Alpha blended 3D shapes over cityscape photos

[DrYSG]

I want to draw 3D shapes (lines, bubbles, overlays) that are 30% alpha blends on top of photographs of urban scenes (to illustrate multiverse game applications).

Can anyone point me to clues as to how to do this (I have both Xtreme and 3D)

[DrYSG]

For example, I have a photograph of a street scene with buildings and people and I want to make it appear as if a blue bubble force field is enwrapping one of the people in the scene.

Any pointers you could give me would be of help.

I posted this to talk graphics but no reply.

[Soquili]

Hi DrYSG,

What you are describing can easily be done in Xtreme, but cannot be done in Xara3D.

In Xtreme import the photo or other image you want to add your shapes to. Draw the shape you want. Apply a transparency to the shape and add some shapes for highlights and shadings to make it look 3D.

The attachment is exaggerated, but hopefully you get the idea.

[remi]

Xtreme force field

see also: Xara Xtreme -> Clipart gallery -> Example Xara X drawings 1 -> drawing "Sky blast".

[DrYSG]

OOOOOH, I love this stuff. Thanks muchly.

Is there a site or a book that discusses highlighting, use of gradients, how to very the whiteness of and shadows of outlines, so that it looks like the box has natural lighting from the surrounding environment.

I.e. I know some Flash designers who are geniuses at this. But I am not. So I was looking for practical tutorials (online or in book form) that talk about this. Even better if this is a XARA specific tool based approach!

[Intbel]

Xtreme is great for doing this work.
This is my first effort at such an image which isn't too bad so a bit o' practice and you can soon be doing exactly as you want.

[-=Drifter=-]

I suggest you check out Gary Priester's excellent bubble tutorial and try making your own with your own street scene background:
http://www.xaraxone.com/tutorials/mar05/index.html

[Soquili]

http://www.xaraxone.com has over 10 years of tutorials for Xara.