Pluginless Chrome effects

**ss-kalm** · 10 April 2009, 07:23 PM

John,

Your chrome effect is stunning. How did you do it?

**covoxer** · 10 April 2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by ss-kalm

John,

Your chrome effect is stunning. How did you do it?

I'm using simple Curves. This is a classic technique, now can be used in Xtreme since it has a Curves tool.

**steve.ledger** · 10 April 2009, 08:35 PM

Some might consider the Curves tool a plugin John

(c/o Magix isn't it?)

**covoxer** · 10 April 2009, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by sledger

Some might consider the Curves tool a plugin John

(c/o Magix isn't it?)

Yes, it is a live effect plug-in. But since it is not a 3rd party plug-in, everyone can use it.
It worth noting though that in Xtreme, all the bitmap tools are implemented in form of plug-ins.
So, all examples demonstrated in this thread are using at least one live effect. Select your example and activate LE tool. You'll see the effect in the list.

**steve.ledger** · 10 April 2009, 09:06 PM

I agree.

Slightly OT (but to the point) the WD tweaks are 'plugins' of a sort which help non-coders achieve a design and function goal.

I'm not a fan of Graphics plugins because so many produce horrid results and I don't feel I have full control of the output, but I do use them when they are right for the job. It's a tool, nothing more.

**salaam** · 10 April 2009, 10:35 PM

I thought that I would try without using a plug-in or even a bitmap.
These use a contrast transparency.

(Ooops! Is plasma cloud a bitmap?)

**jvila** · 11 April 2009, 02:14 AM

here without any pluggin, just fill tool.
Un abrazo

**covoxer** · 11 April 2009, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by salaam

(Ooops! Is plasma cloud a bitmap?)

No, but shadow is!

**Big Frank** · 10 April 2009, 08:59 PM

That's a superb silver/chrome effect, John. Can you by any chance do the same thing whilst adding the reflections that chrome is so well known for as shown in this photo?

**covoxer** · 11 April 2009, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by Big Frank

Can you by any chance do the same thing whilst adding the reflections that chrome is so well known for as shown in this photo?

Yes, there are different ways to add reflections. But you can't apply the effect to the object that already has a reflection, especially color one. The source image for this effect has to be a greyscale lightmap. The result is also a light map but a tweaked one that looks like chrome.
You can combine the resulting light map with the reflection image. The most correct way is to apply flat Luminosity transparency to the chromed object and put it on top of the reflection image. This may requre locking the LE though. Another way is to put the reflection image on top of the chrome object and give it the stained glass transparency. There may be other ways too, you just have to use the chromed image as a light map for your reflection image somehow.