I would like to make 3d images out of pitures. Could someone please tell me exactly what I need to do this. And what programs I might need.
Thank you.
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I would like to make 3d images out of pitures. Could someone please tell me exactly what I need to do this. And what programs I might need.
Thank you.
I would like to make 3d images out of pitures. Could someone please tell me exactly what I need to do this. And what programs I might need.
Thank you.
Hi Deb,
The answer would depend on what you want to accomplish. If you want to use Xara3D to create a 3D image, you would need XaraX or Webster and then draw the shapes to import into Xara3D. You could use another vector drawing program and save the shapes as wmf or emf, but unless you already own one of those HIGH prices programs it's not worth spending the money.
If you are wanting to use another 3D program, you would need to learn how to model the 3D shapes in the 3D program.
Of the two, using XaraX or Webster (which comes with Xara3D5) to draw the shapes; is the easiest. Simply import the image you want to use. Create a new layer and use the Shape Editor, Freehand Tool, or Pen Tool to draw the shapes. It's similar to using tracing paper and a pencil to draw shapes from a photo.
Thank you for your help.
I purchased Xara3d5 yesterday and believe I need to wait for another program that comes with x3d5.
So what i am trying to do is this: I have pictures of gemstones and jewellery that I have taken and would like to make them into 3d.
Is this possible?
I also have PaintShop Pro 7.
It all seems a little confusing to me right now, but im sure with practice and help and advice, I can get there http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Thank again for your help.
Deb.
Hi Deb and Welcome.
The short answer to your question is NO.
As Bill points out above, Xara3D needs to have shapes imported to create a 3d effect. Photographs are just rectangles and will not benefit from Xara3D.
HOWEVER, you can create the shapes you require XaraX or Webster, import them into Xara3D, and apply the photograph (or part of the photograph) as a texture to that shape.
Xara3D is basically a very easy program for producing 3D Text effects. Using it for anything else is pushing the boundries of the program beyond what it was designed for, but the results can be excellent.
Egg
An example.
Egg.
Excellent example. After I saw yours, I tried more facets and differently angled bevels on mine, but I think it needs a proper gemcutter's eye. It certainly doesn't look like any gem I ever saw!
Mike
Hi Egg!
So you tell me that I cant produce 3d pictures using x3d5 unless I have Webster. OR I cant do it full stop?
I see you did an excellent job on yours. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
This is what I want to achieve.
So is it yes you can do it (conditional)? or no you cant do it?
Thanks for your help and I will check back soon. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Deb.
Hi Deb
Yes you can do it. Conditional.
What you can't do (or expect) is to import a photograph of, say, a bear, and create a 3D bear out of it. No program can or will ever be able to do that.
Main Point: You can't just import a photograph and create a 3D version of it. (To the computer a photograph is just a meaningless matrix of different coloured dots. It has no conception of wether it's a picture of a dog or a moutain. Only you, the viewer has this perception)
Maybe the best way to approach this is for you to let us know what your trying to achieve. Just sketch an example, as rough as you want, and scan it, then post it.
Then we will be able to say if it can be reproduced in Xara3D. Not everything can, but as you can see from Mikes example a lot is possible.
On the point re Webster: I believe a trial version is included on the Xara3D CD, so we should be able to work a way through this.
Egg
Hi Mike
Never thought of creating a gem stone before either, but it's a fun exercise. Fancy adding the ring? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Egg
I believe I get the full version of Webster after purchasing x3d5 when I recieve the cd.
Anyway, another question coming you way http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif What if I where to outline the actual gemstone, would the program then recognize what part of the picture needs to be changed to 3d?
Deb (again).
hi Deb,
I think you are getting the hang of things. the computer needs a connect the "dots" type of reference. A bitmap drawing program will not create the "dots". The only programs that create these "dots" are called vector drawing programs.
Webster, Xara X1, Ilustrator, Draw are all vector drawing programs. Webster should come with the CD version of X3D5.
I like to think of webster as the retarded brother of the genius, Xara X. It can do many of the same things, just stunted in the output department.
What Mike and Egg did was to create a connect the dots of the gemstones, then apply the bitmap over the created 3d...
Hi Deb,
You can use Webster to create a shape and a texture. Here's a small tutorial show a simple example.
This is the animation exported from Xara3D5.
Hi Bill, Egg, & Mike,
I do not know if a diamond would be possible tho. The stone is translucent and the facets are cut in the bottom of the stone to give it it's sparkle. Can you lay one shape over another and have the bottom faces shine through?
'lo, John.
I don't think Xara3D can do what you suggest, as it does not offer any form of transparency for shapes or textures, though for a static image, perhaps an an inverted image can be placed below a semi-transparent gem image in XaraX. Must play with this.
Mike
Oh boy, what have I started here? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
I would just like to thank you guys for your persistance with me. You have all been extremely helpful and I am learning so much from you.
I can't get started on any drawing as I have to wait for the Webster program to arrive here (Austraila). I can't wait. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
Thanks again and I will stick around if that's ok. Some much to learn from here.
Regards,
Deb.
P.s. Mike, if you do play around with that diamond please be sure to share ok? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Hi, Deb. Welcome to the forum. I'll add a couple of plug nickels to this post (even though you've hit the motherload of intelligence already with these responses).
I've made a basic gemstone graphic using the "Button" feature within X3D alone.
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Open the Button tool and select the check box.
<LI> Select Octagon from the dropdown
<LI> Set Stretch to 100% and corners to 0
<LI> I set the Extrusion to 57 and used a 45 degree bevel with a depth of 390
<LI> You could add a texture to it, but I love green, so I just made it green.[/list]
This will give you something to play with until the little retarded brother of Xara X(Webster, according to John http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif) comes in the mail.
Art
BTW...try using fonts with multiple angles.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I will play with it today http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Will let you know how I go.
Regards,
Deb.
Hi John,
If anyone can do it, Mike or Egg would be the one. I gave up trying to get a diamond look a couple of years ago.
Art - That a neat technique. I haven't used the button tool in Xara3D, I'll have to spend some time studying it. Thanks.
Okay bill, Mike and Egg...
here is my measly contribution. A diamond shape, with multi-colored facets...
I think Steve did a pretty good looking diamond somewhere in the xone...
John, thanks for the xar. I think when I saw the one Steve posted is when I gave up http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
This is the last diamond drawing I did. The .xar file is dated 5/8/2001 on the CD I saved it to.
Lets see what we can do with this then. The close up looks weird but the distance shot looks way cool.
Hmmm... I'm still working on this , it isn't going to be anytime soon, but this is my progress so far on the XaraX side of things. I am still trying to understand the shapes involved, so the edges of the facets are picked out in black. I have also learned some technical terms, too, like crown, pavilion, girdle, table, etc. Isn't the Internet wonderful? I have no idea how strongly coloured diamonds can be, but this was fun to play with.
Mike
Mike,
Looks cool. I read or heard somewhere that every diamond has a base color, from grey (the cheapest) to white (the most expensive) I would suggest a linear raindow/alt rainbow fill on each facet. Starting at the base color, for instance, a pale pink or blue, to white.
would you mind sharing your .xar diamond?
Hi John,
no problem, not all the facets are separate shapes, though. I did what you suggested already with the lower facets on the pavilion, in the lower layer, with the upper layer (the crown) more of a transparent, 3-colour fill washed across the crown.
Anyway, here it is to play with. It is called diamond mine http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif , to distinguish it from your own one, John.
Mike
I can see some amazing progress going on here. The Diamonds are looking gorgeous!
I have learnt that trying to make objects "transparent" is not possible so a white diamond would be extremely difficult to achieve. Fortunately diamonds come in many colours such as yellow, pink, champagne, cognac etc. Experimenting with lighting could be the key. I wasnt able to open John's file so I couldn't see his diamond. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
Moving on to my next question. Is it possible to make a perfect sphere? (orb, circle)? Guess where this is leading http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Pearls!! If I can make a 3d circle, I can make a string of pearls.
What are your thoughts?
Regards,
Deb.
Deb,
In X3D, when you select "Open", go to the button folder and choose the "Ball x 1.x3d" file. It's probably what you're looking for. Try that out and see.
As you will notice, X3D has an unusual effect with the texture ("jumps" at the end of the rotation). Play around with it and see if you can maybe rotate the "pearls" in such a way that the texture shift isn't as pronounced.
Art
Hi Art,
There are lots of things in Xara3D I've never explored. Thanks for the info about the Ball x 1.x3d.
Hi All,
Thanks Mike for the diamond. I will treasure it forever... I hope this does not mean anything...
We should bug Antony to put a link up for a trail version of webster, that people can download when they register X3d5.
Pearls are a piece of cake in XaraX. Draw 1, duplicate it, create a blend, adjust along a curve.... see pretty picture.
Soquili and John have made exactly the right pearls I am after.
Fence, I can't seem to find the file with the ball that you suggested.
This is what I did: Clicked open, clicked button folder, then I see no "balls" lol.
So where is it?
And I dont understand the x 1.3d.
I missing something here aren't I?
Please help.
*Deb*
No I don't think your missing anything Deb. I've opened my button folder and there's no Ball x 1.x3d in mine either. It might be that we're using different versions. Maybe Art will post it for you.
Egg
Hi Deb,
The file is one of the buttons installed with Xara3D5. It's been so long ago, but I think it's only installed if you select the samples. If you are still using the download you won't find it until you install from the CD when it arrives.
Grrrrr I can't wait to get that Cd.
Thank you both so much for responding that quickly.
I am very thankful for all your help.
You guys are the "gods" of this place http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Maybe it's one of the files on the cd. Sorry if that was the case. Here's the file. Let me know if you have any problems with it.
Art
Fence, I clicked on you download and it opened a window full of code. Does this need to be placed into the buttons folder?
And if the yes, how? I can copy it but not paste it.
I'm not really sure what's happening on your end. When I click on it, I'm given the option to open or save. If I click open, Xara x3d automatically opens the file. Depending on the text that shows up, you might be able to save it as a text file with an X3d extension and open it with Xara. What does the text look like?
Or, here's another way:
The ball is actually nothing more than a period. Open up a new x3d project and put in a period using a font like Times New Roman. I set the size to 70 pt, extrusion depth of 150, and a curved bevel with a depth of 999. You'll have to play with the colors/lights or add a translucent texture to achieve the desired results.
Art
Deb, you can also try right click on the link and select "Save Target As" to save the file.
"This is what I did: Clicked open, clicked button folder, then I see no "balls" lol." Deb
Forgive me, but I am still laughing... The first thing that popped into my head after seeing your response was...
"girls don't have those..." ROTFL
Darn... I am in tears from laughing so hard.
My apologies... I am just a perverted old man and enjoy being one. Please take no offense. Please take these pearls as a token of my sincerity.
John im glad you found it funny I was beginning to worry about you guys!
Now are you sure about giving me those gorgous pearls? I love them. I am having some success now that Fence has got me working on my pearls. They are not as good as yours though John. Perhaps when I get Webster I can improve. I will attach a picture of what I have done soon. I am not on my laptop right now.
Also, I got the "ball file" after right clicking and using the save as target option.
So thank you once again.