Galaxy Angel Tutorial--how do you manipulate the brushes?

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Hi folks,

I am working on a tutorial today that is really supposed to be for photohop users only, but I know that there are ways to get around this. I am stuck at this point: how do you move the brushes around and turn them horizontal, vertical, sideways, etc. She is very vague about "transform, edit, distort... here iit is:http://www.eyesontutorials.com/articles/109/4/Galaxy-Angel/Page4.html:confused::(

all my best,

Charlotte

[Bayla]

Charlotte,

First of all make sure that each brush you use is on a new layer. You can change the angle of the brush before you stamp it on your page but for this tutorial it's probably easiest to change the size, direction etc. afterwards - just make sure the layer that you have stamped the brush on is selected and then Ctrl-T to Free Transform - then you can drag on the corner handles to resize, or rotate by moving your cursor outside the corner until you get a double headed arrow, then just move it in either direction. If you hold down Shift as you drag the corner handles you can distort the brush shape. Then make another new layer and use a different brush and transform that. Once you are entirely happy with all the brush layers you can select them all and merge them, and then carry on with the rest of the tutorial.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Bayla

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Bayla,
You say to put the wings on a new layer...is that Layer>new...that looks like it is checkered? How do I get the layer to come onto where the image is? i am confused.:(

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Hi,

When I take the eyeball off of the background layer, i can see the checked board layer. When I try to put the wings on with the wing brush, it blur/whites out there..no wings.:confused::confused:

[Bayla]

Charlotte,

Just click on the New Layer button at the top of the layers palette, select your wings brush - make sure the colour is the right one, (and you'll also probably need to change the size considerable as they come in quite small) then click on your picture. You can change the position of the wings by selecting the new layer that you've just clicked on, Ctrl-T and moving them as I mentioned in my last post.

You can change the colour of your brush by making sure the layer you've brushed on is highlighted, then go to Edit>Fill Layer, choose your colour and make sure Preserve Transparency is checked.

What you should have in your layers palette is your image, then above that your layer which you have stamped the wings on.

Bayla

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Bayla, Thanks so much! I am going to try tomorrow...too tired to go on.:(
Cheers,
charlotte

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Hey Everyone,
I am struggling with this tutorial. I have been trying to use a wing brush on a new layer above my image and it just isn't happening.:mad: I have thought and thought about solutions and am not coming up with any. I have read the tutorial on layers and it makes sense but why isn't my brush making an impression? And another question: I have the new layer highlighted, but the image of the girl is the one that is on the big screen. Is that right? Please help me figure this out. :(

[JulieM]

Charlotte,

Yes, the image (the girl) is what you are going to see in the editing space. The blank layer you created is invisible and is sitting over your image waiting for you to put something on it. ;) When you select your brush and hover your cursor over the image, do you see the outline of the brush you chose? And in the bar at the top where you selected your brush, is the mode set to Normal? Is your color set to something bright enough to be visible over the image?

[JulieM]

Another thought - in your toolbar at the top where you selected your brush and made sure the mode was set to Normal, also make sure the opacity is 100%. You won't see the brush if it is set towards the zero end of the scale. (You can always play with opacity later in your layers palette).

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Here is what I have so far and can't see why I can't use the brushes correctly.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1KnS0Z3BM6xxhRLQlBoYvsWhJ4cx5

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Julie, the mode is set to "brush", 100% opacity, color is black, background of image is blue. layer mode is "normal", 100%:(

[JulieM]

Charlotte,

You have the wrong tool selected. Nested in with the Impressionist Brush Tool that you are trying to use is the Brush Tool. Use the little triangle next to the brush icon and select Brush Tool (it looks almost the same but without the funky swirl behind it). See if that works. (Or did your tutorial tell you to use the Impressionist Brush???)

[Bayla]

Charlotte,

Looks to me as if you have the Eraser Brush selected instead of the regular Brush Tool! That's the one that seems to be highlighted in your image)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1q5TsFYR079OJyAYUmFUjPfWhVzyRt1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1q5TsFYR079OJyAYUmFUjPfWhVzyRt1)

Bayla

[Wendy]

Hi Charlotte ...

Just try something else ...

Create a new Layer ... Layer>New>Layer
then select any of you brushes and just draw something using the brush.

Does that show up OK ??

Wendy
PS ... I am just wondering of when you created the new layer you accidently Locked the transparency. Just go the the Layers Palette and check if the new layer has a lock next to it ?? :)

[JulieM]

Charlotte - Cancel that last message! Sorry! You're using an Eraser Brush not the Impressionist Brush! Also, your brush is set too large.

edit: Bayla is quicker!

[Bayla]

Julie,

But you're also right - below the Eraser tool she definitely does have the Impressionist Brush showing.

Bayla

[charlotteinkennesaw]

I am back and am excited to try all that you both suggested. Now don't wander too far please.:D

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Hey Y'all! I am so happy that I have gotten this far! Without your help I would be sitting here crying. LOL:D Please feel free to critique this and let me know how to get rid of the "smoke" on her face and arm. The eraser tool is not working and neither is the clone stamp tool. :(

[Diana]

Hi Charlotte,

Sounds like you're getting some good advice and if you retry, your brush should stamp for you.

One thing I might add as far as maniupulating your stamped wings to get them the right size, shape, angle, etc.

In addition to the Ctrl-T to transform the wings that Bayla mentioned, you can also use Image > Transform > Skew (or Distort) to change the angle and shape of each wing. It takes a little practice, but once you figure out where to drag the handles to get the manipulation you need, sometimes it can really make the wings looks more realistic.

Diana

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Diana,
thanks, I will try that. I think that today i have learned more than ever about layers. :D Do you know that I had about 18 layers at one time.:eek: It has been fun and I am learning that I like the manipulation of brushes for effect. Thanks to you all!:D

[Bayla]

Here is my galaxy angel so far


Charlotte,

I'm not seeing it anywhere....

Not sure why your eraser tool isn't working - check the settings - mode, opacity, reset the tool if necessary.

Bayla

[Diana]

With the Clone tool, you may need to click the All Layers box in the options bar, depending on which layer you have active and what you're trying to clone.

Diana

[charlotteinkennesaw]

I think I've got it... take a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlotteinkennesaw/3683025484/

[ladybug]

Wow Charlotte you did a great job!

[JulieM]

Wow! I think that is a tremendous result. Really stunning. Your perseverance paid off! :)

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Thanks so much! I couldn't have done it without your help!!:)
Have a great 4th!

[Bayla]

Charlotte,

Your perseverance paid off. It looks great!

Bayla

[Wendy]

Charlotte ...

Oh that does look good ... all that effort really was worth it :)

Well done !!

Wendy

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Thanks to you all!!!