Using Wendy's Orb

[JNBarros]

Hi! I am new to using PSE5 for creative techniques (have been fixing photos for years with PSE). I just downloaded and found Wendy's Orb. Can anyone give me some quick tips and tricks on how to use it? Here are the two orbs I created.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/viewgallery.php?user=940

[SenorSlick]

I think you've already got it down very well. They look great! Harvey

[Ellen]

Those do look great- just a warning they are also addictive! You may get dizzy or start looking at things wondering what sort of orb it would make.:)

[chas3stix]

Looks like yiu're on your way to orb addiction.....:D
Chas

[karen donnybrook]

Your orbs are great. I assum that one was made with a square image while the other one was done with a rectangular image. You could try putting a bevel on a finished orb and see what happens.

Karen :)

[efarnstrom]

Yes, addicting! Have you tried using blend modes? Here's some examples:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Sv5LPZC94jS0R5qsCuwBa110kKpqF1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Sv5LPZC94jS0R5qsCuwBa110kKpqF1)
Aloe plant, inverted, with difference blend

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1DCiEeivxbFp3kKqLvNzClbobdGK3_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1DCiEeivxbFp3kKqLvNzClbobdGK3)
inverted with soft light blend
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/19CkUvAYkFVwhzMJc2OEU1adWU735K1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=19CkUvAYkFVwhzMJc2OEU1adWU735K1)
original aloe plant

[JNBarros]

OK, so I am really new at this. How do I add a blend mode and/or a bevel?

[karen donnybrook]

I am using PSE4 and do not know exactly how to do it in PSE5. I know someone will come along and tell the correct way.

Karen :)

[Wendy]

Hi ...

To add a bevel you do to the Artworks & Effects palette and find the Layers Styles ... bevels are there. However a bevel shows up on the edges of the image so if you want it around the orb you will first need to select the circle of the orb and copy it to its own layer.

Changing the blend mode is done by going to the Layers Palette then look at the top of the palette and you will see a bar that says normal all the blending modes are there. Click on it and change the mode.

Another twist on this is to duplicate the orb layer then do Image>Rotate>Flip Layer Horizontal ... and then experiment with the blending mode of the top layer. :)

Wendy

[JNBarros]

Thanks Wendy. I'm going to try all of those "twists" on Tuesday while my son is in pre-school, then I can really take the time to experiment. I should get a good lesson on using the select tool(s) to select the orb.

[Wendy]

Hi Joann ...

The easiest way to select the orb is to use the Elliptical Marquee.

Just select the tool and then click in the centre of the orb ..
... drag a little way and then (still holding down the mouse button) hold down the shift and the control keys. Whilst holding down the keys drag the marquee tool out some more until it covers all of the circle.

Holding down the Alt Key meand that the selection comes from the centre of where you first start the drag ... and holding down the shift key keeps the shape a perfect circle :)

Wendy

[Annewin]

What exactly is an ORB?

[Wendy]

Hi ...

This is one example of an orb :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1BTTLiWtYfkJDbPrSJT1rsSg1imP6b0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1BTTLiWtYfkJDbPrSJT1rsSg1imP6b0)

You can make them out of any image ... if you are a subscriber just go to the Subscriber Area>downloads ... then scroll right down to the bottom of the page and you will see Wendy's Orb action. Just download it, install it and you are ready to make orbs :)

Wendy

[efarnstrom]

Hi ...

This is one example of an orb :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1BTTLiWtYfkJDbPrSJT1rsSg1imP6b0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1BTTLiWtYfkJDbPrSJT1rsSg1imP6b0)

You can make them out of any image ... if you are a subscriber just go to the Subscriber Area>downloads ... then scroll right down to the bottom of the page and you will see Wendy's Orb action. Just download it, install it and you are ready to make orbs :)

Wendy

Wendy! Here I was expecting you to explain 'what an orb is' and you had to go and give an example of one!!! I was waiting for you to put the impossible into words!

[Wendy]

Hi Es ...


I tried explaining it once before and got into a dreadful mess :D :D :D

Wendy