FrankenFan's Photoshop Fundamentals — Avatar Tutorial

[FrankenFan]

In this tutorial, we'll be building a basic animation featuring a simple pulse/glow effect.

We're going to learn to make these Iron Man avatars...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/FrankenFan/Iron%20Man%20Sig/im_avatar.gif http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9803/imavataraltpl7.gif

...using this image:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8053/imlo1.jpg

I chose this Iron Man image because it already contains some of the data readout text we added in the Iron Man sig tutorial (http://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31659), so it will nicely complement the sig, and be less work for us at the same time!

This tutorial is aimed at the beginning- to intermediate-level Photoshop user, and we'll be using the Pen and Rectangular Marquee tools, Layer Blending Modes, a Custom Brush, and the Animation palette to create our avatar.

I'm using Photoshop CS3, but I've tried to limit tools and commands retroactive to Photoshop 7. I'm also using a Mac, so Windows users should substitute all references to the Command Key (Mac) with the Control Key (PC), all references to the Option Key (Mac) to the Alt Key (Windows), and all references to the Delete Key (Mac) to the Backspace Key (Windows).

If I use a Command or Filter that is unavailable in your version of Photoshop, LMK and I'll try to suggest an alternative for you.

Note: If you're not using Photoshop CS3, you'll need to have a copy of ImageReady installed if you want to proceed with creating the animation beginning in Step 10. When Adobe acquired Macromedia, ImageReady got the boot in favor of the much more feature-rich Fireworks, and ImageReady's basic feature-set was added to Photoshop CS3's toolkit.

There are 17 steps in this lesson, so don't forget to save your work early and often!

Ready? Let's begin!

[FrankenFan]

Step 1

Open the im.jpg image in Photoshop, and Zoom-in (Space Command Click) to Iron Man's helmet lens on the left side of the image (his right lens). I zoomed-in 700%.

Select the Pen tool from the Tools bar and set up the Options bar to look like this:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6189/f01vq6.jpg

The Illustrator users among us will be very familiar with the Pen tool, but if you've never used it before, don't be intimidated by it. It's an essential tool and it's really easy to learn. In this lesson, you are going to create corner points, smooth curves, and convert a smooth curve to a corner point.

Click once with the Pen tool on the upper left corner (1) of the lens, and again on the lower left corner (2). You've just created two corner points.

Now click on the lower right corner (3) and drag out and up slightly to the right, to follow the curve of the bottom of the lens. Note: Do not release your mouse button! Click-hold-drag in one continuous motion!. You have now created a smooth curve.

Your Pen tool selection should look like this:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4843/f02hd0.jpg

Next, release your mouse button, and hold down the Option key to convert the Pen tool to the Convert Point tool. Note: You should see the forward slash to the right of the Pen tool icon change to an inverted "V" pointing slightly to the left.

Now click on point 3 again to convert it from a smooth curve to a corner point.

Next, click on the upper right corner (4) of the lens.

Finally, click and drag up and to the left on point 1 to follow the upper curve of the lens and close the path.

See? Easy!

Your completed Pen tool selection should now look like this:

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7419/f03po5.jpg

From the main Photoshop Menu, go to Windows>Paths to open the Paths palette. Double-click the Work Path path layer and rename it Lens Path.

Save your PSD document and name it im_avatar.psd.

[FrankenFan]

Step 2

Press Command Option 0 (zero) to view your image at actual size.

From the main Photoshop menu, go to Windows>Layers to open the Layers palette.

Press Command Shift N to open the New Layer dialog, name the layer Lens Glow, and press Enter to create a new layer above the background layer.

Next, select the Brush tool from the Tools palette and choose a 3-pixel brush with a Hardness of 100% from the Brushes palette.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2158/f03agw7.jpg

Now click the Set Foreground Color swatch on the Tools palette and enter the RGB values 0 174 239. Click OK to exit the Color Picker.

With the Lens Glow Layer active, go to the Paths palette, and click on the Lens Path path to select it, then click on the Stroke path with brush icon on the bottom of the palette (second icon from the left).

Click in the empty space under the Lens Path path to deselect it.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2615/f03bku2.jpg

Your im_avatar.psd file should look like this:

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2514/f04to9.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 3

With the Lens Glow layer active, click the FX icon on the bottom of the Layers palette and select Outer Glow from the pop-up.

Enter the settings shown, below, and click on the color swatch and enter the RGB values 0 174 239 in the Color Picker.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7452/f05mp8.jpg

Now change the Lens Glow layer's Blending Mode to Screen.

Your file and Layers palette should look like this:

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4861/f06lu7.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 4

Next, with the Lens Glow layer active, press Command J to duplicate it. Name this new layer Lens Pulse.

Your file and Layers palette should now look like this:

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/894/f07lp7.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 5

Press the letter D on your keyboard to set the foreground and background colors to their default black and white, then press X to change the foreground color to white.

Select Layer>New>Layer... from the main Photoshop menu to create a new, empty layer above the Lens Pulse layer. Name this layer Lens.

Return to the Paths palette, Click the Lens Path path to make it active, then click the Load path as a selection icon (third icon from the left) on the bottom of the Paths palette.

In the Layers palette, select the Lens layer, then press Option Delete on your keyboard to fill the selection with white. Alternately, from the main Photoshop menu, you can select Edit>Fill... to fill the selection.

Your file and palettes should look like this:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5015/f08ak8.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 6

We're now ready to reduce our image to the maximum 80 x 80-pixel dimensions the Draconian Darklord Dave has mandated for all avatars that dare to pass into his forbidden realm.

VERY IMPORTANT! If you want to create an avatar in which both lenses pulsate, go to File>Save As... in the main Photoshop menu and save a copy of your file in its current state under a new name, and repeat Steps 1-5 for Iron Man's other lens. I'm going to focus on one lens and crop the image.

Press Command Option I to open the Image Size dialog box and under Document Size change the measurements units pop-up to Percent and enter 75 for the the width and height. Click OK or press Enter to confirm your changes.

Press M to select the Rectangular Marquee tool, and enter the following settings in the Options bar:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6391/f09ag5.jpg

Click anywhere in the image to create the selection, and move it into place like this:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2537/f10ro1.jpg

From the main Photoshop menu, select Image>Crop.

Your file should now look like this:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3197/f11jj8.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 7

Next, double-click the Background to open the New Layer dialog and type IM in the name field. Click OK to convert the Background layer to a regular, editable layer.

With the new IM layer active, click the FX icon on the bottom of the Layers palette and choose Stroke... from the Blending Options... menu to open the Layer Styles dialog box. In the Size field, enter 1, from the Position pop-up, choose Inside, and for Fill Type: Color, click on the Color Swatch and enter 0 0 0 for the RGB values.

The cropped image is looking a little dark to me, and if you think so too, here's a quick trick to brighten a dark image: Select the Background layer and press Command J to duplicate the IM layer. Change its Blending Mode to Screen and adjust the Opacity of the layer to your liking. I reduced mine to 50%.

Your file and Layers palette should now look something like this:

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8909/f12zf2.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 8

We're almost ready to create the individual frames we need to animate our avatar, but first, we're going to create a Custom Brush to add some additional flair to our animation, by adding... a flare!

Custom brushes are a great way to create and archive graphical elements that you can use over and over again in your images, without having to go through the motions of creating them each time from scratch. And, if you create your original image for your custom brush at a large size, you then have the option to reduce its size to make your brush even more versatile.

Download and open the flare_brush.jpg image, below:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2137/flarebrushvm4.jpg

With the flare_brush.jpg file active, press Command A to select the entire canvas, then, from the main Photoshop menu, go to Edit>Define Brush Preset... and name the new brush Flare.

Your Options bar should now look like mine, below, and when you click on the Brush pop-up, your new Flare brush should be the last brush in the palette. Change the Master Diameter to 62 px.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1285/f13hd4.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 9

Next, create a new, empty layer above the Lens layer and name it Flare.

Check to see that your Foreground Color is still set to White, and click once on the the upper left corner of Iron Man's helmet lens with the Flare brush in the Flare layer.

Your file and layers palette should now look like this (I also added my board name by clicking on the Flare layer with the Type tool. I used a pale yellow color RGB 252 243 20 and set the Opacity to 40%.):

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/FrankenFan/Iron%20Man%20Sig/f14.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 10

OK. Now for the fun part — we're ready to animate this thing and then get on with our lives!

If you're using Photoshop CS3, select Window>Animation from the main Photoshop menu to open the Animation palette. If you are using an older version of Photoshop, open your file in ImageReady.

Note: All images of palettes, etc., in steps 10-16 are from Photoshop CS3, but are very similar to what you will see if you are working in ImageReady.

Click the Eye (Layer Visibility) icon next to the Flare, Lens, Lens Pulse, and Lens Glow layers to to toggle visibility off.

Your image, Animation and Layers palettes should look something like this:

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3438/f15zb6.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 11

Next, in the Animation palette, click the Duplicates selected frames icon on the bottom of the Animation palette (first icon to the left of the Trash icon on the bottom of the palette) to create a duplicate of the first frame.

In the Layers palette, click in the empty box next to the Lens and Lens Glow layers to toggle visibility back on.

Your image, Animation and Layers palettes should look like this:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/193/f16ub7.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 12

Next, return to the Animation palette, click the Duplicates selected frames icon again to create a duplicate of the second frame.

In the Layers palette, click in the empty box next to the Lens Pulse to toggle visibility back on.

Your image, Animation and Layers palettes should now look like this:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5349/f17lp2.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 13

In the Animation palette, click the Duplicates selected frames icon again to create a duplicate of the third frame.

In the Layers palette, click in the empty box next to the Flare to toggle visibility back on. All of your layers should now be visible.

Your image, Animation and Layers palettes should look like this:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5617/f18df0.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 14

In the Animation palette, click the Duplicates selected frames icon again to create a duplicate of the fourth frame.

In the Layers palette, click the Eye icon next to the Flare and Lens Pulse layers to turn them off.

Note: Frame 5 is a duplicate of frame 2. As an alternative to duplicating frame 4 to create frame 5, click on frame 2 to make it active, duplicate it, then click and drag it to the right of frame 4.

Your image, Animation and Layers palettes should look like this:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/FrankenFan/Iron%20Man%20Avatar/f19.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 15

With Frame 5 still selected, hold down the Shift key and Click on Frame 1 to select all of the frames in the animation.

Now Click on the Down Arrow next to 0 sec. in any frame and choose 0.2 sec. from the Selects frame delay time pop-up. The delay time for all of your frames should now be 0.2 seconds.

Your Animation palette should look like this:

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8479/f20dm4.jpg

[FrankenFan]

Step 16

Now let's fire this thing up and see what we've got!

Click on the Play button to preview the animation. The Animation palette should begin to cycle through the individual frames, and you should be able to observe the results in your Photoshop file.

Here's another look at the finished avatars:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/FrankenFan/Iron%20Man%20Sig/im_avatar.gif http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9803/imavataraltpl7.gif

Experiment with different frame delay times and adding and deleting frames to see how it affects your animation. Be mindful of file size, however. The more frames you add, the larger your file becomes, and the longer it takes to download; You want people to easily see and enjoy your work, not be frustrated by lengthy download times. Try to keep your frame count to a minimum; You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with just a handful of frames. After all, it's an animated GIF, not a Pixar feature. We managed to create a fairly realistic pulse/glow effect with only five frames and brought the weight of the file in at under 13K.

[FrankenFan]

Step 17

Finally, we need to save our finished animation for the Web.

If you are using Photoshop CS3:

From the main Photoshop menu, go to File>Save For Web & Devices..., and enter the following settings in the dialog box:

Note: You can preview your animation in your browser by clicking the Globe/? icon on the bottom of the dialog box, or preview it in the dialog, itself, by using the playback buttons under the color table.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/640/f21xi9.jpg

If you are using ImageReady:

Your file and Options palette settings should look something like this:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8177/f22dz0.jpg

From the main ImageReady menu, go to File>Save Optimized As... and name and save your file to your hard drive.

[FrankenFan]

Well, that's all for this lesson; I hope you found this tutorial fun as well as informative!

Please let me know what you though of this session by posting your comments in this thread, and, if you come across any typos or other errors or keyboard/menu commands that don't work in Windows, LMK and I'll fix 'em ASAP!

Happy Photoshopping! :duff

[carbo-fation]

Silly question but do I open the Iron Man image using Photoshop or Imageready?

[FrankenFan]

Silly question but do I open the Iron Man image using Photoshop or Imageready?
That's a good question, carbo!

First open the the Iron Man image in Photoshop, then switch to ImageReady in Step 10 to create the animation.

I've added that distinction to Step 1. Thanks for pointing that out!

[carbo-fation]

Thanks FrankenFan! Now let the training begin.:D

[FrankenFan]

Thanks FrankenFan! Now let the training begin.:D
Keep us apprised of your progress!

[carbo-fation]

Another question, step 5 it says to go to Option Delete in the layers section but I can't find that option. Unless it's the one with the trashcan symbol that says delete layer.

[FrankenFan]

Another question, step 5 it says to go to Option Delete in the layers section but I can't find that option. Unless it's the one with the trashcan symbol that says delete layer.
Step 5 reads:
...press Option Delete to fill the selection with white.

In other words, on your keyboard, press the Option key, then the Delete key, to fill the selection with the foreground color.

Alternately, from the main Photoshop menu, you can select Edit>Fill... to fill the selection.

And, don't click the Trash can icon, because, as advertised, it will delete your layer!

I edited the entry; Hope that clears things up!

[carbo-fation]

Thank you, FrankenFan. I forgot that you are using a Mac.

[FrankenFan]

Thank you, FrankenFan. I forgot that you are using a Mac.
Is the Option-Delete keyboard command invalid in Windows for filling a foreground selection with color?

I'm hopelessly addicted to keyboard commands, they save me a ton of time. But if the key combinations I'm specifying are not working in Windows, LMK and I'll add the corresponding menu item. I'd like to make the tutorials accessible to as many users as possible, so don't be shy to point out something that is not working for you, or any instructions that are hard to follow.

As a Mac user, I know what it's like to be marginalized and left out!

[carbo-fation]

Is the Option-Delete keyboard command invalid in Windows for filling a foreground selection with color?

I'm hopelessly addicted to keyboard commands, they save me a ton of time. But if the key combinations I'm specifying are not working in Windows, LMK and I'll add the corresponding menu item. I'd like to make the tutorials accessible to as many users as possible, so don't be shy to point out something that is not working for you, or any instructions that are hard to follow.

As a Mac user, I know what it's like to be marginalized and left out!

The option-delete (Alt + delete) works for the PC. I just wasn't able to figure it out fast enough.:o

Here's is my result:
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/8323/imavatarzn1.gif

Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial. I'll def. try out other possibilities with it. I still have to try out your signature tutorial but I am sure it'll be as great as this one. By the way, I was using Photoshop CS2 and I didn't have to use ImageReady. I simply followed the instructions for CS3 (window--> animation) and everything else worked just as well. Thanks again FrankenFan.:rock

[FrankenFan]

The option-delete (Alt + delete) works for the PC. I just wasn't able to figure it out fast enough.:o

Here's is my result:
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/8323/imavatarzn1.gif

Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial. I'll def. try out other possibilities with it. I still have to try out your signature tutorial but I am sure it'll be as great as this one. By the way, I was using Photoshop CS2 and I didn't have to use ImageReady. I simply followed the instructions for CS3 (window--> animation) and everything else worked just as well. Thanks again FrankenFan.:rock
Good job, carbo! Glad you had fun with it!

When I looked at your GIF, I noticed that frames 2, 3, and 5 are identical. It appears you may have missed a step and did not turn on the Lens Pulse layer in frames 3 and 4, which is why your animation appears to stop right before the flare.

Yours: http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/8323/imavatarzn1.gif Mine: http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/FrankenFan/Iron%20Man%20Sig/im_avatar.gif

See the difference?

Yes, ImageReady is readily accessible if you are using Photoshop CS or CS2. IIRC, there's an "edit in ImageReady" icon on the bottom of the Photoshop tool palette, that when clicked, launches IR.

And, thank you for helping me out in clarifying some of my instructions. I'll make a note of the Alt Delete Windows key command and add it to the tut!

[carbo-fation]

I see the difference but I can't seem to figure out how to fix it. I have Lens Pulse turned on in steps 3 and 4, it's just doesn't look any different.:confused:

[FrankenFan]

I see the difference but I can't seem to figure out how to fix it. I have Lens Pulse turned on in steps 3 and 4, it's just doesn't look any different.:confused:
Cool new Balrog avatar, carbo!

Hmm. I see the same "blink-pause-flare, blink-pause-flare" action your Iron Man avatar has. And when I look at the individual frames, I see frames 2, 3, and 5 are identical, same as the Iron Man avatar.

So: You either have all of the layers on except the Flare layer in Frames 2, 3, and 4, or you are not turning the Lens Pulse layer on in Frames 3 and 4. I think. Maybe. I dunno. :dunno

When we duplicated the Lens Glow layer and renamed it Lens Pulse, we did it to intensify the effect of the Lens Glow layer. Basically, the semi-transparent pixels in each layer combine to make the glow effect stronger.

You can see the difference in this animation of Steps 3 and 4:

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/6935/imgpvi2.gif

So to recap the Frame/Layer configurations:

Frame 1:
On: IM, IM copy, (your name)
Off: Lens Glow, Lens Pulse, Lens, Flare

Frame 2:
On: On: IM, IM copy, Lens Glow, Lens, (your name)
Off: Lens Pulse, Flare

Frame 3:
On: IM, IM copy, Lens Glow, Lens Pulse, Lens, (your name)
Off: Flare

Frame 4:
On: All layers

Frame 5 (Duplicate of Frame 2):
On: On: IM, IM copy, Lens Glow, Lens, (your name)
Off: Lens Pulse, Flare

Here's my version of your Balrog avatar:

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/9269/balrogrvsdem7.gif

For this one, I stroked the path with red, changed the glow color to red, and changed the pulse color to yellow:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/334/balrogrvsdblk0.gif

Hope this helps!

[lcummins]

I can't wait to try and make a new avatar! I have never really found an avatar that really suited me, so I am going to try and make a new one (and a new sig) this week! Thanks for these tutorials Kurt!!!

[King Darkness]

Man, I wish I had photoshop.

Its so cool that you are taking the time to do these Frank!

[FrankenFan]

I can't wait to try and make a new avatar! I have never really found an avatar that really suited me, so I am going to try and make a new one (and a new sig) this week! Thanks for these tutorials Kurt!!!

Looking forward to seeing what, exactly, suits you! It might also be the perfect opportunity to capitalize that lower-case "l" and "c" in your user-name, mr. icummins! ;)

Man, I wish I had photoshop.

Its so cool that you are taking the time to do these Frank!

Thanks, King; I wish you could play along! :monkey2

Have you checked out GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/)? Lots of folks use it as an alternative. Best of all, it's completely free of charge!

If you are a Mac-user, here are two other apps you may want to investigate. They're not free like GIMP, but they are very low-cost alternatives:

Pixelmator (http://www.pixelmator.com/) Your can download a free, trial copy.

GraphicConverter (http://www.lemkesoft.com/xd/public/content/index._cGlkPTE5Mw_.html) GraphicConverter is shareware, and you can test-drive it without obligation and free of charge.

[lcummins]

Looking forward to seeing what, exactly, suits you! It might also be the perfect opportunity to capitalize that lower-case "l" and "c" in your user-name, mr. icummins! ;)


I know... I've thought about getting Dave to change it to at least a capital L, but only a few people have mistaken it for an "i". :lol

As for what suits me, I'm not sure myself. I have a lot of different interests, but most likely it will end up as something Universal related. :D

[carbo-fation]

Cool new Balrog avatar, carbo!

Hmm. I see the same "blink-pause-flare, blink-pause-flare" action your Iron Man avatar has. And when I look at the individual frames, I see frames 2, 3, and 5 are identical, same as the Iron Man avatar.

So: You either have all of the layers on except the Flare layer in Frames 2, 3, and 4, or you are not turning the Lens Pulse layer on in Frames 3 and 4. I think. Maybe. I dunno. :dunno

When we duplicated the Lens Glow layer and renamed it Lens Pulse, we did it to intensify the effect of the Lens Glow layer. Basically, the semi-transparent pixels in each layer combine to make the glow effect stronger.

You can see the difference in this animation of Steps 3 and 4:

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/6935/imgpvi2.gif

So to recap the Frame/Layer configurations:

Frame 1:
On: IM, IM copy, (your name)
Off: Lens Glow, Lens Pulse, Lens, Flare

Frame 2:
On: On: IM, IM copy, Lens Glow, Lens, (your name)
Off: Lens Pulse, Flare

Frame 3:
On: IM, IM copy, Lens Glow, Lens Pulse, Lens, (your name)
Off: Flare

Frame 4:
On: All layers

Frame 5 (Duplicate of Frame 2):
On: On: IM, IM copy, Lens Glow, Lens, (your name)
Off: Lens Pulse, Flare

Here's my version of your Balrog avatar:

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/9269/balrogrvsdem7.gif

For this one, I stroked the path with red, changed the glow color to red, and changed the pulse color to yellow:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/334/balrogrvsdblk0.gif

Hope this helps!

Hmm....it appears that I might be doing something wrong in the Lens Pulse step itself. I'll try it again tonight and see if anything changes. Thanks for the upgraded Balrog image. I was having trouble with the right color, so I'll definitely need more practice with it.

By the way, I was looking at some Photoshop books on amazon and came across these three:

http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Bible-Laurie-Ulrich-Fuller/dp/0764589725/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-Classroom-Book/dp/0321321847/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-One-One/dp/0596100965/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-5

Do you know which one are better suited for a complete novice such myself? Any help would be appreciated.:)

[MaulFan]

Hmm....it appears that I might be doing something wrong in the Lens Pulse step itself. I'll try it again tonight and see if anything changes. Thanks for the upgraded Balrog image. I was having trouble with the right color, so I'll definitely need more practice with it.

By the way, I was looking at some Photoshop books on amazon and came across these three:

http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Bible-Laurie-Ulrich-Fuller/dp/0764589725/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-Classroom-Book/dp/0321321847/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-One-One/dp/0596100965/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-5

Do you know which one are better suited for a complete novice such myself? Any help would be appreciated.:)

I'm not familiar with any of those books, but if they still publish them, PHOTOSHOP WOW books are very easily to follow. Best option is to walk into a Barnes & Noble or some bookstore and look at the book. The best ones do like FrankenFan is doing here with images of the programs windows as well as the actual artwork, that way you can verify that what you're doing on your PC is correct when you look at the pictures instead of just written instruction.

Another well constructed lesson FF.

[FrankenFan]

Hmm....it appears that I might be doing something wrong in the Lens Pulse step itself. I'll try it again tonight and see if anything changes. Thanks for the upgraded Balrog image. I was having trouble with the right color, so I'll definitely need more practice with it.

By the way, I was looking at some Photoshop books on amazon and came across these three:

http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Bible-Laurie-Ulrich-Fuller/dp/0764589725/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-Classroom-Book/dp/0321321847/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-One-One/dp/0596100965/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206980464&sr=1-5

Do you know which one are better suited for a complete novice such myself? Any help would be appreciated.:)

Yeah. I'm likin' that Lens Pulse as the perp. Keep us apprised!

I've fallen behind in my book-learnin' in recent years, but I am familiar with earlier editions of two of the books you are considering:

The Bible book is very comprehensive, covering virtually every aspect of the application, but the sheer volume of material might be daunting for a novice. But, definitely keep it on your short-list!

I personally don't care for the Classroom series, but that's just my opinion.

Anything by Deke McClelland or Scott Kelby is usually worth looking into, and you should check out the Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-CS2-Dummies-Computer-Tech/dp/0764595717/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206984242&sr=1-3) book, too.

The WOW! (http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-CS2-Wow-Book-WOW/dp/0321213459/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206984437&sr=1-1) books are fun, but tend to focus more on creating specific images and effects, rather than presenting a total overview of the app. Kinda like my tutorials on steroids. :lol

MaulFan gave some excellent advice: Go to a bookstore, grab a handful of titles, and sit down and explore them. Pick one with an inviting and easy-to-understand writing style, and as MaulFan also said, try to find one with lots of screen caps.

Good luck! When you make your decision, be sure to post the title of the book you settled on, and let us know what you think of it!

I'm not familiar with any of those books, but if they still publish them, PHOTOSHOP WOW books are very easily to follow. Best option is to walk into a Barnes & Noble or some bookstore and look at the book. The best ones do like FrankenFan is doing here with images of the programs windows as well as the actual artwork, that way you can verify that what you're doing on your PC is correct when you look at the pictures instead of just written instruction.

Another well constructed lesson FF.
Thanks, MaulFan. Glad you are enjoying them!

[FrankenFan]

I know... I've thought about getting Dave to change it to at least a capital L, but only a few people have mistaken it for an "i". :lol

As for what suits me, I'm not sure myself. I have a lot of different interests, but most likely it will end up as something Universal related. :D
That's the brand I most closely associate with you, but I know you collect many other lines.

Maybe you should adopt Chaney, Jr's nickname: "The Lonster."

:lol

[lcummins]

That's the brand I most closely associate with you, but I know you collect many other lines.

Maybe you should adopt Chaney, Jr's nickname: "The Lonster."

:lol


Actually... a few people at work have called me that over the years, including the Boss! :rotfl

[urbanfreddy]

this is great i learned something new:chew

[Shropt]

this is great i learned something new:chew

A worthy necro. This should be stickied somewhere along with the lightsaber tutorial.

[laudel7]

Anyone any ideas how I use a gif as an avatar :dunno