AnnaKirsten
9th January 2006, 13:03
What I usually do is to export a flame that I like in both PNG (*will explain further down about this) and Jpeg formats, at 1024 pixels on the highest settings (100 for a Jpeg) from Apophysis. I also ensure that my screen in Apophysis itself is set at about 30 for clarity, as this does IMO make quite a difference to the eventual outcome!
Then I open the Jpeg up in PSP and, as in the case of my Magnetic Storm (in the MM challenge gallery HERE (http://www.innertraveler.com/publicgallery/showphoto.php?photo=21965&cat=625&page=1) ).
I then open up another suitable picture or photo, paste it into a new layer over the flame, make it slightly transparent for now, in Layer Properties, in order to see where it is in relation to the flame, then I use the Mover tool to move the image to the right position.
Next, proceed to shape up the edges so that they are looking as though that's where they are supposed to finish (such as, if there are trees at the top, then obviously you don't want a straight cut edge above them, so I erase what I don't want, then use the push tool to roughly outline the edging.
Next, I try different layer properties, such as Multiply, Luminance, Hard Light, Overlay, or whatever will give the best colour results for blending the picture into the flame - difference and exclusion, or burn are also very interesting for different effects!
Having done that, the next step is to use the paint tool on a very fine setting, (pressure sensitive for the pen-mouse if you have one), and start using the colours in the image to paint in extra detail. (Get the colours you want by using the eye-dropper tool and press Control at the same time.)
Sometimes I follow this up by using the push tool on size 2 just to blend where I've painted, but this isn't always necessary.
Having got the effect I want, I then save the file as a TIFF (this gives IMO the best quality image to go on working with) which is merged flat, but I also save it as a PSP imgage too, in case I want to go back to any of the preliminary stuff. As you keep saving there is a tendency to lose small amounts of information from the pixels, esp. in jpeg format, but this is minimized in TIFF format.
You can then proceed to use filters, paper textures, whatever else you want to do, add a frame, signture, and so on. You might even want to add other flames, or other images onto what you already have, blending them in similar manner, just generally experimenting!
*PNG files, as you may know, are transparent. This means you can use the PNG flame you originally made over another flame or image, or even sandwitch something between the original jpeg file and the PNG form of it - but be aware that this immediately gives the effect of thickening the original flame! Also you must make sure that they are both saved in exactly the same size, or you will get fuzzy edges! Again, though, you can get interesting results by using the original jpeg and png, by changing the layer properties of the overlaid png flame!
Experiment and have loads of fun!
And.. Remember to save your image into jpeg format before uploading!
Then I open the Jpeg up in PSP and, as in the case of my Magnetic Storm (in the MM challenge gallery HERE (http://www.innertraveler.com/publicgallery/showphoto.php?photo=21965&cat=625&page=1) ).
I then open up another suitable picture or photo, paste it into a new layer over the flame, make it slightly transparent for now, in Layer Properties, in order to see where it is in relation to the flame, then I use the Mover tool to move the image to the right position.
Next, proceed to shape up the edges so that they are looking as though that's where they are supposed to finish (such as, if there are trees at the top, then obviously you don't want a straight cut edge above them, so I erase what I don't want, then use the push tool to roughly outline the edging.
Next, I try different layer properties, such as Multiply, Luminance, Hard Light, Overlay, or whatever will give the best colour results for blending the picture into the flame - difference and exclusion, or burn are also very interesting for different effects!
Having done that, the next step is to use the paint tool on a very fine setting, (pressure sensitive for the pen-mouse if you have one), and start using the colours in the image to paint in extra detail. (Get the colours you want by using the eye-dropper tool and press Control at the same time.)
Sometimes I follow this up by using the push tool on size 2 just to blend where I've painted, but this isn't always necessary.
Having got the effect I want, I then save the file as a TIFF (this gives IMO the best quality image to go on working with) which is merged flat, but I also save it as a PSP imgage too, in case I want to go back to any of the preliminary stuff. As you keep saving there is a tendency to lose small amounts of information from the pixels, esp. in jpeg format, but this is minimized in TIFF format.
You can then proceed to use filters, paper textures, whatever else you want to do, add a frame, signture, and so on. You might even want to add other flames, or other images onto what you already have, blending them in similar manner, just generally experimenting!
*PNG files, as you may know, are transparent. This means you can use the PNG flame you originally made over another flame or image, or even sandwitch something between the original jpeg file and the PNG form of it - but be aware that this immediately gives the effect of thickening the original flame! Also you must make sure that they are both saved in exactly the same size, or you will get fuzzy edges! Again, though, you can get interesting results by using the original jpeg and png, by changing the layer properties of the overlaid png flame!
Experiment and have loads of fun!
And.. Remember to save your image into jpeg format before uploading!