Getting Started with 3D in Photoshop

Create a Stunning 3D Composition

In this unique workshop, digital artist Uli Staiger walks you through the process of using source images, a downloaded 3D object, and Photoshop’s tools to create a striking composition. After combining source images and creating layer masks, you’ll add a 3D object, lighting, and details like steam, corrosion, and a stream of water. Finally, you’ll stylize the composition by adding a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with the Soft Light blend mode. Along the way you’ll learn how to work with layer groups, textures, 3D cameras, point lights, and more. Select lessons feature picture-in-picture live footage of Uli working with his pen and tablet, enabling you to see and learn from his techniques up close.

Trainer: Uli Staiger

Publication date: Nov 9, 2011

$29.99

Duration: 1 hr 20 min

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Welcome to Getting Started with 3D in Photoshop

In this workshop we'll use some source images, a downloaded 3D object, and Photoshop's tools to create a striking composition. This chapter gets the process underway - we'll have a look at the source images, then open a couple of them and create some layer masks.

First Steps
- In this video we'll have a look at some of the source images that we'll be using to create the composition in this course.
  
  Looking at the Source Images
  
  01:37
- We'll begin the process of creating our composition in this video. We'll combine two images as separate layers, then duplicate one of the layers and create a mask to hide the parts of the duplicate we don't want.
  
  Beginning the Composition
  
  04:57
- Our composition now has two layers that contain the same image, but we want to use them for different purposes. In this video we'll create a couple of layer masks to hide and show certain parts of each one.
  
  Creating Layer Masks
  
  03:06
In this chapter we'll walk through the process of finding, downloading, and positioning the 3D object in our composition. We'll also make changes to the 3D preferences and the 3D camera's lens.

Adding a 3D Object
- In this video we'll make some important preparations for the rest of this project. We'll put all our existing layers into a layer group and make some changes to Photoshop's 3D preferences.
  
  Creating a Layer Group and Changing the 3D Preferences
  
  02:53
- To complete this composition we will need the 3D model of the faucet, which is not supplied with the course. In this video you'll see how to find this model on the Internet and download it.
  
  Downloading the Faucet
  
  04:11
- The 3D faucet object can be positioned either with Photoshop's 3D tools or with the 3D axis. You'll see how both of these work in this video.
  
  Positioning the Faucet
  
  05:03
- In this video we'll change the 3D camera's lens to a wide-angle lens so the perspectives of the 2D and 3D layers match.
  
  Adapting the Camera's Focal Length
  
  04:14
The 3D object that we imported in the previous chapter is just a starting point. In this chapter we'll make some changes to its textures and lights, then render it.

Customizing and Rendering the 3D Object
- The texture of our faucet could use some improving. In this video we'll create a PSD file that will serve as the new texture.
  
  Using a PSD as a Texture
  
  05:43
- In this video we'll customize the surface texture of the faucet by creating a bumpmap to make it look rougher.
  
  Changing the Surface
  
  05:12
- In order to look like real metal, the brass of the faucet needs to reflect its surroundings. In this video we'll use the submarine.psd image to add the reflections we need.
  
  Adding Reflections
  
  04:11
- Colored metal like brass reflects specular light in the color of the metal itself. In this video we'll change the specular light in the 3D (Materials) panel to make the faucet look more natural.
  
  Changing the Specular Light
  
  03:02
- Photoshop always uses two infinite lights to light a 3D object. In this video we'll change their properties so the lighting of the faucet matches the lighting of the submarine.
  
  Adjusting the Infinite Lights
  
  05:02
- Adding a point light will cause more reflections on the metal surface and make the brass look more real, as you'll see in this video.
  
  Adding a Point Light
  
  02:43
- Now that we have made all the changes we want to our 3D object, in this video we will render it. This smoothes the edges and makes shadows appear.
  
  Rendering the 3D Object
  
  03:55
At this point our composition is in good shape but still a bit lifeless. In this chapter we'll make some additions and adjustments to add energy to the image.

Final Details
- We still need to make a couple of small adjustments to make the faucet fit in with the rest of the composition. In this video we'll change the stacking order of some layers and adjust the contrast of the boat so it matches the faucet.
  
  Fine-Tuning the Faucet
  
  03:46
- In this video we'll visually connect the faucet to the rest of the image by adding a stream of water.
  
  Adding a Stream of Water
  
  05:14
- Another way we can add life to the composition is by painting in steam, which is what we will do in this video.
  
  Painting Steam
  
  06:08
- Some corrosion will add to the realism of our image, so in this video we'll create corrosion by adding a new layer with the Bevel and Emboss layer style and painting with a greenish blue.
  
  Adding Corrosion
  
  04:56
- Now that all the parts of the composition are in place, we'll stylize the overall look by adding a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with the Soft Light blend mode. This improves the contrast and gives our finished image an interesting feel.
  
  Final Adjustments
  
  02:57

Welcome to Getting Started with 3D in Photoshop

In this workshop you’ll use some source images, a downloaded 3D object, and Photoshop’s tools to create a striking composition. The contents of this course include:

First Steps
This chapter gets the process underway – we’ll have a look the source images, then open a couple of them and create some layer masks.

Adding a 3D Object
In this chapter we’ll walk through the process of finding, downloading, and positioning the 3D object in our composition. We’ll also make changes to the 3D preferences and the 3D camera's lens.

Customizing and Rendering the 3D Object
The 3D object that we imported in the previous chapter is just a starting point. In this chapter we’ll make some changes to its textures and lights, then render it.

Final Details
At this point our composition is in good shape but still a bit lifeless. In this chapter we’ll make some additions and adjustments to add energy to the image.

The lessons are wrapped in a feature-rich interface that lets you jump to any topic and bookmark individual sections for later review. Full-Screen mode provides a hi-def, immersive experience, and Watch-and-Work mode shrinks the video into a small window so you can play the videos alongside your application. Also included are exercise files that give you an easy way to try out the techniques you learn.

System Requirements

Broadband internet connection
Up-to-date browser with Flash plug-in
Screen resolution 1024x768 or higher
Sound card with speakers or headphones attached
Pentium 4 2.6 GHz or higher, or Apple Mac G5
512 MB RAM

HTML5 Player-Ready

This course can be played with an HTML5 Player, which means it can be viewed online with your iPad and iPhone 4.

Project Files (Downloadable Feature)

Project files are included with this course so you can practice what you learn and work right along with the videos.

Powerful, Feature-Rich Interface

This course features video2brain’s interactive interface. As you navigate the course, rolling over a chapter or video brings up text describing that item.

Full-Screen mode provides a hi-def, immersive experience. And Watch-and-Work mode puts the video into a resizable window that you can shrink so you can watch the lessons on one side of your screen while you’re following along and applying what you’ve learned on the other.

HD Video

This course comes in crisp 1280 x 720 high definition video.

Bookmarks (Downloadable Feature)

Available in the downloadable version of our courses, this feature makes it easy to create a custom bookmark in any lesson to mark where you left off or to make note of something you want to refer back to later. You can even add a name or short note to remind yourself what the bookmark is for.

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