your current though.
KEEP PRACTICING.

[TobiasMar]

Well, thanks I guess, Agatio. It isnt much smaller, but its noticeably smaller, isnt it?

[Elliott]

125 MAXIMUM HEIGHT.

And try any one of these widths:

200px, 300px, 400px, 500px.

I have no idea WHERE you pulled 444x167 from =/ .

[TobiasMar]

Well, I thought you said 175 height once, so I did it a little smaller. Apparently, I had the wrong memory. o_O Oh well....

[Elliott]

Then I realise 175px was too big.
When you start your image, make the dimension 125 height, and 400 width.
Trust me, that will improve your signature.

[TobiasMar]

Coming to think of it, I believe you have just convinced me. I'll use that advice in the future. =) (i'm planning on making my first non-space image real soon)

[Excalibur's Power]

Non space image. USE BRUSHES! XDXD

ANYWAYS, the size I use is 500x100, that fits perfectly.

Anyways, Gimli, you should put a border on your sig pics.

[Elliott]

A 1 pixel black border can be a huge improvement.

[TobiasMar]

Err, sorry about the delay for the first non-space pic; its not even done yet, I suddenly got crammed up in HW >.<

(Oh yeah, does anyone know where I can download and install some more Adobe Photoshop 7 Styles/Effects? I need a text effect that makes the surrounding area look caved in so its like a crater.)

[Andross]

It's not always about the text effects. You should go to deviantART.com, find their resources page, and look in Photoshop brushes. Install them by finding your Brushes folder in your APS install. (There should be a bunch of .abr files in there).

And if you want something that looks caved in, you'll have to mess with using your Glow or Stroke style in combination with Inner Shadow.

[Elliott]

One of the bevel emboss options can make the text seem as if it is being pushed back, thats all I know though, like Andross said, try dA for some good resources.

[Excalibur's Power]

You might wanna be careful about bevel and emboss, it turned half of my text silver...*points down at his sig*

>>

<<

[Elliott]

That's because you used bad settings and your text size was too small.

[TobiasMar]

I apoligize, but I guess I'll stop making art. I am terribly sorry about this.

Okay, so I decided my next banner was not ganna be space-like, then I don't know what I'll make it like; My creativity is very limited, which is partially due to a brain disorder I have called "aspergers syndrome." And because of this, I don't know what to make the "theme" of my next image about, so I just give up. ;)
Another reason is because since people just rate my banners badly, this is caused me to think that they don't like my banners because it was me who made them, making me feel negative about myself. I'm not mentioning any names, but I hope you know who you are and that part of the reason why I'm quitting is your fault. (No offence intended) And plus, I'm only a begginger at photoshop, even when I know what layers are, so please, don't compare me to you so much and critisize me so much ;)

[Andross]

Gimli: Read our suggestions and step-by-step techniques. I know I gave plenty of critique on HOW you could improve: Anti-alias your text, links to tutorials, brush resources, etc.

You're gonna get bad critiques on your work no matter what, and especially so as a beginner. But what you do with it determines how you "show that person up." I gave you plenty of suggestions, IMO; now use it to prove you DO have some artistry.

[Elliott]

I've been using photoshop around 6 months and still very very harsh critique, just practice, and listen to what people say.

[Betrayer]

Gimli the Great, on May 9 2005, 05:54 PM, said:

I apoligize, but I guess I'll stop making art. I am terribly sorry about this.

Okay, so I decided my next banner was not ganna be space-like, then I don't know what I'll make it like; My creativity is very limited, which is partially due to a brain disorder I have called "aspergers syndrome." And because of this, I don't know what to make the "theme" of my next image about, so I just give up. ^_^
Another reason is because since people just rate my banners badly, this is caused me to think that they don't like my banners because it was me who made them, making me feel negative about myself. I'm not mentioning any names, but I hope you know who you are and that part of the reason why I'm quitting is your fault. (No offence intended) And plus, I'm only a begginger at photoshop, even when I know what layers are, so please, don't compare me to you so much and critisize me so much :)

Dude. "Even when I know what layers are"? >_> A photoshop n00b would know that. And people aren't giving your art bad ratings because the stuff's by you. It's because your repetitive theming of space. It's completely boring. No offense, but, really. C'mon. Don't give up because of your constant use of space themes.

[Wiflewood]

Don't quit now Gimli, your work will improve with people's critique, and I'm sure its not because its by you.
As for themes, how about Volcanos? Fire? Ice?