14 replies to this topic

[Ronster]

See the way the Spartan in the foreground breaks up the light in the background?



I really like that effect and I really want to use it on the poster design, but I'm not reall that good with PS.

This is what I've got so far...


I like the way the helmet lights look and the illumination on the helmet itself...but the light in the background just looks kinda...dead. I want more interaction between the Spartan and the back light. Like he's really standing there in front of a light and you can see the light being broken up by his silhouette.

Any advice or tutorials you guys might have found that could help?

Edited by Ronster, 16 June 2007 - 08:09 PM.

[Gengar003]

"Clipping Groups"
"Masks"
Color -> Transparent Gradients

Those three things can be used together to achieve the effect you want.

[Carbon]

Expanding on what gengar said, you could draw your "expanding light beams" on a new layer with the selection tool. Feather the edge of the selection, and then fill it with a transparent gradient going from white to no color. You can also turn on a transfer function for that layer, maybe something like hard light, causing the objects under that layer to be emphasized by that light ray.

Also, Filter : Render : Lighting is fun to play with, but it won't necessarily give you the 3D type of effect you're looking for.

[Ronster]

Sounds good.

But, keep in mind that I only have version 5.5...

It's not new, but it's gotten the job done for me so far.



For the new light rays, should I do like I did for the helmet and vector in part of the armor?
Would that look sharper?

[Carbon]

We're talking about basic Photoshop functions for the most part, nothing fancy, so you're fine. I had lighting effects way back in version 4, so you're good. Yeah, add some armor detail under the light, something for the beam to emphasize.

Version 5 was a good release...I think that was the one that added editable text layers.

Edited by Carbon, 16 June 2007 - 09:46 PM.

[Ronster]

Thanks for all your help Carbon and Gengar!
I'll post more progress pics when I get back to work!

[Ronster]

Progress on the upper arm armor.

[Gyrvalcon]

I think you're trying to do a "light-bloom" effect. Gabe, from Penny-Arcade, the webcomic, has a little video tutorial on his blog.

[Ronster]

I think you're trying to do a "light-bloom" effect. Gabe, from Penny-Arcade, the webcomic, has a little video tutorial on his blog.

That's almost exactly what I need!

This combined with Carbon and Gengar's advice brought me to this:







Anything else I should add to make this beauty perfect?
Maybe a bit of what I did to the arm to the helmet?

[Gyrvalcon]

It looks good. I'm rather partial anything pertaining to the Halo universe, so I'm also a tad biased.

Now I don't claim to be any-some-such lighting expert, but it looks like the helmet-light-beam has edges that are too well defined. Maybe soften or diffuse it as it goes further out. Also, why isn't the chestplate/shoulder-strap a silhouette? Where is the light source illluminating it?

Again, I like the way it's looking, and I look forward to seeing the finished piece.

P.S. - What's this poster for?

[Ronster]

Also, why isn't the chestplate/shoulder-strap a silhouette? Where is the light source illluminating it?

I wanted to do kinda like the first picture of the topic where some of the backlight would spill over onto the shoulder/arm piece.

What's this poster for?

One.

Two.

[Prometheus]

I know this is really off-topic, but I'm thinking Ronster is the go-too guy for this. I'm seeing some bits and pieces of the Spartans from the Halo Wars trailer. What generation of Spartans are they?

[ShadowSniper]

Sweet, another nerfer who frequents mjolnirarmor.com.

Back on topic, are you going to add color to it or leave it black/white?

[Ronster]

I know this is really off-topic, but I'm thinking Ronster is the go-too guy for this. I'm seeing some bits and pieces of the Spartans from the Halo Wars trailer. What generation of Spartans are they?

They are actually supposed to be Spartan II's in Mk. IV armor.
Which really bothers me 'cause it looks like a combo between Mk. V and VI, not a predecessor.

Sweet, another nerfer who frequents mjolnirarmor.com.

Back on topic, are you going to add color to it or leave it black/white?

I want to leave it black an white to keep a darker mood.



Any ideas for the text?
It's gotta say "Halo" on the bottom somewheres...

[Evil]

I'm a huge but extremely critical Halo fan, so don't mistake anything I say as "fan-boy" bullshit.

I'm also a huge movie fan and I must say you're idea for the poster is excellent, it is very grounded and not flashy at all - making it very different. Congrats on a great idea and good luck with the execution.