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Screen Saver (4) Comets

The first three (3) Tutorials are able to be used as stand-alone space images. The fourth (4) tutorial creates a .jpg comet image for animation. The series is created so that in the fifth (5) tutorial, using a Screen Saver Program, one is able to use these images to create a Screen Saver for use on their computers.

The fourth tutorial in a series used to create graphics for a space screen saver:

• Part 1 - Planets
• Part 2 - Rings
• Part 3 - Galaxies
• Part 4 - Comets (This Tutorial)
• Part 5 - The Screen Saver

Tip: Save your work using the .PSP format. (Convert the final image to .JPG)

Note: For the Screen Saver Tutorial, save the Galaxy Image as a JPG file with a BLACK background.

OVERVIEW: Creating Comets uses techniques to:

• Create a Comet using the Horizontal Perspective Deformation
• Duplicate it twice for three images
• Deform each image just a bit for variation
• Layer each image into a single three panel image
• Merge and Blur Image
• Save As a .jpg format for later animation in the Screen Saver Tutorial

Use COLORS PALETTE and set Colors:

• Colors:
  • Foreground = White (R255, G255, B255)
  • Background = Black (R0, G0, B0)
  • Lock = Checked
• Styles:
  • Foreground Color = Linear Gradient
        (Click on Right Arrow and select
         the Gradient Icon -- 2nd from left)
  • Background color = Solid
        (Click on Right Arrow and select
         The Paint Brush Icon -- Left Icon)
  • Click on Foreground Box for the Gradient Window
    • Style = Linear Gradient (Top Icon)
    • Angle = 270
    • Repeats = 0
    • Invert Gradient = Unchecked
• Textures:
  • Foreground Color = Texture
        (Click on Right Arrow and
         select Left Icon for 'Textures')
  • Click on Foreground Box for the Pattern window
    • Pattern = Fog
          (Click on Down Arrow for selections
           and click on FOG)
    • Click on OK
  • Background Color = Null
        (Click on Right Arrow and
         select Right Icon for 'Null')

Create a NEW CANVAS:

• Size = 300 x 100 pixels
• Color = Black Background
• Nu. of Colors = 16 Million

Use the FLOOD TOOL

• Blend Mode = Normal
• Match Mode = None
• Sample Merged = Unchecked

Left Click between 5 and 7 Times to fill the image with the Gradient Pattern.

Use EFFECTS || Geometric Effects || Perspective - Horizontal
       Set Value = 80 and then Click on OK.

Use FLOOD FILL with same settings and left click to fill image.
       Again, use between 5 - 7 left clicks.

Use EFFECTS || Geometric Effects || Perspective - Horizontal
       Repeat with same settings and Click on OK

Press SHIFT + D to create two additional copies of the image.

We will now apply slightly different deformations to each of the three images.

IMAGE1: Use EFFECTS || Geometric Effects || WAVE

• Horizontal Displacement:
  • Amplitude = 48
  • Wavelength = 35
• Vertical Displacement:
  • Amplitude = 22
  • Wavelength = 1

IMAGE2: Use EFFECTS || Geometric Effects || WAVE

• Horizontal Displacement:
  • Amplitude = 41
  • Wavelength = 48
• Vertical Displacement:
  • Amplitude = 22
  • Wavelength = 1

IMAGE3: Use EFFECTS || Geometric Effects || WAVE

• Horizontal Displacement:
  • Amplitude = 62
  • Wavelength = 51
• Vertical Displacement:
  • Amplitude = 22
  • Wavelength = 1

Create a NEW IMAGE: 300 x 300, Background = White, 16 Million Colors

If you do not see a GRID, Use VIEW || GRID and grid lines will appear in the white image. These lines are not a permanent part of the image. They serve as a guide to aid in the placement of our comet images.

We need to adjust these lines to help us place our images.

Use FILE || PREFERENCES || GENERAL PROGRAM PREFERENCES

Click on the TAB marked 'Rulers and Units' and In the Box Marked 'Grid' use these settings:

• Units = pixels
• Horizontal Spacing = 300
• Vertical Spacing = 100
• Line Color = Any color you like ;o) (I use Gray)
• Click on OK

Your image should now be divided into three rectangular areas, one above the next. If not, CLOSE the Image and Create a NEW IMAGE. These areas will hold the various panels you created.

Use the MOVER TOOL (Two Arrows Crossing)

Click on Image1

Use the LAYER PALETTE

• Click on the BACKGROUND Layer and hold down mouse button
• Drag and Drop the image onto the White image and this action will copy the comet image onto the White image as a new Layer.
• Using the Grid as a guide, Move the image into the top grid area.

Repeat the Drag and Drop Procedure twice more, first using Image2, then using Image3

Click on Image2

• Click on the BACKGROUND Layer and hold down mouse button
• Drag and Drop the image onto the White image and this action will copy the comet image onto the White image as a new Layer.
• Using the Grid as a guide, Move the image into the middle grid area.

Click on Image3

• Click on the BACKGROUND Layer and hold down mouse button
• Drag and Drop the image onto the White image and this action will copy the comet image onto the White image as a new Layer.
• Using the Grid as a guide, Move the image into the bottom grid area.

You may now close Image1, Image2 and Image3. If you wish, save them for future use.

Turn Off the Grid: VIEW || GRID

If any White Space appears between the images, use the mover tool to get rid of them by adjusting the particular image.

Use LAYERS || MERGE || MERGE ALL

Use EFFECTS || BLUR || MOTION BLUR

• Angle = 270
• Intensity = 40
• Click on OK

Use the AIR BRUSH TOOL (Spray Can)

• Shape = Round
• Size = 20 (Adjust so round image just fits right end of comet)
• Hardness = 0
• Opacity = 68
• Step = 25
• Density = 70

Use the AIRBRUSH to create a Bright Comet Head at the far right side of all three tails.

Use the ERASER TOOL (Pencil with eraser)

• Shape = Round
• Size = 7
• Hardness = 0
• Opacity = 50
• Step = 25
• Density = 50

Use the ERASER to round out the Comet Head of all three comets.

Use IMAGE || RESIZE IMAGE

• Percentage of Original = 50%
• Resize Type = Smart Size
• Resize All Layers = n/a
• Maintain Aspect Ratio Checked and set to 1 to 1

Hint: Use EFFECTS || SHARPEN || SHARPEN to sharpen the image somewhat.

SAVE image in .JPG Format with a BLACK background.

We will use this Paneled image to Create an Animation when we put our Screensaver together.

The Last Part of this series is to Create a SCREENSAVER.

-- Have Fun --