Background collage secrets Part 5
High Tech Shapes - Photoshop Tutorial
This week we are going to look at creating the high tech interface type shapes we are seeing everywhere. You will find this very useful and use it over and over again.
INGREDIENTS
by Colin Smith
PART 5
Click
to download Wallpaper
We are about to embark
on a 6-part voyage that will teach you how to create the high-tech multilayer
backgrounds that make you go "wow". This is probably the most
requested tutorial that I have been asked to write. I put it off because
there are so many steps. At the end of part 6 you will have created the
BG you see on the right. Download it and use it for your screen wallpaper
if you desire.
At the end of this tutorial you will have completed the image to the right. This will be the base of the collage. Substitute a different image if you wish. At the end of 6 weeks you will be able to adapt these techniques and produce stunning backgrounds of your own. Because of the steps involved, these tutorials are going to take on a slightly faster pace than we are used to.
This series is
the first of our new "Super Tutorials"
6-week Curriculum
1:
BG Prep Grids, Blur and scanlines
2: shapes and text
3: blended clouds
4: 3D text
5: High Tech Shapes
6: Tiny
Paragraph text
1
Create a new layer.
Change the blending mode to "color"
(This is just a matter of personal choice for this project, you could
use any mode you liked, depending on the result you are looking for.)
2
Here is the big secret to these shapes: Select the polygon
lasso tool. This tool draws straight lines between your clicks.
3
The trick is to hold the shift key. This will constrain the angles to multiples
of 45 deg. Click and klikc and click and...
Finally when you get back to your point of origin, you will see a little
circle, indicating that you are at the start point. Click and the entire
shape will become a selection.
4
Now select your foreground color. I chose a flesh tone.
(Open the color picker by clicking on the swatch at the
bottom of the toolbar)
Fill the shape with the forground color. Alt/Option+delete
Do not deselect yet!
5
Create a new layer by clicking on the new layer icon.
6
Now for an outline. Edit>stroke and enter the settings.
7
Thats it! Use this technique for your designs and interfaces.
I hope you are enjoyinh it so far.
Next week we will wrap up the super tutorial with tiny text.