Creating Planets
Created by: ZuAtHome @2000

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 first tutorial in a series used to create graphics for a space screen saver:
(The tutorial is written for version 6 as version 5 does not have similar features.)

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

Note: For the Screen Saver Tutorial, save the Stary Background as a separate JPEG file. And, Save the Planet as a GIF file using a transparent background.

OVERVIEW: Creating Planets uses techniques to:

• Create a Background of a Star Field
• Create a Circle for the Planet
• Enhance the Circle with Color and Texture
• Shadow the Circle for a 3-D Effect
• Blur it to look like a Planet in Night Sky

Begin with a New Canvas: 300x300 pixels, black background, 16 million colors

Create a 'Starfield Background'

• Create a Star Field background using NOISE:
    IMAGE || NOISE || ADD;
    Noise = 10%, Random = Checked
• To change the density of the Starfield, increase Noise percentage for more and decrease Noise percentage for less stars.

TIP: Adding Brilliance to the Star Field.

• In the LAYER PALETTE, right click on the layer.
• Select: New Adjustment Layer || Brightness/Contrast
    Set Brightness = 60
    Set Contrast = 80
• Click on OK
• Use LAYERS || MERGE || MERGE ALL to create a single layer.

The stars are too colorful to be realistic. Use COLORIZE to tone them down.

• In the Layer Palette, Highlight LAYER 1
• Use: COLORS || COLORIZE
• Hue = 185, Saturation = 30
• Click on OK

Create a New Layer for the Planet.

• Click on the New Layer button.
• Name it "planet"
• Click OK.

Create Planet - Step 1 - Use the SELECTION TOOL.

Create a circular selection in the middle of your image. Size may vary, but don't make it too tiny or fill up the entire canvas.
DO NOT DESELECT!

• Highlight the Planet Layer
• Use the SELECTION TOOL
    Selection Type = Circle
    Feather = 0
    Antialias = Checked

Create Planet - Step 2 - Use the FLOOD FILL TOOL.

Set COLOR PALETTE:

• Foreground = Wedgewood blue (R86, G116, B146),
• Background = White (R266, G255, B255)

Create Planet - Step 3 - FLOOD FILL With a Texture.

Create Planet

• Use the Tool Options - Flood Fill and Change the Paper Texture.
• Change Paper Texture to Terrain by Clicking on the Down Arrow and highlighting 'Terrain'.
• Leave other settings the same.
• Left Click to fill selection with a Blue Texture for a Cloud-Like Effect. DO NOT DESELECT

MERGE all Layers: LAYERS || MERGE || MERGE ALL (flatten).
DO NOT DESELECT

Create a Shadow Effect on Planet

• First, Increase the Selection by 2 pixels:
     Use SELECTIONS || MODIFY || EXPAND SELECTION.
     Value = 2
     Click on OK

• Next, Set the Shadow using CUTOUT:
       IMAGE || EFFECTS || CUTOUT
       Fill Interior with Color = Unchecked
       Interior Color = n/a
       Shadow Color = Black
       Opacity = 100
       Blur = 25
       Vertical = -15
       Horizontal = 15
       Click OK
  DO NOT DESELECT

Final Step: BLUR the Image

Use: IMAGE || BLUR || BLUR MORE

Deselect the Selection: (CTRL + D)

For Variation, try different colors, textures and cutout settings. There are unlimited options for creating a 'planet' in the night sky.

Create a "Moon" using these settings:

• Paper Texture = Sponge
• Foreground Color = (R170, G146, B124)
• Background Color = Black (R0, G0, B0)
• Cutout Vertical & Horizontal = 30
• All other steps are the same

Create a "Red/Orange Planet" using these settings:

• Paper Texture = Tree Bark
• Foreground Color = (R251, G162, B67)
• Background Color = (R128, G0, B0)
• Rotate the Selection 90 degrees before applying the Cutout Effect: IMAGE || ROTATE , Direction = Left or Right , Degrees = 90
• All other steps are the same

Next in the series is to add RINGS to a planet.