Just making a few things for cards. Rich
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Just making a few things for cards. Rich
Hi Rich......this is cool looking design. And aren't you one of the bug boys on this site? I'm new here; and brand smacking new to computer graphics. What program/s did you use? And for the top one is that done in 3D or did you use a non-3D with some type of 'button' effect? twidder
Twidder,
That is just an illusion and this is 2D. It is an application of reflection maps in Expression. Expression can handle maps with transparency. This was something I discovered some time ago. You can use maps in other applications, but not transparent maps. I had a problem working in Expression until I discovered a way to enable map transparency on screen. There is a set of bug wings I merged in Xara, and colored in Expression. So, this is an exceptionally easy of coloring objects. Rich
OK. Well, I'm afraid for a wee novice that this was a lot of information for me. (talk about feeling in over your head--but then this is how I seem to learn best by just jumping in and getting hands on)
You talk about maps and Expression. Expression (assuming?) is a program I've never heard of. Maps--are you speaking literally here, or is 'maps' a type of effect (the new images you included in your answer--the globe certainly looks like that and might imply that you're speaking of maps in the literal sense). And most interestingly you talk about transparency. This is a feature that I am currently most interested in. I'm using PSP 7.4 Transparency can be a difficult feature to save. If you haven't yet seen my uploaded Floral3 you might take a look at that and see what I've worked with so far just really using basic stuff, I think. This upload is actually my first non-practise work.
Any more explanations are welcome.
I believe E3.3 is still available for free download. It is a non expiring trial version. The application was taken over by Microsoft and is part of set of appications. There is a beta available that has several new features, and MS has been working out the bugs. You can read about it in the MS Expression forum.
A map (environment) is a source of color. The application only used the circular part of the image. Spherical shaping transfers to the object and gives the object shape. It depends a lot on the amp itself. I have 20 different styles. I have a set of images that I use for environments in Super Blade Pro that I use in Expression.
Expression is the only application that I know that will apply a map to an object, and use maps that have transparent areas.
I also use maps for edge erasing and shading. I have about 500 maps in my resource folder that have a good range of color. I have named them so they appear in order of color or type.
I have been currently looking at strokes. A story for another day, I think.
Rich
OK, this is certainly more helpful. Thanks! I'll look into this free download, Expression. One more ? if you don't mind.....this large collection of environments that you have, and your intention to try strokes--are these ones you've custom made with the program ?
I took a lot of photos that I use as a source for texture and color. I make things in several applications. I made tiles in PSCS from butterfly wings. Xara works good for tiles. I can make tiles in expression. I only use things I have made. Just no interest otherwise. Other people make great things. It is more of an interest in discovering things for myself.
I like dragonfly wings, and had a desire to make natural apearing transparent wings.
Rich
A Tree Stroke. Rich
An Environment (reflection) map with a transparent center and Expression embossing.
I saw that PSP can use Environments, but in a slightly different way.
Rich
This has been informing, Rich. Thankyou. I desire as well to creat my own preset shapes, patterns, etc.-- to in time be my only sources as well. That way I will feel 100% original. Currently, tho, I've had some difficulty in getting my images correctly exported
I was on the MS expressions site and discovered--so far--it seems Expressions is only supported by XP. I have 2000. It took some time to get to where I could use PSP 7.4 (and am thoroughly delighted to have a good graphics program, now) I may have to wait a while more till when I get my own hardware/software-operating system to get more of these goodies.