How do I make a sandcastle beach hut?!

[shents]

Hi

I am busy trying to design a poster advertising some brand new beach huts that our council are renting.

The 'look' that I'd like to achieve, is the outline of a beach hut filled in with sand, to make it look like a sandcastle. I'd like the sand to be real sand preferably used from an image of a sandy beach - rather than filled with a sandy effect (unless you think that would look better). I'd then like to try and stick a little spade in next to it.

Anyone out there get what I'm trying to do? And if so how can I achieve this design? Can I do it in Photoshop? I do have Indesign and Illustrator - but clueless on Illustrator.

Any help will be gratefully received, as I'm new to all this...and trying to impress my boss!

[iamtheblues]

If I were going to do this, I'd use Illustrator, of the programs you mention...but that's not strictly true, as I would use Xara Xtreme for ease of use. Find a suitable photo of the beach hut, and trace round the outline of it. This outline can be filled with a sand texture (as I have done), or you could make your own easily enough.
Saludos,
Bob.

[shents]

Thanks for that Bob - it looks really great. I'll have a go at that in Illustrator. How did you get the sand effect?

[iamtheblues]

I used a beige texture set to a repeating bitmap fill in Xara Xtreme.
You should be able to right click on the attached picture below and select "save image" to your hard drive.
Saludos,
Bob.

[shents]

I've been having a go in Illustrator, and I used a grain texture fill which looks good. I've never used the Illustrator bit yet, but its going well so far. I've put the hut in front of a lovely Northumberland blue sky. Just need to do the bucket and spade now.

Thanks for your help Bob - you've got me well on the way after a frustrating day in Photoshop!

[iamtheblues]

It's a pleasure. I'd like to see your progress on this. Good luck.
Saludos,
Bob.

[shents]

Give me a couple of days (prob by the end of Monday) and I'll post it up for you to see the finished article! Thanks again.

[shents]

Actually - here's what I've managed as a quick experiment. Not sure if I've attached it correctly though cause I havent done this before..

[iamtheblues]

I forgot to mention that you can download a 30 day free trial of Xara Xtreme from here. Just click on the "Try It" button. Most newcomers to computer graphics should find it a lot easier to get started and produce something worthwhile without the pain that Illustrator can induce because of its rather steep learning curve.
Saludos,
Bob.

[iamtheblues]

Wow! That was quick. It appeared whilst I was posting my last message.
That's a pretty good experiment.
Saludos,
Bob.