Thread: Ask Me about Photoshop!

If and how is Photoshop better than Paint.NET?

Lëzen - I don't know of any way to compare Photoshop to Paintshop Pro. I recommend targeting your search keyphrases to include "Paintshop Pro" (in quotes) or -photoshop.

LRT - I wouldn't know, I use a Mac.

Tell me about subtlety of lighting in pixel elements. One-pixel highlights, carefully colored shadows, sure, but any other tips?

Originally Posted by Man of Steel

Tell me about subtlety of lighting in pixel elements. One-pixel highlights, carefully colored shadows, sure, but any other tips?

That's a pretty vague question. What are you trying to achieve?

Realistic lighting in three-dimensional web design elements, in short.

How would you go about turning a regular picture *See Below*




Into a high quality cartoon pic as shown? *See Below*

Originally Posted by Jorge

How would you go about turning a regular picture... Into a high quality cartoon pic as shown?

I would open the image in Photoshop and create a new layer, then on this new layer, use the pen tool to trace the outlines that you want to keep. Once you're happy with your outlines, stroke them by right clicking the path with the pen tool and selecting "stroke path>brush", or hovering over the path with your brush of choice and hitting "enter". Note: It can be helpful to stroke one path at a time and delete them as you go - this will allow you to select a different stroke for each line (the stroke is equivalent to the brush settings you have selected), and will keep your work area less cluttered.

I would then create various layers beneath the outline layer, one for each color - keeping the colors on different layers makes them way easier to change at any point. It is helpful to group all of your color layers together.

Sometimes this effect can be achieved well enough by duplicating your original image layer, removing the background, and applying filter>artistic>cutout, or image>adjustments>posterize (the filter settings will vary depending on image size, color depth, and resolution - play around with them to find what looks best), and keeping the outline layer on top... but I find more often than not it looks better to just suck it up and take your time doing it by hand.

If you have any further questions or would like more detailed instructions on any step, let me know!


Important: I would finish up by NOT posting a link to "cartoonify yourself" on my thread. Apologies if this wasn't your intention - shame on you if it was!

Originally Posted by Man of Steel

Realistic lighting in three-dimensional web design elements, in short.

When I design for web, I almost always use various combinations of layer styles to achieve cohesive, easy-to-duplicate lighting and 3d effects - but not knowing how you're constructing your elements or what look you're going for, I'm really not sure what information would be most helpful to you!

Details would really be helpful - images even more so! If you don't want to post your web-design images on the thread, I understand - PM me and we can find a way to work around it

Thanks buddy!

Also, how would I make a custom shaped banner like shown below?




See how it bends towards the right? How would I make an image like that in photoshop? I've made banners, but they've been square or rounded square. Not sure how to make custom shapes like that.

Sorry to bug. =/