Flamin' Skullz
Today we are going to make the Flamin' Skullz from the Home page of our website.
www.auroragraphics.net/home
For this tutorial we will be working in Adobe Photoshop
and using Aurora Graphics Digital Skullz and Digital Firestorm.
For this tutorial I would suggest practicing on scaled down images so you
can learn the steps without any waiting.
(Digital Skullz on DVD are not watermarked)
To begin we will open up the "Pile O Skullz" from the Skull
Piles folder.
Copy and paste this into a document large enough for the side of the vehicle you
are
going to do or paste it on to a template.
Click picture for larger view
The next step is to position the pile low in the image so it
appears to be in the foreground
and duplicate the pile. You may repeat this process of paste and position or you
can use a quicker method.
This would be to hold down the alt key while using the pointer or "Move" tool
and simply click and drag out new copies.
Click picture for larger view
Now we have a nice pile started. In order to speed up the
duplication process
we will merge the layers of skullz together and while holding the alt key click
and drag out a copy.
This will need to be moved behind the first layer and shrunk down. The Idea is
to shrink them enough
to fool the eye into thinking they are further back in the scene.
Click picture for larger view
Now we will position them to the back and down low enough to
give the illusion of depth and piles.
Repeat this process until the skullz are almost too small to be recognized.
Click picture for larger view
This pile is fairly flat but as you can see the pile can be any shape or size.
Click picture for larger view
Now we will merge all of the skull layers together and open a
Bonus Flame from the Digital Firestorm.
Copy and paste the flame into our pile of skullz window.
Click picture for larger view
As you can see I have used a soft edged brush to erase the
hard edge from the
bottom of the flame. Next we will go to our layers palette in Photoshop and
change the blending option from normal to screen.
Click picture for larger view
This blending option will allow the black from the image to
fall off and let
whatever is behind it show through. The next step is to duplicate the layer by
clicking and dragging
with the move tool while holding down the alt key. Your image should look
something like this.
If you don't want the flames falling off the top of the image you may need to
shrink them down a bit.
Click picture for larger view
Next I merged the flames together and made sure to return them
to screen mode.
Now you can turn off the flames layer and select the skullz layer. We are going
to add color
to the skullz using the color balance technique. Color balance is located under
Image/Adjustments.
Use the following settings for this step.
Click picture for larger view
Now when you turn the flames layer back on you should have a
nice glowing hot Pile O Skullz.
Try using different positioning of the Skullz
to get something that more fits the vehicle in question.
I have also chosen the Grim Reaper in the center as a focal point for the image.
There are several different Decorative Skullz available to choose from.
Click picture for larger view
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.
If you have suggestions or comments please email them to:
email:
sales@auroragraphics.net
Grant Dorsey