June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape

[stygg2003]

Thanks for the fonts and palettes and all the advice given in this months tut. I really learned a lot. The Genopal site is fantastic. I've just got round to doing something simple with the shopping bags tut. then if I get a quiet weekend, will try the Can v3 tut, no excuse that I've not got the colours or fonts and no Arial in sight

Stygg

[Gare]

You're doing wonderful stuff, Stygg!

Keep it up, and yes, Genopal can be an invaluable tool for mixing colours when you have no previous experience.

And even sometimes if you do. I would not have tried creating the new look of the Xara Xone without some colors on tap!

-g

[stygg2003]

Last two updates before the new tut. arrives Did my Can attempt with a Jamaican theme, even the colours. The Shopping one, tried to line up things more. All in all, this as been a great learning tut, as they have all been but this one took away the fear of using the dreaded mould tool

Stygg

[Gare]

...then you've indeed accomplished something, Stygg. Your work looks inspired and polished, man.

Broad hint: we're going to get into photo retouching in August on the Xone.

-g

[Antspants]

Nice Stygg, looks excellent.

The 'Genopal' link is very good, thanks Gary.

Been busy updating some web stuff plus just managed to finish a seamless tile made from hexagons, what a mare but think its 99% spot on.

[Gare]

Genopal is quite nice, isn't it?

It really gets designers away from the "this is the color opposite of this color" syndrome.

-g

[stygg2003]

Cheers Antspants, just tried to make a tube like rim on this image by making a shape, giving it a warm grey 3 flat fill, cloning it and giving that a fractal plasma fill with feathering, not bad but not great Also added a top design to fill the can.

Stygg

[stygg2003]

Sorry to be a pain guys but here's the final rendition, promise

Stygg

[Gare]

You're not being a pain, Stygg, and it's a joy to watch your progress, man.

One thing I'd like to see is more of a suggestion of reflection on the label.

Or not, completely your call and even as I write this, I'm finishing this moth's tutorials.

But here's a suggestion/tip: As long as you have a selection going around the profile of the can, why not take a blank copy of the can, align it on top, and then give it about 10% opacity to create a little visual complexity that suggests a reflective surface?

Overall, though, you should be quite pleased with what you've learned and accomplished!

-g

[stygg2003]

Certainly makes a difference doing what you suggested Gary. It seemed to look better with a linear trans. 70% top 100% bottom. Thanks for the tip. Looking forward to the new tut.

Stygg