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  1. #1
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    Default September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    Using Masking tools in Photo Compositions

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Earlier this month, you saw Part 1, on how to blend and alter multiple images to make dramatic compositions. This month, Gary tips in the Mask tools, the ones in Designer Pro 10, some in version 9, and some in version 8. Come see how you can create a spotlight effect on a pile of gems and not even get arrested for breaking and entering a jewelry store!

    Read more...then show us how you use Xara's Masking Tools.
    Barbara Bouton
    TalkGraphics Forum Administrator

    The Xara Xone website developer. | TheBoutons.com

  2. #2
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    Thanks, Administrator. :)

    I'd like to add that Part II is not really a continuation of Part I we posted earlier this month. I'd say it's an intermediate to advanced tutorial and you need to have the Mask tools in your version of Xara; to the best of my knowledge, they started appearing in the Pro version 8.

    The good news is that you don't have to work through Part I to benefit from watching Part II.

    But Robert Downey Jr. had a cameo in Part I.


    I'm lying,

    Gary

  3. #3
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    Part 1 of part 2 I found there's a few ways to use the mask tools and one I like is to use the Rectangle Region Tool to cover the whole image then select the Mask painter tool, this applies the mask to the Rectangle then with the Mask painter tool + shift erase parts of the mask I want to work on.

    Stygg
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    Last edited by stygg2003; 28 September 2014 at 12:25 PM.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    That was ambitious, stygg, and you did very well, very creative. It looks as though the clown's makeup artist is colorblind.


    ;)


    -g

  5. #5
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    [QUOTE=Gare;514056]That was ambitious, stygg, and you did very well, very creative. It looks as though the clown's makeup artist is colorblind.



    Thanks for the feedback Gary, I used this image to try most of the ways to use the new mask tools. These new mask tools are excellent. Moving on to Part 2 of Part 2

    Stygg

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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    Part2 of Part2, the techniques shown in this part are excellent, especially the second mask base for the jewels.
    The overall Part 2 jewels is really worth doing. I used slightly different effects for the fininishing highlights, I did each one individual. May not be spot on but learned a lot from this tut.

    Stygg
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    I took the brightness of the spot light down on this one and moved the high light of the middle gem to the bottom of the gem, I thought it looked better

    Stygg
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  8. #8
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    Isn't it wonderful how you can adjust this brightness, saturation and focus (and other stuff) in an isolated area of a photo? I used to have to use the Slice operation, close the hole I left using the Shape tool and hitting Backspace (does everyone know about this undoing of a Boolean operation?), and then adjusting and feathering the sliced (clipped) area. Masks can certainly save you steps and workarounds.

    Stygg, you're doing great! I feel like tossing you another example image, when my own work (and grocery shopping) permits!

    Let me see what I can do and your work is legend, man.

    My Best,

    Gary
    Last edited by Gare; 02 October 2014 at 02:35 PM. Reason: I HaD THE CAPs LoCK KEY On

  9. #9
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    Tried to makes something like your vid.tut. Gary, a bit over ambitious so I hope I've not ruined a great tut. It's one thing following the instructions in a ready made image and another making one of your own but I learnt a little extra attempting it. I forgot to take the red outline off the clipview rectangle

    Stygg
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  10. #10
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    Default Re: September 2014 Video Tutorial -- Xara Photo Compositions Part 2

    I commend you for your ambition, stygg. We need to go back to shadows and perspective a little to pin the essence of the architecture of what you're doing to the extra, added spot light effect. Also, if you're going to use a spotlight, you need a lack of contrastr, so the spotlight adds contrast.

    You're real close to a delightful composition, though.

    Here: I did a piece that needs the spotlight. Look at the differences in my approach (I think there's a bitmap inside the spheres....I jusrt pulled one of a thousand shiny spheres out of my directories!); see how the perspective on the grid simplifies and help the audience orient themselves to the perspective.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Want to take a whack at this, attached?

    My Best,

    Gary
    Attached Files Attached Files

 

 

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