Advanced Photoshop 2006.03 - Issue 20

SWteopr-bkys-shteopp CREATE SPACE! Begun these Clone Tool wars have. Discover how to make stars, worlds and more without ever having to leave Photoshop BY ROSS ANDREWS56 Advanced Photoshop

TechniquesPART ONE: STARS AND PLANETS OUR EXPERT Ross Andrews 6 Cloudy sky With the Bigger Stars and background As group art editor Ross works on a range of creative titles layers visible, and the Bigger Stars layer active, click here at Imagine Publishing, and he’s also a Photoshop Add Layer Mask. Click on the Layer Mask supremo who can point your pixels in the right direction thumbnail that appears and with black and white when it comes to inventive image creation. as the foreground and background, choose Filter>Render>Clouds. This will produce a maskT his was possibly the most fun we’ve had in Photoshop for years. Not because we’ve been that hides some of your stars. getting bored of Adobe’s master app, you understand, but just because creating convincing cosmic artwork is something the Advanced Photoshop team has been dying toget its teeth into for ages. Inspired by the work of Greg Martin (www.artofgregmartin.com), we’re looking at bringing stellarbeauty straight to your screen without having to resort to 3D applications to render worlds or starfields. The plan was to make use of Photoshop’s filters, shortcuts and tricks wherever possible. For themost part the techniques in this tutorial are not only deceptively simple, they are also flexible. Onceyou’ve followed the individual parts and understand how they work, try to revisit steps and experiment– after all, you’re trying to create, not re-create worlds, and with these techniques anyone can play god. But creating worlds takes a long time, and many of the results shown here get better the more youplay with them. With that in mind we’ve split the tutorial up into two – this issue concentrates on theplanets and star field, and next issue we’ll reveal how to create the fiery nebula.1 Creating space 4 It’s all white 7 Detail by hand Your first step is to create a star field for the Invert the Bigger Stars layer by choosing The Clouds mask leaves a pattern. Disruptbackground. Unsurprisingly, this will start as a Image>Adjustments>Invert. This will make it this by choosing a large, soft black brush, set to asolid black document. Make the canvas larger white with black dots; enhance this effect by 30% Opacity, and remove more of the stars bythan you need, and at a higher resolution – this Choosing Image>Adjustments>Levels and typing painting black areas onto the Layer Mask. Repeatallows you greater detail in the next few steps. 230, 1.00, 250 into the three Input levels boxes. Hit the process on the Tiny Stars layer, but beginCreate a new layer called ‘Tiny Stars’ and fill it with OK and then invert the layer again to revert it painting directly onto the layer mask. Build upblack as well. back to white dots on a black background. interesting star clusters and shapes.2 Get noisy 5 Gonna be a big star The masked 8 Stargazing Go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Tick the Choose Edit>Free Transform and scale the hero of Switch to the Biggest Stars layer and repeatGaussian and Monochromatic settings and select Bigger Stars layer back to around the same size as space the cloudless layer mask technique, but this timea setting of around 10%. The effect will be subtle the canvas. Hold the cursor outside the add fewer but very bright stars in small tightso punch it up a little, and add variety to the transformation box and click and drag to rotate This tutorial makes clusters. The trick is to imagine you’re adding inpoint size by using Image>Adjustments> the layer by 180 degrees. Set the layer mode to heavy use of layer the constellations, star by star. The final result is theBrightness/Contrast to decrease the Brightness to Screen. Duplicate this layer and rename it Biggest masks, and you basis of your star field, so commit to it by-40 but boost the Contrast by 75. Stars, set the layer mode to Screen and use Free may be wondering flattening the image. Transform to rotate it 30 degrees and scale it up why they’re used3 Twinkle little star to about 150%. when the Eraser Duplicate the Tiny Stars layer and rename it Tool might very‘Bigger Stars’. Repeat the Brightness/Contrast well do. The answercommand but take the Brightness down to -100. is that layer masksBoost the Contrast by about 60. This will bring allow far more flexibility. Should out stronger, but fewer, you change you points of light. Use the mind about Scale Tool to increase the something you’ve size of the layer to deleted you can go between two and three back to the mask times bigger than the and use a white document canvas size. brush to paint the element back in. You can also use filters on them for creative results (see step six). 57 Advanced Photoshop

WSteopr-bkys-shteoppMake more planets 11 Punch it up 13 That’s no moon Finally, to give your star field even Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool andOnce you have the general planet layer structure built up you more punch, flatten all the layers and then hold down the Shift key to create a circularcan easily experiment with more textures by preparing them in duplicate the background. Set the copy’s layer selection. Copy this to a new layer. With the circularthe same way you did in steps 12 and 13 and then dragging the mode to Linear Dodge and adjust the Opacity to selection active go to Filter>Distort>texture into the layer stack. You can even combine layers from taste. You may also want to give the blacks a little Spherize. Use a setting of 100%, and then repeatmore than one texture for interesting effects. more depth by using Image>Adjustments>Levels for good measure! Use Image>Image Size to resize and pulling the black arrow to the right a little. your image back to its original dimensions.9 Attack of the clone Add some texture by switching to a large,soft Clone Tool, set to Screen mode and clone inmore stars. Try and build up interesting, dustysprays of stars. To add an ethereal glow, duplicateyour layer, and set the copy to Linear Dodge.Choose Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and run it atabout ten pixels. Colour your glow layer usingImage>Adjustments>Color Balance. 12 Genesis 14 Stratus quo The world was created in seven steps – Fill the background layer with black, maybe more if we get carried away. Find yourself and then create three layers above your texture. a stony texture (Mayang’s free textures at www. Apple+click (Mac users) or Ctrl+click (PC users) mayang.com/textures is a great free resource to the texture layer in the Layer palette to load it as a take a look at), open in a new document and selection and then use that selection to create a resize it to a planet size. Convert the background dark blue disc on the first blank layer with two into a layer, and double your canvas size. Using a black discs above it. Name them ‘Colour’, large, soft clone brush, click with the brush ‘Shading’ and the top one ‘Atmosphere’. instead of the usual brush strokes.10 Tiny flares 15 Let there be light Create a new layer and fill it with black. Choose Now you’re ready to bring your planetFilter>Render>Lens Flare and apply a 50% 105mm Prime flare. Set your to life. Select the Atmosphere layer and chooseflare layer’s mode to Screen and then use the Free Transform Tool to scale Layer>Layer Style>Inner Shadow. Set the modethe flare down. Use the Eraser Tool to edit out any of the starburst effects if to Screen, the colour to a light cyan and thethey bug you. Duplicate this starburst a few times over the image, each Global Light angle to -10. Drag the Distance andtime scaling it and adjusting its opacity so it doesn’t appear too uniform. Size sliders right up – depending on the size of your image – but don’t hit OK just yet… YGWTT“MHHEOITAEETUHNRMBPYTEELOHATSOREYTUFEMELTR”S58 Advanced Photoshop

Techniques16 World a-glow 19 Forest moon Noisy YSBS“SLBWOERTTCOOARERIEUNKLUAE’RRGLITEINEIGANYNGHRG”TATTO Add an Outer Glow using the same Set the layer mode of the Texture layer zoomingcyan and a Screen blending mode. Drag the Size to Screen and your planet will really start to comeslider up to create a halo, then add an Inner Glow, to life. You may want to decrease the saturation If you apply theagain to a cyan screen. Increase the size of the using Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation to Add Noise filter inglow. Hit OK and create a new layer below the bring some of the blue colour back. Reduce the step two and itAtmosphere. Switch back to the Atmosphere opacity of this layer to 33% and then duplicate it seems to producelayer and use Layer>Merge Down. twice (set both of these copies to Screen as well). no result outside of the filter’s preview, try changing the zoom level on the document outside the Add Noise dialog. At some zoom levels the noise interferes with the display pixels and disappears – change the magnification and it pops right back.17 Eclipse 20 Terra-former 22 Cloud cover Switch to the Shading layer and move Use the Free Transform Tool to rotate Rename this layer ‘Clouds’ and theit above the Atmosphere layer. Drag the disc up each of these duplicate layers; the amount will original texture layer ‘Land’. Decrease the Opacityand to the right so that it masks the top-right depend on your texture, keep experimenting to of your Shading layer to 95 so that more of thethird of the atmosphere glow. Go to Filter>Blur> find details you like the look of. When you’re textures show through. Duplicate the Land layerGaussian Blur and apply a 95-pixel blur to the happy, merge the layers back together; keeping and apply Filter>Stylize>Emboss with a Angle ofcircle. With the shading layer active, load the the result applied as Screen. You may then want -15, Height of 1 and the Amount right up to 500%.texture shape selection again (as in step 14), to boost the contrast of the texture using Levels Duplicate this embossed layer and call one ‘Landchoose Select>Inverse and then hit Delete to or Brightness/Contrast. Highlights’ and the other ‘Land Shadow’.remove the surplus parts of the shading shape.18 Mask the atmosphere 21 Weather man 23 Leveller of worlds Add a layer mask to the Atmosphere Duplicate your texture layer again and With the Land Highlights layer active, open Levels. Type 145,layer and use a soft black brush at a low opacity set it to Screen. Select Image>Adjustments> 1.00 and 210 into the Input Levels fields and hit OK. Switch to the Landto gently remove most of the remaining glow on Levels and pull both the black and white triangles Shadow layer and do the same, but using the numbers 87, 1.00 and 116.the top-right side of the planet. When you’re toward the centre (in this case the Input Levels Set the Highlights layer to Linear Dodge at 50% Opacity and the Shadowdone, Control- (Mac) or right- (PC) click the Layer were 57, 0.91, 150; this will create a hard clouds layer to Multiply at 70%. Boost the brightness of the Clouds layer slightly.Mask thumbnail and choose Apply Layer Mask. effect). Use the Free Transform Tool again toDrag the Texture layer above the Colour layer. rotate this layer until it gives the best effect. 59 Advanced Photoshop

SWteopr-bkys-shteopp L“TDLEOIOEKXOTEFPKAIETINLORHDSFIEM”YEONUT Perfect circles 27 Get perspective Using the Move Tool, drag the planet When you’re creating your circular selection in step 24 there’s a onto the star field document; move it into trick to getting it just right. Instead of selecting from the top- position and scale it if necessary. Drag the rings right corner and dragging down, use the twirl shape to help into the document as well and switch to the Free you select. Look at the spiral and you’ll easily be able to spot Transform Tool. Hold down the Option key (Mac) the centre. Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool and position your or Alt key (PC) and you can apply extreme cursor at that point. Hold down Shift and Option and drag distortions to each corner handle in turn. Here outwards (PC users select Alt+drag here), and the selection will we’ve flipped it over, pushed the top corners in grow from the centre. and down and pulled the bottom corner out and down to give some extreme perspective.24 Spin the ring No real planet is complete without rings, so make some. Create a new document, slightly bigger than your planet, and fill it with black. Create a new layer, and with black and white as your colours choose Filter>Render> Clouds. Open Filter>Distort>Twirl and apply it 999 degrees to give a spinning effect. 29 Finish it off Colourise your rings using Hue/ Saturation and then duplicate the layer. Set both ring layers to Screen. Make the lower copy active and head to Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur to apply a reasonably strong blur and give the rings a soft glow. And that’s it; your image is done for now. Next issue we show how to build the nebula and add final colouring to the planet to make it red. 525 Ring of fire 28 Mask the rings Add a Layer mask to the layer and Add a layer mask to the rings layer andmake a circular selection. With the Layer mask load the planet selection into it. Fill this with black.active choose Select>Inverse and fill the outer Draw a marquee around the areas of the ringsarea with black. Make a smaller circular selection that should be visible and fill it with white to bringinside the twirl and fill it with black as well. Apply them back. Click the chain symbols between thethe layer mask from the contextual menu. layer mask and layer thumbnails. This will allow you to reposition your rings later on.26 Noisy ring Tip top Next month: the nebula To give the rings some grain go to twirlingFilter>Noise>Add Noise and apply a 20% Gaussian Be sure to check back with us next issue as we reveal how to create a swirling, whirlingMonochromatic setting. Finally you can delete the If your twirl in step nebula to finish off the celestial sky. We’ll explore more of the effects of the Cloud filter andbackground black layer. You’re now ready to 24 doesn’t seem different blending modes. Next issue goes on sale 17 August.combine your images together so open up your quite, erm, ‘twirly’planet file and the background star field you enough, just repeatmade earlier. the filter until you get the result you are looking for. Many filters can benefit from repeat runnings, such as the Spherize filter you used earlier and the Difference Clouds filter you’ll be using to make the nebula.60 Advanced Photoshop

IInnsfidoer INISNIFDOERDecent ExposureTo complement the new high dynamic range capabilities in Photoshop CS2, Adobe has added theExposure command, which allows you to better visualise your 32 bit-per-channel photos on screenS imply stated, the term ‘dynamic range’ refers to the range of brightness values from the darkest black above featureless black, to the brightest white below featureless white. In the visible world, this range far exceedsthe limits of human vision, but our eyes have the ability to adapt to very differentbrightness levels. Conversely, the majority of cameras and monitors can onlycapture and display a fixed dynamic range. One option for achieving greater perceived dynamic range is with the newMerge to HDR command, which allows photographers to combine a series ofbracketed exposures into a single high dynamic range (HDR) image. HDR imagesstore luminance values using 32-bpc (bits per channel) floating-point math torepresent the entire dynamic range of the visible world. OUR EXPERT Trevor Morris Exposure adjustments DIALOG OPTIONS: The Exposure dialog allows you to better visualize your 32-bit images by adjusting Exposure, Offset and Gamma. Here, the eyedroppers were Trevor Morris is an official Photoshop beta tester Given that the number of colours in an used to identify the highlights, shadows and midtones, then Gamma was adjusted. and amateur digital photographer with more than a HDR image is far beyond the capabilities dozen years’ design experience. He works as a senior of any display device, Photoshop ● Exposure (highlights): Adjusts the ● The Exposure dialog also has a set graphic designer for a Canadian web design provides you with a few tools to make brightness/darkness of the image, with of eyedroppers, but instead of affecting company and also maintains the Photoshop-centric the visualisation of this data more minimal effect in the extreme shadows. all colour channels as they do in the website GFX™ (http://user.fundy.net/morris). meaningful. One of these tools is the Move the slider left to darken the image, Levels and Curves dialogs, they only Exposure command (Image>Adjustment and right to brighten the image. Values adjust the image’s luminance values.How many colours s>Exposure), a sort of 32-bit equivalent are in increments equivalent to f-stopsis 32-bpc? of the standard Brightness/Contrast (from -20 to +20). So, for example, an ● Set Black Point: Sets the Offset adjustment command: however, unlike adjustment of +1.50 or -1.50 would be (shadows), shifting the pixel that youA single 32-bpc (bits per channel) Brightness/Contrast, changes made with analogous to widening (opening) or click to zero.RGB image has: Exposure are largely reversible for 32-bit reducing (closing) the aperture by 11/2 images. (Note that although the stops, respectively. ● Set White Point: Sets the Exposure ● 7.9 x 10 28 colours Exposure command can be used with 8- (highlights), shifting the point you click ● 79, 228, 162, 514, 264, 337, 593, and 16-bpc images, it was specifically ● Offset (shadows): Darkens the to white (1.0 for HDR images). designed for making exposure shadows and midtones (from -0.5 to 543, 950, 336 colours adjustments to 32-bpc HDR images.) +0.5) with minimal affect on the ● Set Gray Point (Midtone): Sets the ● 79 octillion colours highlights in the image. Exposure (highlights), making the valueNow that’s a big box of crayons! The Exposure dialog offers the you click middle grey. following controls: ● Gamma (midtones): Adjusts the image gamma (from 0.1 to 9.99), using a ● The Save and Load buttons allowAdjusting HDR previews simple power function, with negative you to save your exposure adjustment values mirrored around zero (ie, values settings (as an .eap file) and apply themTo adjust the preview of a 32-bit image, choose View>32-Bit Preview Options. remain negative but are adjusted as if to other HDR images.This Options dialog offers two preview methods: Exposure And Gamma, which they were positive).adjusts the brightness and contrast, and Highlight Compression, which ● As with most Photoshop dialogs,compresses the highlight. Preview settings are stored with the HDR image; holding down Opt/Alt will change thehowever, all the HDR image information remains intact. Cancel button into a Reset button. You can also adjust the preview of an HDR image by clicking the right-facing A“BVOERBURIILGRYIHTETDYYNIFETEFSOSESHARADLEVEANEVPTETTLHTSEO”triangle in the status bar of the document window and choosing Show>32-bitExposure from the menu. Drag the slider to set the white point for viewing theHDR image; double-click the slider to reset it to the default (middle) position.62 Advanced Photoshop

WSteopr-bkys-shteoppBPIUXIELLDTAOWN 1 Setting upLearn the theory and techniques behind Create a new Photoshop document,isometric pixel art then use this to create your making sure the resolution is set to 72dpi and notown pixel town… BY GARY J LUCKEN 300dpi. Then, select the Pencil Tool and choose the smallest brush size, making sure anti-aliasingP ixel art is cute, compact, colourful my own Army of Trolls, the pixel is enjoying a is turned off (pixel art does not use anti-aliasing and beautiful to look at. It’s also very renaissance as a new form of illustration. unless it is done by hand). All pixel art is created at time-consuming to create and Isometric pixel art can create wonderfully busy 72dpi – this is why I tend to use ImageReady toadheres to a strict set of rules, which requires scenes that you can stare at for ages and still not create my work, because it is a perfectly suiteda large amount of dedication and patience. notice all the finer details, and of course it can be environment for creating pixel-based artwork. used to make sprite-based videogames and Pioneered by the videogame artists of the last animated GIFs. It’s also perfect for website design 2 A new view20 years, pixel art has grown into a valid as its low colour count makes for cool-looking When you create pixel art you will workillustration medium. It’s a modern art form but it images with small file sizes. with a zoomed-in view most of the time, but italso has a nostalgic feel that few recent art styles does help to also see what your creation will lookcan lay claim to, bringing back memories of late In this tutorial I will explain some of the theory like at 100%. To do this in Photoshop go tonights in front of the Super Nintendo for a whole and rules behind isometric pixel art and then take Window>Arrange>New Window For – this willlegion of 20- to 30-somethings. The pixel is you through the stages to create your own make a duplicate view of your image. Leave thiscurrently relegated to the handheld and mobile buildings. Hopefully you will be able to take this sitting to the side at as you work.gaming market while 3D games wow the crowds knowledge and create your own detailed pixelon the next-generation of videogame consoles. art cities. Pushing pixels can be very time- 3 Colours!However, with the success of artists like Eboy and consuming and requires a great deal of patience, Some people find it helpful to create a but it can also be one of the most rewarding and palette of colours next to their image, which can OUR EXPERT Gary J Lucken addictive art forms there is. If you can scale the aid colour choices making it quick and easy to steep learning curve you’ll be creating your own switch between hues. All you need to do is place Gary J Lucken is a videogame-obsessed striking pixel art in no time. a block of colour next to your image as you use North London-based artist who each new shade – this helps to keep track specialises in pixel art. He’s influenced by Although I work in ImageReady, you can follow of the hues you’re using when working on the golden age of sprite-based gaming the tutorial in Photoshop too – just ensure your colour-restricted videogame pixel art. and is the creator of pixel wonderland resolution is set to 72dpi, not 300dpi. www.armyoftrolls.co.uk.“INWMIOTHPT’SEORPRSELTOAAMYCNOEETUTAIWDMPOHEIEXSPRELJELAUCAYSESOTUOANDSEO”Pixel art programs Personally, I used Adobe ImageReady to create all my artwork. It has all the functionality of Photoshop but restricts you to a 72dpi workspace that is perfect for pixel art. That’s not to say it’s the only program to create your pixel art in – even MSPaint that comes with Photoshop is perfectly adequate to create pixel artwork. Some other programs that are perfect for pixel art are: Promotion: http://cosmigo.com/promotion/index.php Graphicsgale: www.humanbalance.net/gale/us Paint Shop Pro: www.corel.co.uk64 Advanced Photoshop

65Advanced Photoshop

SWteopr-bkys-shteopp4 Get closer 6 An isometric cube Make it 8 Join the corners Zoom in close to your pixel art – this way First we need to lay down the foundations your own You should now have a top and bottom toyou can concentrate on the close-up details. of our pixel city. Take the Pencil Tool and create a your cube, but we still need to join up the edges.Remember, you also have the 100% view to one square by drawing two pixels along, moving one There’s nothing that With the Pen Tool, join each bottom corner to itsside so can see if your art is heading the way you pixel up and then two along. Once you have a you can’t replicate in corresponding top corner. Once you have aexpected at any time. Pixel art differs from line that is about 30 steps long you can duplicate pixel art form – if you completed cube, link the layers and flatten themconventional art because you are massively it then flip it to make the other sides of your don’t quite fancy the using Merge Layers.restricted to a limited number of squares and square. This saves time and means that you do challenge of ancolours with which to create your images. It’s not have to hand-draw every last pixel. entire town, start by 9 Adding coloursometimes just as important where you do not creating a few small Now we need to add some colour to ourplace a pixel as where you do place one. sprites like the little cube. Select a light green colour and fill in the top penguin on the left section of the cube with the Fill Tool, then tidy up and build up to a any leftover black pixels. Now choose a darker metropolis that way. green and fill the right-hand side, then fill the left- You can duplicate hand side with an even darker green. and re-use elements too (check out the balloon seller in the main image), making the process far less time-consuming. Although pixel art by its nature is quite linear, that doesn’t mean you can’t develop a trademark style. Incorporate your own sprites into every pixel world you create as a type of signature, or work on your own ways of reflecting light or representing faces – it is these small details that will make your work stand out as unique and catch a commissioner’s eye. As ever, let the Advanced Photoshop team know how you get on with pixelling!5 Along and up 7 Square dealing 10 Highlighting edges A traditional hand-drawn isometric Now you have your pixel square, duplicate You can get a nice effect on your cubeviewpoint is based on a 30-degree angle, but due it into a new layer and then you can place this by highlighting the edges. To do this choose ato the nature of the computer screen it cannot wherever you want. The higher you place it, the lighter green than the colour you filled the top ofdisplay a line of this angle smoothly without deeper the cube will be. the cube with and colour each pixel along theanti-aliasing, which we don’t want. Isometric pixel front edge in this lighter colour (also colour theart is created at an angle of 25.565 degrees, so the front corner of your cube). This technique is usedeasiest way to draw a line at this angle is to draw often in isometric pixel art, as it softens thetwo pixels along, move one pixel upwards then colours and creates a nice edge effect.draw two more pixels across and so on until youhave a slanted line.66 Advanced Photoshop

TechniquesTCH“YEGYFIHUEOGOFETBUHUEERLEACCIDBPGTNAGYIHIXNCOETEESNILN”G 13 Road trip Internet ideas Create a new layer, choose a grey colour and draw a line using the two along, one There are lots of great pixel art sites up method until you have what looks like a thick online, all with their own unique style. It’s grey line. This is our road tile. Notice I have also great fun and can be very inspiring to click created a kerb and placed road markings on the through these colourful websites: road. Experiment with the techniques you have ● www.armyoftrolls.co.uk (my site) learned to make your own road system. ● www.kennethfejer.dk ● www.eboy.com/eboy11 Down and dirty ● www.adamtierney.com As this green cube will form the base ● www.spriteart.com/main.htmlof our city’s foundation I have coloured the ● http://finalredemption.combottom section brown. To do this, select a nice The pixelopolis forums are full of veryearthy brown and pixel along the centre of the talented and helpful artists, just stick tofront of your cube (remembering the two along, the rules of the forum address below andone up rule). I have added a few more tones to you’ll get all the help you need.give it an earthier look. ● www.pixel-arts.org/pixelopolis/ 14 Building block index.php Now let’s create a building. First draw a square as we did in the first stages of the tile 16 Adding the roof terrace tutorial and then duplicate and raise the second Our building isn’t very interesting as a square to the desired height of your building. plain rectangle, so let’s add a more interesting Remember to join the edges as before. roof. The roof section is created from lots of different-sized squares, which are just thinner/ wider versions of the original buildings. Create any details like this in new layers, move them around until you are happy with the results, then merge all the layers.12 Joining the tiles 15 Basic colour Duplicate the foundation and place Join the edges with vertical lines,the cubes next to each other to make a larger Merge layers, and fill in the building with yourground area. For the purpose of this tutorial I have chosen colour. Remember that many of thekept things simple with just four cubes, but you objects in isometric pixel art can be created bycan keep creating new ground tiles until you are joining lots of smaller squares together.happy with the size of your foundation. CTSICN“HTRUIFNERREOIAVYKSETOTITN,IUINEYMGGECOEPPAUY”INX’LOLEEULSLARCBRAAEONRLWIETNNG 67 Advanced Photoshop

WSteopr-bkys-shteoppBitmap fonts Study the 20 Bricking it masters Using a darker shade I have createdWhen dealing with type in pixel art, it helps to brickwork on the top of the building – with a littlehave a selection of bitmap fonts. A bitmap font is One great way to practise you can add all sorts of textures to youra font specifically created to be viewed on screen. learn pixel art pixel art. A good tip is to draw a small square ofIt is made from pixels with no anti-aliasing as techniques is to your texture and then map this to your buildingopposed to a true type font, which is made up of study the masters, by copying and pasting it using layers.lines and curves and is typically used in print. there are a largeMany people refer to bitmap or pixel fonts as amount of websites 21 Put it all together‘screen fonts’, and if you want to use type in your specialising in sprite Now that we have the basics of ourpixel art illustrations then a bitmap font is a must. rips: videogame building we can place it on the foundations weYou’ll find all the bitmap fonts you will ever need artwork ripped made earlier on – simply open the layer thathere: www.dafont.com/bitmap.php. straight out of 2D contains your foundations and then drag or copy pixel-based games. it into the building document and place it where17 Windows and doors 19 Shady dealings You can learn a great you think it looks best. Every building needs windows, so let’s See the big happy sun? Well that’s our deal about pixel artcreate some. Study the pictures below and try to light source for the building. Taking this as the from downloadingrecreate the windows and doors. There’s no need source of the light, re-colour the surfaces of the these spritesto stick to the exact size, as a little variation can be building. The left side will catch the light, while opening them up ina good thing. Again, create them on a separate the right side needs to be much darker. Photoshop andlayer and then duplicate the windows until you studying them. Ihave as many as you want. recommend you check out this website as it collects together some amazing game artwork from Nintendo, Capcom, Square and Sega. Remember, though: passing off edits of these sprites as your own work is frowned upon in the pixel community. It’s okay to learn from them but not okay to steal. http://sprites. fireball20xl.com/ NSA/HTML/Poke18 Define and outline 22 Adding detail Using a similar method as we explored in the first part of the tutorial, I have highlighted the This is just an example of what youinside edges of the building, those within the black outside outline. Also notice how I colour the black can achieve with pixel art; below you’ll see that Ioutline a darker shade of the main colour. This really helps to give your pixel art a unique look, as have spruced up my building with some signs, asometimes the black outlines can be very harsh on the eye. police car and a few characters standing outside. After a while you will start to have a large amount of elements you can use for future images, so remember to build your pixel library by saving the individual elements in separate files.68 Advanced Photoshop

Techniques23 Creating Mr Pixel TMAT“OOORANTSSLETETTGEAUERRRDCESNYHA”NPTTIIQHXWUEEEALSY IS To create the Mr Pixel character portrait, I first did a quick pencil drawing and scanned it in.Try to draw your character as close to actual size as possible as this will make it easier to pixel over –there’s no need to worry about too much detail either, as it will just confuse things. 27 Highlighting Mr Pixel Once you have shaded your character you can start to add highlights, but notice how I haven’t gone over the top with the highlights. Using them sparingly can produce a much better effect than getting too carried away.24 Create the outline 26 Give him some shade 28 Finishing touches Create another layer above the Now let’s get some shading on Mr Now that we’ve shaded andoriginal scan and pixel over the top, picking out Pixel. Choose a light source and darken the side of highlighted our character, it’s time to finish himthe outlines and finer details. Try to keep things the face opposite to where the light will hit. I off. Try to remove any remaining black pixels thatneat and tidy, but don’t worry too much as you always try to avoid using greys or variations of fall inside the main outline, and notice howcan always neaten things up later. If you want to colours with more black in them – as you can see instead of the black outline of the eyes and nose Iyou can copy and paste elements to keep things from the picture below I used a blue to shade the have used a darker skin tone or a similar shade.symmetrical (as you can see both eyes are the darker areas of the white shirt, this helps me tosame just copied and flipped). get a bright colourful effect. Now Mr Pixel is ready for action. 525 Colouring him in Pixel art for print Once you have your basic outline,start to fill large areas with your chosen colours. All pixel art is done at a screen resolution ofFor this you can use the Fill Tool, just make sure 72dpi, but artwork for print is normallythat anti-aliasing is unchecked and that tolerance supplied at 200-300dpi. If you produceis set to 0. Then fill away, colouring in large pixel-based artwork for print the printerssections with your chosen tones. may ask for your file to be at a high resolution. There is really no need to up the resolution of pixel art but you can do this in Photoshop by going to Image>Image Size then select Nearest Neighbor from the resample image drop-down menu. It’s safer to up the res by multiples of 72dpi, for example 144dpi, 288dpi and so on. 69 Advanced Photoshop

IInnsfidoer INISNIFDOERBuilding a better BridgeAdobe Bridge has a modest interface and a generous complement of tools and features, but byleveraging Bridge’s powerful scripting API you can extend the app to suit your needs OUR EXPERT Trevor Morris A dobe Bridge is a first- BROWSEBAR: This script, which you can get hold of for free at the Adobe Studio generation application, Exchange website, allows you to browse images through typing a navigational path Trevor Morris is an official Photoshop beta tester written from the ground up to and amateur digital photographer with more than a replace the now defunct Photoshop Metadata, a dialog appears with the METADATA SCRIPT: I created a script dozen years’ design experience. He works as a senior File Browser. Yet, in spite of its infancy, following text (for example): “This photo that allows me to include a list of details graphic designer for a Canadian web design Bridge is highly configurable and was captured with a Nikon D70 (1/125s @ about how the photos were taken company and also maintains the Photoshop-centric extensible, thanks to its support for f/4.5, ISO 200, FL 70 mm).” And because website GFX™ (http://user.fundy.net/morris). ExtendScript (Adobe’s extended it’s a script, I can include whichever take a lot of time and patience to master. implementation of JavaScript). pieces of metadata I like and format the Fortunately, there are a lot of reallyFILENAME TO TITLE: Another free output any way I choose. useful scripts already available on thescript, this adds a command to the Tools Among other things, ExtendScript Internet, most of which are free (andmenu that writes the title of selected allows you to create custom commands You can also write workflow those that aren’t tend to be veryfiles to their IPTC Title fields and user interface components using automation scripts that interact with one reasonably priced). your preferred text editor (or or more or all of the applications in the ExtendScript Toolkit, a simple scripting Creative Suite. In fact, many of the Copy Camera Metadata is the script interface that installs with Bridge). workflow automation commands that mentioned above, which displays a ship with the Creative Suite applications formatted string of camera metadata A real-world example are themselves scripts, including Bridge’s that may be copied to the clipboard own Script Manager, Bridge Center, and (including camera make, model, Consider this example. Occasionally, I the Adobe Stock Photo service. The exposure, bias/compensation, ISO post my photographs online, and when possibilities are virtually limitless. speed, and focal length). The script adds I do I like to include some associated camera metadata (eg, make, model, Plenty of options exposure, ISO speed, etc). However, since Bridge doesn’t currently have any Admittedly, not everyone is cut out for commands for exporting metadata, I’d scripting. We ‘creative types’ tend to be have to type the metadata by hand – a predominately right-brained, and rather tedious and error-prone exercise scripting is a left-brain activity that can that I’d just as soon avoid. So, I wrote a script to display the desired metadata as part of a formatted string, which I can then copy and paste into another application. Now when I select a photo shot with my Nikon D70, and choose Edit>Copy CameraBridge-building resources IA“HNIINNGFDAHSNLEPYCXITYTCEE,OBNONRSFFIIDBIIGTGLUSEER”IASBLEHere are several resources where you can learn more about Bridge scripts: ● Adobe Bridge Scripting Reference – a must-have reference for anyone who plans to write their own Bridge scripts: www.adobe.com/products/ creativesuite/pdfs/bridge_javascript_ref.pdf ● Adobe Studio Exchange – example scripts for Bridge: http://share.studio.adobe.com/axBrowseSubmit.asp?c=222 ● PS-Scripts – unofficial Photoshop and Bridge scripting community forum: www.ps-scripts.com/bb/Official Adobe Bridge Forums: ● Adobe Bridge Forum (Mac): http://tinyurl.com/bskku ● Adobe Bridge Forum (Windows): http://tinyurl.com/d6cvf ● Adobe Bridge Scripting Forum: http://tinyurl.com/8uw3470 Advanced Photoshop

Techniques TT“LOSEOHFCFATMRTTIIA-MPBCSTERATIANNAEIGNNRTD”AIASKPCAEATTIAVIEILTNOYCTE DR BROWN’S 1 2 3 JPEG LEFT , The advantages of ExtendScript IMPORT FROM CAMERA ABOVE : Yet more free scripts to enhance your ExtendScript files may be identified ● Tools for creating extensible working life, these are available from by their .jsx extension. ExtendScript script-based user interfaces. Dr Brown’s site and the Adobe Studio offers all of the standard JavaScript Exchange respectively and are quick features, in additional to the Bridge also installs with and very easy to install following features: ExtendScript Toolkit, an interactive development and debugginga Copy Camera Metadata command to imported files using customisable ● Platform-independent file and environment with basic text-editing folder representation (meaning that features and syntax highlighting.the Edit menu, and works for one or more templates, while optionally preserving scripts written on an Apple Mac will ExtendScript Toolkit makes it easy to work on a Windows-based machine create and debug scripts for any ofselected files, or all files if none are the original filename in metadata. without modification). the Creative Suite applications.selected. The script is available for free Import from Camera also allows you tofrom the following address: http://user. apply (append or replace) metadatafundy.net/morris/downloads/scripts/ templates, create duplicate/backup Levels and Hue/Saturation adjustments made to the first selected image.CopyCameraMetadata_BR.jsx copies of each photo, and render the ● Black-n-White: Converts all selectedBrowseBar is a must-have script that associated Bridge thumbnails and colour images to black-and-white based on the manual Hue/Saturationadds a location bar to Bridge, allowing previews. Once installed, the Import adjustment made to the first image.you to navigate by typing or pasting a from Camera dialog is accessed via All of Dr Browns’ Services are provided in a single ‘easy installer’ (available forpath. BrowseBar also provides a New Bridge’s Tools menu. Mac and PC), making the installation quick and painless. The installer is alsoWindow button that opens the current Import from Camera is available as a designed to update any previous VIEW NAVIGATOR: This script makes installation of Dr Brown’s Services. The working with Bridge faster, adding ainserted path in a new Bridge window. ZIP archive, which includes the main installer, as well as several instruction menu option for each Bridge window QuickTime videos are available for freeIt’s available for free from the Adobe script, several supporting script libraries, download from Dr Brown’s site a www. Bridge updates russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html.Studio Exchange website (provided you and user manual. The script is available If you haven’t already, make sure that Installation is easy you get the Bridge 1.0.4 update fromaccept the standard licence agreement): for free from the Adobe Studio Exchange Adobe’s website. Installing scripts is a straightforward ● PC: www.adobe.com/support/http://share.studio.adobe.com/ website (provided you accept the licence process, involving little more than placing them into the StartupScripts downloads/product.jsp?productaxBrowseSubmit.asp?c=222 agreement): http://share.studio.adobe. folder and restarting the application. =108&platform=Windows ● Mac: www.adobe.com/support/View Navigator adds a menu com/axBrowseSubmit.asp?c=222 For a default install of Bridge, the StartupScripts folder is located here: downloads/product.jsp?producommand to the bottom of the Window Dr. Browns’ Services 1.4 is a set of ct=108&platform=Macintosh Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/ This patch greatly improves themenu for each new Bridge window, timesaving scripts for Adobe Photoshop Adobe/StartupScripts/ stability and speed of Adobe Bridge, plus adds a few enhancements.allowing you to quickly switch/navigate CS2 (currently available in English only) PC: C:\Program Files\Common Files\ Adobe\StartupScripts Language barrierbetween them. The script is available for that may be invoked from Bridge. You can also access the StartupScripts ● Note that although Photoshop andfree from the Adobe Studio Exchange site Services include: folder by opening Bridge Preferences other Creative Suite applications (Cmd/Ctrl+K), and clicking Reveal support AppleScript (on MacOS),(provided you accept the licence ● Merge-A-Matic: Combines multiple (located near the bottom of the General VisualBasic Script (on Windows) and panel). Once you’ve placed the scripts JavaScript (on both MacOS andagreement): http://share.studio.adobe. images into a single, layered document into the StartupScripts folder and Windows), Bridge scripts can only be restarted Bridge, your scripts should be written in JavaScript (ExtendScript).com/axBrowseSubmit.asp?c=222 inside Photoshop (ideal for animations). available. How they’re accessed and where they’re located depends on theFilename to Title adds a ‘Write ● Place-A-Matic: Places the selected scripts themselves.Filename to IPTC Title Field’ command to images (including Camera Raw files) asthe Tools menu, which writes the title of Smart Objects into a single, layeredthe selected files to their respective IPTC document inside Photoshop (ideal forTitle fields. The script operates on one or tone-mapped composites).more selected files, or all files if no files ● Caption Maker: Adds customisableare selected. You may download this metadata captions to your images, andscript for free from the following address: includes resizing/sharpening controls.http://damuseful.com/pages/ ● 1-2-3 JPEG: Processes threePimpMyBridge.html variations of JPEG images, and optionallyImport from Camera is a Bridge full- applies the designated action.featured automation script that greatly ● Auto Correct: automatically correctssimplifies the process of importing all selected colour images by applyingimages from your camera (or any other Auto Color and Auto Levels.removable media). Its powerful batch ● Manual Correct: Corrects allrenaming options allow you to rename selected colour images based on manual 71 Advanced Photoshop

Eye-catching imagery thatinspires and challengesT he Advanced Photoshop team isn’t going to be swayed by the nearby glistening sands and the prospect of a 99 with Flake during these summer months. Needless to say we’re as enthusiastic aboutour Photoshop work as ever before, which is a good job as our readers havedone us proud with their latest creations. We’ve been busy browsingthrough your submissions to find the best examples of your digital work. Sending your images in to us for inclusion in Peer Pressure is an ideal way toget your name out there. You never know who’s browsing through the magazinelooking for new, fresh talent! There’s also the opportunity to kick-start your careerand see your image on the front cover. If you’d like to see your own work on these pages, please send us low-resversions to [email protected] and we’ll get back toyou for more information and higher resolution copies if we want to print them.Alternatively, please log on to our forum website at www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk and scroll down to Peer Pressure in the Creative Projects section to post alink to your image samples. You’ll stand a better chance of seeing your work in print if you adhere to the following criteria: make sure that your images are high-quality TIFFs or JPEGs (RGB or CMYK), 300dpi minimum, and can be printed at 15cm x 15cm minimum. Don’t forget to include a short text file detailing how you created your work, too. By submitting images to Edward Scissorhands Bobblehead Advanced Photoshop’s Peer Pressure, or posting NAME: Meowza Katz links on the forum you EMAIL: [email protected] hereby grant Imagine SOURCES: www.sxc.hu and, if relevant, clients to whom the relevant work Meowza Katz wanted to create an image that was full of fantasy, yet had a sense of reality in it. “For an has been provided, an image with this style and many painted elements, the Smudge Tool becomes my greatest ally.” Meowza irrevocable, perpetual, brought in rough source images to form the basic composition and then used the Smudge Tool set at royalty-free licence to use varying pressure levels to give everything a painted look. intellectual property in relation to work similar or “I carried out the facial areas by roughing in certain areas of colour using the Brush Tool and then equivalent to the work. used the Smudge Tool set at a pressure of 40-50% to smooth and form the painting to my liking. For the This includes the right to body, parts of various action figures were used to assemble the character,” Meowza tells us. showcase work on multimedia formats. “Creating an image like this was a great lesson in freestyle Photoshop painting, where a lot of the elements need to be hand-drawn. A little background in general drawing never hurts either!”72 Advanced Photoshop

Techniques City Skyline NAME: Sageeporn Hannarong EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.shannarong.com Sageeporn is a recent graduate in MA Computer Imaging in Architecture from the University of Westminster. “I created this image last Christmas when I was working on my online portfolio, so I was in a big festive mood.” This image was created by filling the background with solid grey and creating a new layer with a transparent yellow gradient. Sageeporn then built another layer and created the wallpapered background on the image using a Fill>Custom Pattern. “I created the branches by overlapping a photograph and tweaking the brightness and contrast until it became black and white. The blend option of the branch layer was set to Darken, while the skyscrapers were set to Difference.”DoorwayNAME: Jamie BeerEMAIL: [email protected] Beer created this image as part of a head-to-head challenge onAdvanced Photoshop’s forum. The theme of the project was ‘Doorway’.“I began by taking photographs of doorways at different angles, trying to findinteresting perspectives. I didn’t end up using these photographs in theimage but used them to find the right composition.” Once Jamie had decidedon the composition he marked out the shape of the doorway with thePolygonal Lasso Tool and filled this area with black and grey. “I needed toadd another aspect to the image so I chose a photo of my hand that I cut outusing the Pen Tool before duplicating and transforming to form a secondhand. I used a black and grey gradient map to change the colour and tone aswell as adding in white shapes to make them slightly more abstract.” Thewallpaper was created by making a brush out of the hand shape. Finally, abeam of light was created from the door to the floor. 73 Advanced Photoshop

Discover the thinking behind the art Body chops NAME: Patrik Blomqvist EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.patrikland.se “The obvious secret behind my ‘body chops’ is a tripod,” Patrik Blomqvist from Sweden tells us. “The possibilities are endless with a tripod and an infrared remote control.” For his ‘Ikea’ shot Patrik took about 20 images, including an empty scene, and simply removed all the necessary parts. “This kind of image requires a bit of planning and it’s quite hard work. I try to give shadows extra attention, but they are easily missed.” Patrik used precision selections when getting rid of the unwanted ‘parts’ using the Pen Tool. His second image is a tribute to Salvador Dali. Heads and legs were moulded in Photoshop using the Liquify filter and some heavy cutting and pasting. “The scene is built from scratch using a perspective warped texture for the floor and a simple texture for the back wall. Reflections were added to create realism in this unreal image. These were duplicates of the ‘legs’ rotated vertically and faded. The blending mode was set to Overlay and the opacity to 40%. The shadows were painted with solid black in a separate layer and then blurred with Gaussian blur with the opacity set to around 30%.” Jammin’ NAME: Greg Tappella EMAIL: [email protected] Greg Tappella created this image from source files on www.shutterstock.com. “I wanted to try to create a ‘dirtier’, more distressed version of this popular style. I copied the main images many times, posterized them and changed the threshold to retain some of the main details. On another layer I used both a Find Edges filter and High Pass. I continued to blend all of these layers together until I can up with something that I was happy with. I then copied the layer and used the Fibers filter along with the Mezzotint filter to give it the textured look I had hoped for.”74 Advanced Photoshop

Techniques IBNESSHTOWVibrant illustrationsNAME: Demitri NezisEMAIL: [email protected]: www.theaoi.com/artist/demitrinezis/index.htmlDemitri Nezis is a practising freelance illustrator who is now based inLondon after graduating from the University of Portsmouth, where hestudied illustration. Demitri developed his design skills after a stint asa street artist and graffiti writer in Athens, where he was brought up.This style has a strong influence in his digital creations. “Street art isfree for everyone. I see the urban landscape as a gallery, it’s the bestway of getting everyday people closer to art.” Demitri’s past projectshave involved working with the Hellenic Air Force in Athens and takingpart in an art project at Japan’s Design Fiesta Gallery in Tokyo. 75 Advanced Photoshop

HelpdeskWe’re awash with hardware queries this issue, so our technical expert revealsthe best kit to complement your creativity BY JULIE EASTON BIG IT UP I have recently started looking at getting a large-format printer and I was wondering if you have any suggestions on what models to look at? Ideally I would like a maximum of 22 inches. Hope you can help. James Tucker, via emailBEE ME UP: Good macro shots are harder to achieve than Epson does a wide range of large-format printers, which all IN THE RAW: RawShooter Premium is a good standalonethey look, but they can be used in a variety of ways offer superb printing quality. If price is a consideration then conversion option, but you could upgrade to CS2 instead the Epson Pro 4000 is the lowest-priced model, available forGET CLOSER around £1,500 online. However, this only supports up to 17 RAW DEALING inches and may not be enough to suit your requirements.I really want to get some good macro shots I have recently upgraded my film SLR to aof flowers with an abstract twist in order to The best of the range, balancing printing size and price, is digital model and I want to shoot in RAW touse them in digital illustrations. I have tried probably the Epson 7800. This retails for around £2,400, but maintain more image detail. I havemany times to get the perfect shot, but I it does allow you to print up to 24 inches and images look so Photoshop CS and I wondered if it was worthfind that my shots lack texture, which is crisp and clear that it’s worth every penny. Inks are expensive, upgrading to get the additional camerawhat I really need for this to work. I use a but they have good life and you can print onto any mediaNikon D50 with the 18-55mm kit lens. you want, including canvas. support in Camera RAW in CS2, or whetherSarah Hamworthy, via email I am better off buying another RAW-editing You might want to have a look on eBay if you fancy this program and sticking with CS. model but not the cost. When we looked there were a few John Logan, via email 7800s going for just under £2,000, and some even better prices on inks. More and more photographers are realising the benefits of shooting in RAW and as such there are dozens of programsIt is easy to think that capturing something like a flower PRO MODEL: The Epson 7800 is the out there offering conversion capabilities. The bonus ofclose-up is relatively simple, but in actual fact it is a real skill. pro choice for large-format printing shooting in RAW is being able to select important cameraFirst of all you need patience to find the right flower for your settings in post-production rather than at the time, whichneeds. Don’t think you can just see one and start snapping! is great if you need your image perfectly exposed and sharpLighting is key here, and as tempting as it might be to get out to boot. All cameras that can shoot in RAW have their ownin the sunshine, try to avoid shooting in bright weather. In conversion packages included. Some of these, such as Nikonorder for you to make the most of a flower’s texture you will Capture, are pretty good, but they don’t stand up to thefind it easier to capture detail on overcast days. dedicated options. The best standalone option is probably Pixmantic’s RawShooter Premium, the pay-for version of Using a flash is usually a big no-no, but occasionally a fill- RawShooter Essentials. This is a complete workflow solutionin flash used from a distance can help counteract shadows. and it’s super-fast at processing your pictures. However, yourThe biggest thing to bear in mind, though, is the composition. best bet is to upgrade to Photoshop CS2, as the built-inIf you’re using the image in digital artwork then you want to Camera RAW does the job admirably, plus you’ll reap thekeep the shot as clean as possible and free from background benefits of the other new additions to the software.distractions so that cutting out is a much simpler task.78 Advanced Photoshop

TechniquesNICE BOD: Spend money on lenses and a good body rather PHOTOSHOP SHORTCUTS FLAT OUT: The CanoScanthan more megapixels when it comes to buying your first DSLR LiDE 500F offers compact and I have always worked with Photoshop stylish film scanningWHICH SLR? Elements and have only recently made the trade up to Photoshop CS2. I work with layers WORKING FLAT OUTI have only just started to explore the every day and in Elements I could holdpossibilities of Photoshop, having been an down Alt and click with the mouse on a layer I have been using an old Epson scanner thatillustrator for many years. I’m learning a lot thumbnail in order to select everything on came with my computer when I bought it twoabout photography and want to get a new that layer. I can’t seem to do this in years ago, and I really need to upgrade. Icamera, but I have no idea what model to go Photoshop. Is there a way to get around this? I want to be able to scan a variety of objectsfor. I want a good SLR, but I don’t know if am having trouble learning all the shortcuts! and import them into Photoshop, some ofthere is much difference between six Steven Mills, via email which don’t even fit into my scanner. I alsomegapixels and ten megapixels, or whether want to be able to scan transparencies andthe money is better spent on lenses and a The way shortcuts work do vary from Photoshop Elements to film negatives.better zoom. Photoshop CS2. The one that you’re looking for is to right-click Simon Costa, via emailJane Doran, via email on the layer thumbnail and select Layer Transparency, which There are some great scanners around at the moment that will neatly select everything on that layer. If you are working will suit your requirements. If you would like to stick with theIt really depends what you are going to be using the camera on a Mac and don’t have a Mighty Mouse with right-click Epson range, then why not take a look at the Perfection V700for. If you are going to be taking shots for printing at no larger functionality then you will need to Ctrl+click to get the same Photo? You can scan almost anything, including 35mm,than A4, or using images within other forms of digital art, menu up. You can certainly improve your speed and workflow medium-format and large-format films. It’s also one of thethen there is not really much point spending out on massive by learning the shortcuts in Photoshop, and you can view first scanners to offer 6400x9600dpi scanning for under £500.megapixels. Once you get over six there’s really not a great a full list of available shortcuts at http://user.fundy.net/ If you’d rather move away from Epson, however, then theredeal of difference in quality at that size. morris/?photoshop01.shtml, where you can also download are some other good options over in the Canon camp. The a copy for future reference. Canon CanoScan LiDE 500F, for example, is super-sleek and If you are printing in larger formats, then your megapixel ultra-slim, yet offers a film adaptor and dedicatedcount will matter. If you fall into the former category then CLICK TRICK: Right-click or Ctrl+click on a layer thumbnail technologies to help you get the best from your scans.you would do better to invest in a good strong body and to select everything on that layera selection of quality zoom lenses. The best way to start is HELPDESKto look for a camera that comes with a lens kit, as this will CALL FOR QUESTIONSenable you to get a feel for the model and you’ll soon find outthe limitations of the included lenses and know what you Want help with your Photoshop problems?need to invest in. The Olympus E-500 DSLR is a good starting Then let our team of experts sort you out.camera and you can get it from www.digital-cameras.comfor around £640 with two lenses. Send your emails to us at: [email protected] A CROPPERIn order for my digital photos to print to a standard 7x5 borderless format, I have to slightlycrop each one to a specific size (I am currently using an Olympus E500 with a 4/5 format). Isthere a way in which I can preset a ‘cropping mask’ in Photoshop of the required specific sizethat can then be applied to each image for cropping? At the moment I have to crop each image, check the image size and then recrop as often as is necessary until I get it right! I am using Photoshop CS2. Graham, via email The easiest way to make sure that your images are cropped at 7x5 is to use the options bar at the top of the screen when the Crop Tool is selected. Here you can enter a specific height and width and your crop box will be restricted to this aspect ratio, meaning that you always get a perfect-sized image. DOWNSIZING: Use the Crop Tool’s options to Remember to specify whether you are fix the cropping box size for perfect proportions using a PC or Mac and the version number of your edition of Photoshop. 79 Advanced Photoshop

lteatbsGRAPHICSTABLETSHere’s some serious medication to ease the pain of any suffering PhotoshopperF or any Photoshop user who takes The Graphire4 Series their digital art seriously, a gadget that makes work easier or more natural to use is welcomed.Creating designs laboriously with a mouse The Graphire4 series is the first port of call for those who want to test out the benefitsthat has a mind of its own and only allows you of a graphics tablet without exhausting their Graphire4 budget. Although it’s aimed more towards Classicto draw awkward, inaccurate lines isn’t very the consumer market rather than the professional, you can enjoy all the essential Dimensions : 208 x 203.8 x 17.8mminspiring. Without access to the brush features such as pressure sensitivity and Active area: 127.6 x 92.8mm (A6) high-resolution accuracy. The Graphire4 Weight: 500gdynamics and accuracy, you’re only playing series is available in five different versions: Resolution: 2,000 dpi Graphire4 Classic, Graphire4 Classic XL, Pressure levels: 512with half of Photoshop’s power. Graphire4 Studio, Graphire4 Studio XL and Accuracy: +/- 0.5mm Graphire Bluetooth. New features have been SRP: £63.82In our opinion, getting a graphics tablet is added since previous Graphire models – ExpressKeys to which you can assign Fttooerltehfpuehrwtohenebersi0int2ef0oa7rtm7w4aw4ti0ow8n.w3oa1ncWomac-oeumropproed.cuocmtsolor g onmore important than splashing out on a fancy preferred shortcuts or macros, a scroll wheel that will help you to navigate a window upmonitor, and the great news is that it doesn’t have and down (just like the scroll wheel on a mouse) and a photo frame to secure imagesto be an expensive venture. There’s very little in the tablet ready to trace. Although the Graphire4 is Wacom’s budget range, thecompetition when it comes to the production of tablets feel incredibly professional and give you the chance to create and manipulategraphics tablets, with Wacom leading the way. artwork with impressive accuracy.However, the company does such a grand jobthat we’re not complaining at all. Over the nextfew pages we’re going to take a look at thedifferent models available from Wacom. We’ll becatering for everyone from those with tightbudgets to professional artists who need aserious piece of kit. For each model we will beexploring their features and benefits. If you’venever had the chance to experiment with agraphics tablet then we’ll take you through theartistic possibilities and show you how tocustomise your tablet to achieve the best effects.Once you’ve taken the first dip into the wonderfulworld of Wacom, you’ll never want to look back.TABGLEETTTISINMG OARGERAPHICSIMPORTANT THANSFAPNLACSYHMINOGNOITUOTRON A80 Advanced Photoshop

Graphire4 Graphire4 The Graphire4 Series ROHUaNrdDwaUrPeClassic XL Studio TECH HELP TGBAURBDAALGPELEHTTTIRHSEROF4AUENGIESGHLEWT,INHTACEHCREOEMD’SIBLYDimensions: 278 x 263.8 x 18mm Dimensions: 208 x 203.8 x 17.8mm PROFESSIONALActive area: 208 x 150.8mm (A5) Active area: 127.6 x 92.8mm (A6)Weight: 860g Weight: 500g SWettaincg oupmyoutrabletResolution: 2,000 dpi Resolution: 2,000 dpiPressure levels: 512 Pressure levels: 512 InstallingAccuracy: +/- 0.5mm Accuracy: +/-0.5mm You can simply plug and play your Wacom tablet into yourSRP: £127.65 SRP: £93.61 computer, but you will find that you don’t have access to any of the special features or be able to use the customisedGraphire4 GraphireStudio XL Bluetooth settings. Luckily, setting up yourDimensions: 278 x 263.8 x 18mm Dimensions: 257 x 24.3 x 280mm tablet is simple.Active area: 208.8 x 150.8mm (A5) Active area: 208.8 x 150.8mm (A5) Inside the boxWeight: 860g Weight: 860g contents you willResolution: 2,000 dpi Resolution: 2,000 dpi find an installationPressure levels: 512 Pressure levels: 512 CD. All you need toAccuracy: +/-0.5mm Accuracy: +/-0.5mm do is insert theSRP: £153.18 SRP: £161.69 CD-ROM into the drive and follow the instructions. Setting up Once your tablet has been installed, open up System Preferences or locate your tablet in your Control Panel. You need to make sure that Photoshop CS2 has been added as one of your applications. You can then work through the Pen, Eraser and Mapping options to make sure that your tablet is set up to suit your needs and your display settings. Brush preferences You won’t be able to make the most of your tablet settings unless you explore your brush preferences. There’s no right or wrong way to set up your tool, as it all depends on the brush you have selected. Open up Window>Brush, and click on any of the options on the left-hand side of the palette then adjust the drop- down menus to alter the behaviour of your pen. 81 Advanced Photoshop

lteatbsThe Intuos3 series The Intuos3 series The Intuos3 series is the third generation of Intuos3 A6 Intuos3 A5 Intuos3 A5 graphics tablet tailored to digital professionals. The Wide Intuos3 series is available in six different sizes; Dimensions: 23.9 x 21.7 x 1.3cm Dimensions: 34.5 x 26.2 x 1.3cm Intuos3 A3 Wide, Intuos3 A4 Oversize, Intuos3 A4, Active area: 12.7 x 10.1cm (A6) Active area: 20.3 x 15.2cm (A5) Dimensions: 41.8 x 26.2 x 1.4cm Intuos3 A5 Wide, Intuos A5 and Intuos3 A6. The Weight: 600g Weight: 1,000g Active area: 27.1 x 15.9cm variable-sized active area of the tablets is designed Touch Strip controller: One, at left Touch Strip controller: Two, at left Weight: 1,000g to simulate a paper feel, while the ExpressKeys and side of tablet and right side of tablet Touch Strip controller: Two, at left Touch Strips enable the design to use the tablet as Number of ExpressKeys: 4, at the left Number of ExpressKeys: 8, 4 on each and right side of tablet the primary tool on the desk. You can really get side of tablet side of tablet Number of ExpressKeys: 8, 4 on each creative, with a range of input devices comprising Pressure levels: 1,024 Pressure levels: 1,024 side of tablet Grip Pen, Mouse, Airbrush, Art Marker, Classic Pen, Accuracy: +/-0.25mm Accuracy: +/-0.25mm Pressure levels: 1, 024 InkPen and Lens Cursor. Each input source allows SRP: £129.99 SRP: £199.99 Accuracy: +/-0.25mm you to approach your work with a new creative SRP: £255.31 slant and gives as much freedom as you would Intuos3 A4 Intuos3 A3 have working on a canvas. The Intuos3 range will fit Wide Intuos3 A4 nicely into any modern setup with its sleek and Dimensions: 44.0 x 34.0 x 1.4cm Oversize sophisticated design. However, think carefully Active area: 30.5 x 23cm (A4) Dimensions: 62.2 x 42.9 x 3.6cm about the size of tablet you require as the larger Weight 1,800g Active area: 48.8 x 30.5cm Dimensions: 42.9 x 44.0 x 3.6cm versions (from A5 up) take up quite a bit of room Touch strip controller: 2, at left and Weight: 3,000g Active area: 30.5 x 30.5cm and you will need plenty of desk space if you also right side of tablet Touch Strip controller: Two, at left Weight: 2,100g need access to your keyboard. Number of ExpressKeys: Eight, four and right side of tablet Touch Strip controller: Two, at left on each side of tablet Number of ExpressKeys: 8, 4 on each and right side of tablet THE INTUOS3 Pressure levels: 1,024 side of tablet Number of ExpressKeys: Eight, four NWRMIAOCITNDEHGELEYIRTNWSINSITLELOTFAUINPTY Accuracy +/-0.25mm Pressure levels: 1,024 on each side of tablet SOPHISTICATED SRP: £309.99 Accuracy: +/-0.25mm Pressure levels: 1,024 DESIGN SRP: £509.99 Accuracy: +/-0.25mm SRP: £379.9982 Advanced Photoshop

ROHUaNrdDwaUrPeCintiq 21UX Customised settings ACCESSORIESDifferent effects created with customised settings and various input devices Pen Pressure Scatter RotationCintiq 21UXThe revolutionary Cintiq 21UXInteractive Pen display is the ratherglamorous sister of the graphics tablet.To work the Interactive Pen Display you Mmaokisngt tohef tools‘draw’ on the actual 21.3-inch flat- There’s a wealth of accessories you can use to really get creative with your graphics tablets. Take a look atscreen display itself, just as you would the Input devices by logging on to www.wacom- europe.com. There are three specific devices that willdo with a pen on paper. There’s the work wonders for your Photoshop designs. These are;chance to experiment with different Intuos3 Grip Pen The standard pen for the Intuos3 tablet system,input devices using the Cintiq Grip Pen equipped with a waisted rubberised grip area to reduce strain. The pen has 1,024 different pressure levels as wellwith replaceable nibs, as well as the as tilt sensitivity of up to 60 degrees. The nibs of the pen can be altered through the standard nib to a strokeCintiq Airbrush, or you can cut costs by and felt nib. The tip of the pen also doubles up as an eraser and you can customise this to be just asusing the same pens as you use on pressure-sensitive as the pen tip.Intuos3’s system. As with the Intuos3 Intuos3 Airbrush The Airbrush offers a realistic simulation of inkrange of graphics tablets, you can application with spray distance and tilt giving it the performance of a real life spray can. The stylus wheelincrease your efficiency and ditch your gives 1,024 different levels of fine graduations. The brush also recognises the tilt angle of 60 degrees. Again, the tipkeyboard with the integrated REVTOHLUETIONARY of the brush acts as a customisable eraser.ExpressKeys and Touch Strips. CINTIQ 21UX IS TTGSHAIRSEBATLPEGEHRLTIACOMSFOTRHOEUS Intuos3 Art Marker LCD Screen: TFT active matrix LCD The Art Marker is modelled on the traditional felt marker Screen Size: 54.2cm and has an angled tip that enables the designer to draw Display Area: 432 x 324mm variable strokes. The pen’s tip is either made or plastic or Resolution: 1,600 x 1,200 pixels real felt, depending on the nib you choose and you can Colour Depth: 16.7 million colours (24 bit) change the width of your stroke by turning the pen’s Pressure Levels: 1,024 barrel along its 180-degree longitudinal axis. Weight (including stand): 10.2kg Weight (excluding stand): 8.5kg 83 Driver software: Windows 2000/XP, Mac OS X 10.2.6 or higher Advanced Photoshop SRP: £1,899Trust tabletsAs we’ve already mentioned, there’s very little competition when itcomes to graphics tablets. The only other main manufacturer isTrust, although its products only support Windows systems andnot Mac. Each tablet offers 512 levels of pressure sensitivity andfunction buttons. For more information visit www.trust.com.

Giving you the creative edge Whatever your Photoshop desire, we have the resources to make it happen technology 86 How does Apple’s new Intel infatuation affect our favourite app? art galleries 90 Expand your inspirational sphere with these fantastic day trips books 92 Reviewing the latest and greatest publications in designRecommends plug-ins 94Army of Trolls PIXEL PERFECTION: Expand Photoshop’s capabilities with Think inside the box on PAGE 92 these handy downloads E very issue we take a look at sources of inspiration for your Photoshop art. Whether you head to the bookshelves or to the Internet, as creatives we’re always searching for new images to excite us. This issue we thought we’d give you something new. Looking to art galleries for a source of creativity, leaf through our collection of the best museums and galleries to visit countrywide and we’ll give you our honest opinion. If you’d rather stick to a book then you’re catered for too. Whether you need a publication to help you master the basics of Photoshop or you’re after something with a bit more creative flair, there’s something for all. Finally, we all love a great plug-in, especially if it’s free, so we’ve tracked down a huge selection of downloads that you can try out. Just turn the page to find all the resources you need to start creating. 85 Advanced Photoshop



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Mac & AdobeMac & AdobeWhen Apple announced it was to use Intel chips in its Macs the computer industrywas delighted, but for the creative industry it was a different story BY NATALIE JOHNSONA pple’s announcement brought an end to PowerPC roadmap wouldn’t fulfil Apple’s needs in WILL CS3 its decade-long relationship with IBM. The terms of computing power. BETTER HANDLE idea of using Intel chips in Macs was raised THE PACE ANDby Apple as long ago as 1985, shortly after Jobs Steve Jobs exclaimed to his eager audience of Mac POWER CREATIVEwas forced out of his own company. In 1991 Apple devotees that the transition would begin in June 2006 PROS DEMAND IFand IBM began discussing the feasibility of (a year after the WWDC announcement) and would be THEY CONTINUEswapping hardware and software technologies. complete by the end of 2007. In fact, Apple launched TO USE AN INTEL-Eventually PowerPC was created, but while Apple its first Intel based model on 10 January 2006 with the BASED MAC?took it up the PC market stuck with Intel chips. release of the MacBook Pro, and a revised versions of the iMac. A month later, on 28 February, the Intel- “Our goal is to provide our customers with the best based Mac Mini was introduced to the world.personal computers in the world, and looking aheadIntel has the strongest processor roadmap by far,” said Apple’s latest addition was the 13-inch MacBookSteve Jobs at the 2005 WWDC. “It’s been ten years released on May 16th, completing the line of Intel-since our transition to the PowerPC, and we think based laptops. According to reports, Jobs hasIntel’s technology will help us create the best personal indicated that the changeover could be completed ascomputers for the next ten years.” early as the end of this year. The reasons stated for the change were vague, but Along came Adobeindustry insiders have suggested motives, rangingfrom the reputed dangerously high temperatures the At the time executives at Adobe were pleased withG5-class PowerPC chips generated to IBM’s supply Apple’s plans to switch. “We think this is a really smartproblems. Also, it was implied that the future move on Apple’s part and plan to create future versions of our Creative Suite for Macintosh that 11 JANUARY 2005: Apple introduces the Mac Mini to the world. The company enhanced the memory and released it with double the memory. Eleven months after the first version, Apple delivers the Mac Mini with Intel Core Duo 87 Advanced Photoshop

Feature UNOFFICIAL PHOTOSHOP BENCHMARK TRIALS In an unofficial benchmark trial carried out by the MacWorld website in May, the new 13-inch MacBook surpassed the iBook G4 in all tests except the Photoshop one, which was run on Apple’s Rosetta emulation technology. The same was true of the new MacBook Pro and its predecessor the 15-inch PowerBook G4. The following results show the time it took each Mac to perform a set of 14 tasks using a 50MB file, with the memory set to 70 per cent and History reduced to minimum.CHIP ‘SHOP: In the unofficial MacBook 1.83GHz MacBook 2GHz 14” iBook 17” MacBook Pro 15” PowerBook 20” iMac 2GHztest there was a marked Intel Core Duo Intel Core Duo 1.42GHz G4 2.16GHz Intel Core 1.67GHz G4 Intel Core Duodifference between the 2.53 2.38 1.49 Duo 2.26 1.34 2.31handling of Photoshop worksupport both PowerPC and Intel processors,” urged other issues running these applications,” explained of the most pointless programmes Apple has everBruce Chizen, CEO of Adobe, who participated in the Nick Peart, UK and Ireland PR manager at Adobe. given us. It moves slower than Classic and its redrawkeynote address. rate is pathetic. All I can say is wait for CS3 or – sin of all “Adobe Creative Suite does have one known issue: sins – load up Bootcamp and get a Windows version.” So when Apple launched its first Intel-packed one component, Version Cue Workspace (server),product six months early, Adobe was left to play does not run under Rosetta. We will continue to track Future speculationcatch-up. Industry pundits argue that Adobe went and communicate any known issues through ouralong with Apple’s originally proposed time-frame technical Support Knowledgebase at www.adobe. Intel Corp, the world’s largest microchip manufacturer,and was developing the eagerly awaited CS3 as the com/support/main.html. Adobe and Apple have has recently released plans for its next-generation ofIntel-compatible package. So when the eager beavers been partners for many years and we work as closely Intel chip, ‘Merom’ notebook processor. Reportsat Apple moved the goal posts by half a year, the as possible to create the best possible products for suggest the company will unleash two waves ofsoftware producer was forced to provide CS2 owners our shared customers.” Currently, the only Adobe updates including the replacement of the ‘Yonah’ chipwith a plug-in allowing them to use the applications product to run natively on the machines is Lightroom found in Apple’s current line of Intel Macs. The firston their newly purchased Intel-based Macs, rather (a beta is available from labs.adobe.com) the wave of Merom chips is due to start making their waythan re-release CS2 as a Universal application that company’s own answer to Aperture. into the MacBook Pro notebooks this autumn as partwould run on both Intel and PowerPC based systems. of a seasonal refresh prior to the Christmas shoppingAdobe simply made minor adjustments to the suite The latest launch period. If this happens Adobe may have to reviseenabling it to run within Apple’s Rosetta environment again how the hardware will run its Creative Suite.on Intel-based Mac computers. Rosetta is an The latest Intel-based Mac, the 13-inch MacBook, runsemulation layer that runs on top of the Tiger its native applications up to fives times faster than its So what then for the future for Apple and Adobeoperating system and converts key commands PowerPC-based predecessor the iBook G4, but and the Photoshop using population? Will CS3 betterwritten for PowerPC chips into ones that the Intel independent reports claim that it runs Photoshop handle the pace and power creative pros demand ifchips can interpret. This process has been criticized twice as slow. they continue to use an Intel-based Mac? Adobe hasby creative pros; the extra layer restricts some of the publicly stated that they plan to support PowerPC,performance of the new hardware as the chips are No official comparative performance results have Intel Macs and Windows based computers with thenot running a native application. “Adobe’s creative been released for running Photoshop on the old and next version of Creative Suite, and if the company’sapplications have not been extensively tested under new Macs from either company, and as such many track record of delivering new creative products everyRosetta, so customers may run into compatibility and independent trials have been carried out. The 18-24 months is anything to go by, creatives may not majority of tests show that the app on average runs get the update until the second quarter of 2007. THE NEW around twice as fast on the older Mac siblings,13-INCH MACBOOK although the reliability of these tests is questionable. Is it a case of the hare and the tortoise? Has AppleSURPASSED THE According to a benchmark test carried out by staff at really got that far ahead by launching Intel-basedIBOOK G4 IN ALL the MacWorld website the 13-inch MacBook out products before application leaders like Adobe heardTESTS EXCEPT powered the fastest iBook G4 in all but one of their the starting gun? If market share is anything to go by,THE PHOTOSHOP tests – the Photoshop test (see the boxout above for perhaps not. Gartner, an independent analyst group,ONE the results of this test). reported the Californian Mac producer still isn’t as successful as its PC rivals, with its share of the As these tests were carried out under unofficial worldwide market tumbling from 2.2 to 2.0 per cent. conditions it is recommended not to take them as Furthermore the figures show the company’s share in evidence but comment. For many the subjectivity of its native country made for concerned reading, 3.6 per expert creatives is proof enough. “Using Photoshop cent down from 3.8 per cent last year. Or maybe it’s CS2 on my new Intel Mac was one of the most painful Adobe who should pull its creative socks up and move experiences I have had and that includes trying to use the launch of CS3 forward to please its baying herd of Quark through Classic.” Says Mat McCartan, senior designer on the Mac magazine iCreate. “Rosetta is one followers. Only time will tell. 588 Advanced Photoshop

ThBeLfaAmCiKlyAmNeDmWbeHrsI(TilneEfc:tl)uT,dhaeentndhetewhwelihbniletaecok1f.A28Gp3pGHlHze’Mzs1Ian3ct-Beinlo-cbohkaMs(eraidgchlBatop)otokps.lpaPetRerfOsotPrICcrmnroHMetae(aOalnletcMIcifBCvtea)eoE,osco:afsbTkntaoehdPrpehretpoahntipehe(nrwpegmigy1tcahhw5hste-is)iipt.inrhvBsace?utnhh1tgMe7we-aioilnclfBcAhopopkle’s Mac & Adobe SMALL WONDERS: The small components that are causing a whole world of debate, argument and upset. They may improve the speed and capability of an Apple Mac’s native applications, but programs like Photoshop need a plug-in to operate 89Advanced Photoshop

resources art galleries With the summer in full swing, get out and about for some inspiration from your local art gallery The Barbican Day tripping Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London Modern Art Oxford EC2Y 8DS Address: 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, Web: www.barbican.org.uk OX1 1BP Phone: 0207 6384141 Web: www.modernartoxford.org.uk T he Barbican is a rare treat for the artist. Housing a Phone: 01865 722733 diverse range of world-class art – from dance and music to painting and film – under one roof, The Barbican Proving that to be great, you don’t have to be based in London is Modern Art Oxford. is unique experience. The largest gallery devoted to modern and contemporary art in the south east, it has a Since opening its doors to the public in 1982, almost 27 constantly changing programme of art events that maintain its reputation for million people have visited the seven-acre site. Split into two high-quality exhibitions. areas, The Barbican Art Gallery and The Curve house the Currently presenting Out Of Beirut, a comprehensive exhibition of the work of museum’s collection of visual arts. The Curve is home to a series artists, performers and writers emerging from the formerly war-torn city, it’s a of new commissions created especially for the gallery by thought-provoking view. contemporary artists while the Art Gallery showcases work of To keep you up to date on what’s on at the Modern Art Oxford, check out the Stay In more renowned artists, with a dynamic mix of art, Touch section of the website, where you can photography, architecture and design. 5sign up for regular email updates. Hosting a range of exhibitions, as well as organising Recommends Rating: 3/5 touring exhibitions that travel the world, every visit to The Barbican is a new experience. Currently, a visit to the Art Gallery will see you taking a walk through futuristic cities, whet your appetite for the real thing. Upcoming The Saatchi Gallery while in The Curve up-and-coming artist Tomas Saraceno will exhibitions listed include Future City: Experiment present his vision of the future. and Utopia in Architecture, which runs until mid-September Address: Currently moving venue Web: www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk Although some of the exhibitions and events at The Barbican (check out this issue’s Bulletin for more), and coverage of Phone: TBA are free, you’ll find a small (around £6) fee applicable to some of inventive sculptor Richard Wilson’s work later in the year. You’d The past home of exhibitions from the occasions. For more information on any of the aspects of be mad to miss it! 5 Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Boris The Barbican or to see what’s on, check out the website. A fantastically easy to navigate and informative online portal, it’ll Rating: 5/5 Mikhailov, The Saatchi Gallery has always aimed to present the work of young artists or those not often showcased in the UK. Now reaching an audience of around 600,000 a year, The Saatchi Gallery has had Tate Liverpool to find itself a new home. Address: Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4BB Moving to Chelsea, the gallery will open Web: www.tate.org.uk/liverpool Phone: 0151 702740 again in early 2007 in the Duke of York’s HQ, Sloane Square. Occupying the entire 50,000- square-foot building, The Saatchi Gallery will encompass a bookshop, educational facilities and a café. For a virtual tour of the new gallery, visit the website at www.saatchi-gallery.co. One of the family of four Tate museums, Tate Liverpool uk. Let’s hope the real thing is a good as the is situated in the heart of the Liverpool Docks. With the fame of its two London-based siblings the Tate 5virtual museum. Rating: 3/5 Liverpool is often overlooked, yet after opening nearly two decades ago in 1988 it’s now as well-established and The Animation Art Gallery well-loved as the other galleries. Address: 13-14 Great Castle Street, Situated in a converted warehouse, the museum has brought London, W1W 8LS some of the UK’s best-loved art to the north west and has played a part in the regeneration of the run-down docks area. Web: www.theanimationartgallery.com As well as housing an impressive range of 20th and 21st-century Phone: 0207 2551456 artwork, the Tate Liverpool has a fantastic range of temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Showcasing the work of From the best original animation modern artists like Bruce Nauman, whose work has inspired artists since the Seventies, the museum’s exhibition programme cels, sketches and concept art is international in scope. to gallery exclusive Recommends Future events to look out for include Liverpool Biennial: International 06, where Tate Liverpool will be collaborating with commissioned pop art the Biennia’s exhibition team to realise new commissions by canvasses, this art gallery is a many of the most interesting artists from around the world, some showing for the first time in the UK. joy to look at or buy from. Although the museum may have fewer exhibitions than Hosting a range of events that see some based in the country’s capital, Tate Liverpool does a the voices of Bart and Lisa Simpson come to London, or a Hat Party in celebration of new Dr Seuss artwork, The Animation Art Gallery fantastic job of bringing a wide-ranging, diverse selection of provides probably the most fun you can have artworks to Liverpool. And from a city that has been voted the European Capital of Culture for 2008, we’d expect no less. Set to at an art gallery. Situated off of London’s become stratospherically cool. 5 Regent Street or at the new Glasgow gallery in Rating: 4/5 Debenhams on Argyle Street, you can pick up a reasonably priced piece of art that could 5really mean something to you. Rating: 5/590 Advanced Photoshop

Day tripping Gallery of Modern Art resourcesVictoria and Albert Address: Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AH Web: www.glasgowmuseums.comAddress: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL Phone: 0141 2291996Web: www.vam.ac.ukPhone: 0207 9422000 B eing the second most visited contemporary art gallery outside of London, the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)If you want a diverse range of exhibitions, is a must-visit if you’re in the Glasgow area. Offering a unique programme of temporary exhibitions andevents and collections, look no further than workshops, the gallery has something for everyone – no matter what your medium of interest.the V&A. From Modernism: Designing a Displaying work by local and international artists as well asNew World to Leonardo da Vinci: running events like the Annual Art Competition for Young People sets the GoMA apart from the rest.Experience, Experiment and Design, there’s Opened a decade ago in 1996, the Gallery of Modern Art issomething for everyone at one of the housed in an elegant, neo-classical building at the heart of the vibrant city. Refurbished to house the city’s contemporary artcountry’s best-looking museums. collection, the building is an appealing combination of old and new architecture, incorporating a number of artists’Situated just a stone’s throw from the commissions, and plays host to numerous exhibitions.Science Museum and the National History Enthralling millions of visitors over its seven years, the Gallery continues to evolve and is attracting new audiences every day.Museum, these three free attractions can make And Material World, one of its current exhibitions, can take some credit for this. The sculpture-based event features workfor the perfect day of inspiration. Whether you from the likes of Damien Hirst, Claire Barclay and Richard Deacon among others, and ends on 25 September. Later in thewant to draw the world’s largest mammal or be year you can enjoy November’s Contemporary Collection, which features work bought by Glasgow Museums’inspired by a costume collection, there’s plenty Contemporary Art Purchasing Panel. This exhibition includesto look at. For the museum’s full listing of events, Red Rag Gallery5visit its user-friendly site. Rating: 5/5 Address: 5-7 Church Street, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1BBDesign Museum work by Claire Barclay, Lucy Skaer and Douglas Gordon. For Web: www.redraggallery.co.uk more information on current events, or to subscribe to Preview,Address: Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD Phone: 01451 832563 the magazine of Glasgow museums, log on to the website,Web: www.designmuseum.org where you’ll also find links to all of Glasgow’s other majorPhone: 0870 8339955 T here are some galleries that everyone has heard of: galleries including The Burrell Collection, which includes The Tate, Tate Modern, National Portrait Gallery, theThe host of the Designer Of list goes on. To find inspiration from lesser-known artists sculpture by Rodin and works of art by Degas and Cézanne. 5 and less popular genres you generally need to scout out Rating: 4/5The Year exhibition earlier Recommends smaller galleries.this year, the Design Museum galleries around. For more information about exhibitions in thatis one of the world’s leading Red Rag Modern British Art Gallery specialises in fine area, or any other, check out Red Rag’s gallery map, available on contemporary art, sculpture and contemporary paintings from the website. It’s a really handy tool for finding exactly the artistmuseums of modern and present day British and Scottish artists. Although not ideal if you’re looking for inspiration purely in the digital art or or type of work you’re after. 5contemporary design. photography field, the gallery is an ideal place to find up-and- Rating: 4/5 coming artists before their prices shoot through the roof, andWith a website that attracts over one and a let’s face it, whether it is sketched, painted or moulded, the use of colour, form, perspective and the like is always a useful study.half million visitors a year, The Design Museum Based in some historic Cotswold buildings that were oncehas one of the world’s most popular design studios to artists John Blockley and Moira Huntly, the Red Rag gallery has one of the largest displays of British art in the UK.sites. Providing a huge and accessible online Couple the historic surroundings with the regular exhibitions of solo artists’ work and you end up with a fabulously inspiringresearch archive, the website has won gallery that’s also a great day out.numerous awards in its own right. Although its lack of city centre location could put some visitors off, if you’re in the locale there are plenty of otherThe museum is no second-class institutioneither. Celebrating design in every form –fashion, architecture, graphics, multimedia –over 200,000 people visited last year alone andthe museum has recently taken on the role asthe UK’s largest museum provider of design5educational resources. Rating: 5/5The Photographers’GalleryAddress: 5 & 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HYWeb: www.photonet.org.ukPhone: 0207 8311772The Photographers’ Gallery, the firstindependent gallery in Britain devoted tophotography, was founded in 1971. Developing a reputation as the UK’s primaryvenue for contemporary photography, one ofthe gallery’s major achievements has been toestablish photography within a wide viewingpublic, making it popular and accessible. Thegallery was the first in the country to show keynames such as André Kertész, Jacques-HenriLartigue and Irving Penn, and has an integratedprogramme of exhibitions to present the mostinnovative developments in photography aswell as nurturing new talent. Currentlyexpanding to envelop a new space on Ramillies5Street, London, this gallery is on the up. Rating: 4/5 91 Advanced Photoshop

resources books Whether you want some technical tips or some imaging inspiration, there’s a book to suit Photoshop CS2 Visual Encyclopedia Further reading Author: Stephen Romaniello Photoshop Elements 4:The Publisher: Wiley Art Of Digital Photography Price: £25.99 ISBN: 0764598600 Author: Mikkel Aaland Web: eu.wiley.com Publisher: Sybex Price: £19.99 W e all know it can take a while to become completely Encyclopedia is packed full of essential explanations and ISBN: 0782144462 comfortable with new software, and when that step-by-steps to help the visual artist. Web: eu.wiley.com software is as all-encompassing as Creative Suite 2, you can really be in trouble. A must-read for all up-and-coming artists and those new to Although as digital artists we’re aware of CS2, although it might cover old ground to those of you who the techniques and tricks needed to create Photoshop CS2 Visual Encyclopedia does exactly what it says in illustrations and artworks using Photoshop, the title. It gives you a complete A-Z run-through of all the CS2 have had some more experience. 5 tweaking your photographs can be a useful features, explaining what they do and how to use them, skill we often overlook. accompanied by images to illustrate each point. Rating: 3/5 From importing and managing files to Although this might sound a little basic for the advanced correcting colour, sharpening and adding a Photoshop user, there are some tricks and tips in here that copyright watermark, this book covers all you might just prove invaluable to your imaging. Whether you want need to get started. If if you already know the a more in-depth knowledge of clipping groups or you simply basics, then the chapters of perfecting your read the Tips, Warnings or Try This at the end of each chapter, outside shots, interiors, products and faces may your work can only get better with the help of this guide. prove to be important tools. The section covering handling panoramics with Written by Stephen Romaniello, the author of Mastering photomerge is particularly useful. Photoshop 6, Photoshop 7 Savvy, Photoshop CS Savvy, and Photoshop CS2 Savvy, the book covers tools first then takes a The images give this book a real lift in what look at the techniques behind the tools. Written in an could be a dull and tired read. There are some authoritative and informative yet easy-to-follow manner, CS2 useful pages, but on the whole there are better Character Design For Mobile Devices 5books out there. OREADPublisher: RotoVision Rating: 2/5 Author: NFGMan Manga Clip Art FFE ERPrice: £30 C RISBN: 2940361126 Author: Hayden Scott-Baron fMorohbairleacDter DWeb: www.rotovision.com Publisher: Ilex Advanced Photoshop readers can buy Price: £14.99 only £e2viceessign Forf you’ve read our Create Your ISBN: 1904705839 Web: www.ilex-press.com I 7.99Own Pixel Art tutorial, you Alongside comic pop art, manga has might already be itching to make developed into one of the most popular art something for your phone, PDA or forms in the world. Providing you with all home computer screen. For those of the elements you need to create your own, you in need of a bit more persuasion professional looking manga illustrations is of 2r0heToJfewoturlilintyteaehntkcooferenteahn0edeuv1pm4eaobnns7edttra6aoggJfee5OFoa4cf0nt1tod10h4bpi8sea.rO0ocf2kfffaa0eegn0rrid,n6cvgqaau(llliUodttKhfeerotonhmley). Manga Clip Art. the brilliance of this art form, look no Supplied with a CD packed full of high-res clip art, the book allows even those without further than this volume. any experience of the art form to create a ready-to-print image. Looking at the unique challenges faced by the creatives But don’t think it’s all done for you. With the behind designing icons for mobile devices, this is chock-full of guidance provided within this hardback you’ll soon develop your own unique style, as well as vibrant art and colourful characters. Recommends learning the basics of how to create, colour and A constantly changing process due to technological render original manga creations. A book for advancements and new creative blood, designing for this handheld console and features pages of colour 5lovers of the genre. medium can be an extremely restrictive process, and not just character images together with their own history and the Rating: 4/5 through space constraints. inspirations behind them. The Digital Canvas Looking at the mobile characters that have gone on to Whether you want to design for your PSP, the DS or your new Author: Jonathan Raimes, Malcolm Garrett Publisher: Ilex become icons, as well as looking at the profiles of the best in the Motorola phone, there’s inspiration galore here for you and Price: £19.95 ISBN: 1904705766 business and giving you some simple examples to get your own although this might be out of your usual book budget, it’s well Web: www.ilex-press.com artwork started, this book is a delight to read and simply great to worth a splurge. 5 Although most of us believe that Photoshop look at. Exploring the development of mobile game characters, is Adobe’s finest app, it’s not its only one. this read provides a detailed narrative of the history of the Rating: 5/5 The Digital Canvas looks at how easy it is to create fantastic artwork using the range of Photoshop, Illustrator and Painter features. Aimed at both beginners and advanced users, this books features a massive 350 images inside its 192 pages – a pretty good ratio! Looking at everything from the manipulation of basic lines, shapes and colours to the experimental art of John Maeda, this book is 5the ideal companion next to your tablet. Rating: 4/592 Advanced Photoshop

resources plug-ins Special effects Enhance Photoshop’s potential with these fantastic plug-ins available for download AlgoShop Exposure Developer: Algolith Price: US$89.95/£49 Developer: Alien Skin Software Web: www.algolith.com Price: US$99/£54 (upgrade) Web: www.alienskin.com Designed specifically for Photoshop CS It hasn’t been so long since the country’s photographers and CS2, this is a simple plug-in providing switched en masse to digital. Now, through Photoshop and apps like it, we strive to get that feel of real film back. improved image quality. Tidying up some Exposure from Alien Skin Software helps bring the look and of the regular problems found within feel of film to digital photographs. Effects that can be achieved include realistic film grain, simulating the characteristics of digital photography, AlgoShop focuses on dozens of film stocks. the blotchy irregular patches known as If you miss the distinctive look of film photography then check out the Exposure examples page, where you can see the Mosquito noise as well as the noise created effects you’re buying before you shell out your cash. Useful, but at the time of image capture (ISO noise). you can achieve similar effects without the £54 outlay. 5 With a simple and user-friendly interface Rating: 3/5 which allows you easy access to a before-and- LunarCell after preview, AlgoShop is certainly self- Developer: Flaming Pear Price: US$40/£21 (as part of a bundle) explanatory to use. It’s a useful tool for anyone Web: www.flamingpear.com who spends a lot of time cleaning up new If your regularly create space scenes within Photoshop you’ll know that plenty of texture and great sky shots digital or archived images, and the results can are an essential. LunarCell is a plug-in that’s dedicated to accurately recreating planets, and even allows you to 5be quite impressive. Rating: 4/5 download live cloud pictures from weather satellites. EtchTone v1.21 Download the free demo version to get to grips with the plug-in, or for just £21 you can buy the full plug-in alongside Developer: Andromeda two others – SolarCell (for fantasy-style suns) and Glitterato Price: US$98/£53 (full) (realistic star bursts and nebulas). Web: www.andromeda.com This is an inexpensive bundle, but unless you have a specific EtchTone is a rather niche creative plug-in that allows you to simulate the look of a use for lots of space images it might be best left on the shelf. 5 steel etching starting with just a black-and- white photograph. Rating: 3/5 Depending upon the end effect desired, PhotoFreebies the plug-in will either Overlay the etch or Blend the etch to give a classic old printing look. Developer: The Plugin Site Price: Free You can also buy this as part of a larger Web: www.thepluginsite.com bundle (Artistic Screening Tools, US$225/£121), which includes Cutline and Screens. I f you’re looking for a plug-in, you can’t go far wrong looking on a resource called The Plugin Site. From plug- Making results you can already achieve with ins to organise your other plug-ins to frame and photo Photoshop a lot easier, unless you’re having a effects, there’s something for every need and every pocket. lot of trouble mastering the Adobe techniques, PhotoFreebies is a collection of free plug-ins designed to 5these really aren’t worth the money. perform an array of photo manips and effects. Whether you want black and white, sepia or to remove transparency, this Rating: 2/5 plug-in has it all. Three-D Luxe v3 This won’t work with Photoshop versions lower than 7 on a Mac 3 on Windows, but all compatibility can be checked via the Developer: Andromeda Price: US$109/£59 (full) site before you download. 5 Web: www.andromeda.com Rating: 3/5 If you want to get your head around 3D without the expense of some of the high-end 3D packages, then this plug-in might just be what you’re after. With an even easier-to-use new interface, this is superior to its predecessor in more than one way. Now able to wrap textures and combine images from within Photoshop, Three-D can help you create high-quality rendered 3D objects from your own images and stock photography. Also providing you a selection of textures and surfaces within the plug-in, new features include Stressed, Rivoted, Aged and Alien sculpted surfaces, offering the full gamut of interesting creative options. Upgrade from 5previous versions for just US$19.95/£11. Rating: 4/594 Advanced Photoshop