Computer Arts (December 2004)

116 Pages·2004·16.553 MB·English

EDITORIAL
WELCOME
I’m sure you’ll agree that this month’s cover image is a corker. It’s
EDITORIAL 01225 442 244 beautiful, arresting, detailed and doesn’t it just make you want to
GILLIAN CARSON SENIOR EDITOR boot up your copy of Photoshop and start creating amazing images
gDiOllMian H.cAaLrLso DnE@PfuUtTuYr eEnDeItT.cOoR.uk of your own? The feature tutorial on page 24 gets down to the nitty-
[email protected] gritty of how you should go about creating such an image, and our
RODDY LLEWELLYN SENIOR ART EDITOR
[email protected] Photoshop experts will show you how to produce perfect
VICKY MITCHARD DESIGNER illustrations using 3D shading techniques.
[email protected]
SARAH ROBSON DESIGNER Our cover disc is pretty special this month, too. We’ve teamed up
[email protected] with Xara to bring you an exclusive 60-day trial of its illustration
SOPHIE EMBLEY PRODUCTION EDITOR
[email protected] software, X1. This great piece of software is used by designers all
JOSEPH RUSS NEW MEDIA CONTENT EDITOR
[email protected] over the world to create intricate diagrams and add detail, such as
MATT GALLIMORE SENIOR CD EDITOR lighting and refl ections to automotive illustrations. Now you can
[email protected]
SIMON HOLLAND CD EDITOR use this 60-day, unlimited demo to test it out for yourself. Turn to
[email protected] page 104 to fi nd this month’s in-depth CD tutorial, written by
CD PROBLEMS 01225 822 743 leading automotive artist, Kane Rogers.
[email protected] As usual, you can pick up top tips from our vast panel of experts,
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM fi nd out how they produced some of their most intricate images,
Jason Arber, Graeme Aymer, Alistair Dabbs,
Christian Darkin, Mike de la Flor, I Love Dust, and learn some great techniques along the way. Enjoy the issue!
Chris Kenworthy, Anthony Kyriazis, Ian Naylor,
Ed Ricketts, Kane Rogers, Chris Schmidt,
Studio Liddell, Transistor Studios, Connie Wilson GILLIAN CARSON SENIOR EDITOR
[email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHY Jon Hope
PRINT William Gibbons
REPRO Radstock Reproductions Ltd
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Computer Arts magazine, Future Publishing,
30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW
01225 442 244 ISDN 01225 789 293
SUBSCRIPTION QUERIES 0870 444 8455 ILLUSTRATION IN THE MAG
OVERSEAS SUBSCRIPTIONS [phone]
EMAIL [email protected]
ADVERTISING 01225 442 244 JON LIDDELL
ROSA SMITH advertising manager
[email protected] Jon Liddell used a Wacom tablet and exceptionally subtle
GEORGE LUCAS senior sales executive Photoshop layer and fi lter work to create this issue’s highly
[email protected]
REBECCA BELL-ROBINSON classifi ed sales executive characterful cover illustration. We’ve never had so many
[email protected] passers-by salivating over our art editor’s monitor!
DIGITAL DIVISION INFO: www.studioliddell.com
DOM BEAVEN publishing director
KELLEY CORTEN publisher
FIONA TULLY marketing manager
CLARE TOVEY production manager CONNIE WILSON I LOVE DUST
PAUL MCINTYRE group art editor
SARAH WILLIAMS software copyright co-ordinator Connie’s sassy illo reveals I Love Dust used Photoshop
PRODUCTION the 3D power of Photoshop. to design each distinctive
EKMATILTYY MPIOGUONTTTE pRro addu pcrtioodnu ccoti-oonr dcion-aotrodrinator INFO: www.hardcaw- face of this box’s artwork.
MIKE THORNE commercial print buyer illustration.com INFO: www.ilovedust.com
CIRCULATION & LICENSING
JASON COMBER circulation manager GR/DD ANTHONY KYRIAZIS
PETE STOTHARD head of international licensing
SIMON WEAR overseas licensing director GR/DD’s design perfectly Anthony’s extreme multi-layer
Computer Arts has licences in China, France, Italy, captures the confusion manipulation in Photoshop
Poland, and Spain
surrounding print protocols. yielded truly startling results.
UK DISTRIBUTION
Marketforce Ltd 020 7633 3300 INFO: www.grdd.co.uk INFO: www.onyro.com
Kings Reach Tower, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LS
THE FUTURE NETWORK KANE ROGERS SCOTT HANSEN
ROGER PARRY non-executive chairman Xara X1’s Direct Action tools How to illustrate DV editing
GREG INGHAM chief executive
ROB PRICE managing director UK helped Kane refi ne this software? Scott comes up
TJO: +H4N4 B(0O)1W22M5A 4N42 g 2ro4u4 p fi nance director classy Aston Martin image. with an inventive illo.
URL: www.thefuturenetwork.plc.uk INFO: www.kanerogers.com INFO: www.iso50.com
Computer Arts is a member of the Audit
Bureau of Circulations Jan-Dec 2003: 22,888 IAN NAYLOR 123KLAN
CPoumblipsuhtienrg A Lrttds. iAsl tl hRei grhetgsis Rteerseedr vteradd. eAmll atrrakd oefm Faurtuksre Ian’s energetic pinball model 123Klan’s ultra-cool illo
and copyrights in this issue are recognised, and are makes full use of Cinema 4D’s boldly captures our lead news
acknowledged where possible. If we have failed to credit your copyright
please contact us – we’re happy to correct any oversight. Material photo-realistic rendering. story’s illegal pirate theme.
submitted is accepted on the basis of a worldwide right to publish in
printed or electronic form. All contents © Future Publishing 2004. INFO: www.aircrew.co.uk INFO: www.123klan.com
Future Publishing is part of The Future Network PLC.
Tspheec Fiaultiustr em Naegtawzionreks p froord puecoepsl ec awrehfou sllhy atarerg ae pteads sion. ËCONTACT
We aim to satisfy that passion by creating titles offering value for
money, reliable information, smart buying advice, and which are a
pleasure to read. Today we publish more than 90 magazines in the Computer Arts, Future Publishing, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW PHONE: [phone]
UK, US, France and Italy. Over 80 international editions of our
magazines are also published in 28 other countries across the world. EMAIL: ca.mail.futurenet.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS: 0870 444 8455 OVERSEAS: [phone]
The Future Network PLC is a public company quoted on the London
Stock Exchange (symbol: FNET).
December 2004 | 3
068

REVIEWS TUTORIALS
WHAT’S HOT LEARN THESE GREAT
AND WHAT’S NOT? TECHNIQUES
P76 POWERMAC G5 2.5GHZ P40 DVD MENU DESIGN
Apple’s liquid-cool aluminium marvel zips Bring your DVDs to life with stunning
through work like a dream – but at a price animated menus and audio effects
P78 VUE 5 ESPRIT P54 ABSTRACT GLOW
The ever-popular landscape editor Add punch to your 3D renders with 076
now delivers even fi ner rendering Photoshop’s impressive layer functions
P80 CARRARA 4 P58 3D ANIMATION
New and exciting animation functions Create and animate a 3D pinball model
bring extra power to this modelling giant with C4D’s impressive physics engine
P81 FLASH STUDIO PRO 2 P64 PACKAGE DESIGN
Convert your Flash projects with the Construct the ultimate eye-catching
minimum of fuss or technical know-how CV – in three dimensions
P82 MACROMEDIA APPS
FEATURES
We put innovative screen-capture app
Captivate and content management WHAT’S HAPPENING
solution Contribute 3 to the test IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
P83 IOMEGA REV DRIVE 000
Iomega unveils its new portable hard disk
storage system – and we’re impressed
P84 HP DESKJET 6540
HP gives it to you straight – forget hidden
costs with this no-nonsense printer
P87 BOOKS
The tome to leave open on your coffee
table when designer pals are around

GROUP TEST 030
WE ROAD TEST
FIVE OF THE BEST
P30 CA INTERVIEW
Nicholas Da Silva: “I don’t see it as
work. You’re just in the zone, you start
working on something, and from that
you go on to the next thing”
P48 ICON 054
Eric Gill: We profi le one of the 20th
century’s most enduring designers,
responsible for the classic Gill Sans
P68 GET STARTED WITH...
Printing: Ensure your hard work
P88 DV EDITING SOFTWARE outputs as intended when it leaves SUBSCRIBE TURN TO PAGE 45
Edit, copy, lay simple effects and title your the studio and hits the presses Subscribe today to take advantage of our
home video with these fi ve DV editors that special Christmas offer – and ensure you get
come in at under £100 each. But which P114 CURRICULUM VITAE an exclusive collector’s copy delivered straight
one will prove the best of the bunch? Tom Arthur Opasinski: The brilliant to your door. Visit www.computerarts.co.uk or
LA art director who has no guru call the subscription hotline on 0870 444 8455
4 | December 2004
DECEMBER ISSUE 103
Á PAGE 104
BOY RACER
Kane Rogers makes full use of this month’s
exclusive 60-day Xara X1 trial to add extra
defi nition to this classic racing image
058
104

ON THE CD
THIS ISSUE’S
SOFTWARE &
RESOURCES
XARA X1 (PC)
Calling all technical
illustrators! Use this
60-day trial to follow the
excellent tutorial starting
024
on page 104
CINEMA 4D 9
(MAC+PC)
Check out all the new
features with this 30-day demo
POWERDIRECTOR 2.55 VE (PC)
Capture, edit and add effects to your DV
footage with this feature-rich DV editor
FLASH STUDIO PRO 2 (PC)
Animators eager to export their projects
as standalone pieces will love this trial
MAC RHINO FONTS (MAC)
Five free fonts from fontmeisters MAC Rhino
See page 102 for further details!
ÁPAGE 24
3D EFFECTS
Add solidity, depth and texture to your illustration work
with the help of Connie Wilson’s Photoshop masterclass
December 2004 | 5
EXPOSURE
EXPOSURE
Send your work to Computer Arts and be seen by thousands!
KARIN KUHLMANN 1
JOB Commercial artist
CONTACT www.karinkuhlmann.de
SOFTWARE Photoshop and Painter 7.0
“During the last two years I have
worked on two series of illustrations.
The fi rst , “Faith, Love and Despair”,
was created against the backdrop of my
husband’s illness. I shared his terrible
experiences until he died of lung cancer
in June 2003.
During this time it was very
important for me to fi nd an outlet
through some of the works shown
here, including Burning Patience, and
Dust to Dust.
The second is a series of poetic,
lyrical contemplations, a kind of trip
into myself, refl ecting my thoughts, 2
feelings and perceptions.”
1. Burning Patience
2. Dust to Dust
3. Infl ammable Matter
4. Liberty
5. Moony
6. Symbiose
7. Autumn
3
4
6 | December 2004
EXPOSURE
To fi nd out more about this section, please
go to www.computerarts.co.uk/gallery/
6
5
ABOUT KARIN KUHLMANN
Karin Kuhlmann was born in
1948 and currently lives and
works in Verl, Germany. She
originally studied photography
and graphic design and has been
a commercial artist for many
years, working on a freelance
basis and for fi rms such as
Bertelsmann and Nobilia.
Kuhlmann discovered the
computer as a personal artistic
tool in 1994 and her digital work
7 has since won her a range
of awards including the 1996
Corel World Design Contest and
and other international awards.
Drawing inspiration from the
early surrealists and abstract
artists, Kuhlmann describes her
work as, “a series of inspiring
and associative organic shapes
on transparent layers, reworked
and combined to form subtle
arrangements of glowing,
transparent areas of colour and
light” and says that the fi nal
image depends entirely on
coincidence. “
Kuhlmann works with
fractals, which she describes as
“the visualized solution of a
complex mathematical
problem”, and her fondness for
this technique has led her to
work with FraxFlames, a form
of fractal that has the quality of
natural paintings, like crayons
and watercolours.”
December 2004 | 7
EXPOSURE
2
1
3
TOMI LAHDESMAKI
JOB Graphic artist
4
CONTACT [email protected]
SOFTWARE Photoshop and Illustrator
1. Pilot
“She is one bad-ass, retro, future
chick-pilot.”
2. Urban Rock
“This piece was a collection of random
pictures of musicians I collected.
I then formed them together as a band
and wanted to portray their passion for
rock music.”
3. Beaute
“The text in this piece translates as
“Beauty within darkness”. The piece
has a gothic feel to it. The two women
are taken from pictures I took of two
beautiful mannequins at a thrift store.”
4. Ladies’ Man
“The man in this illustration is the
ultimate ladies’ man. This piece aims to
celebrate him, and his company.”
8 | December 2004
EXPOSURE
BEN MCLEOD
1 JOB Freelance illustrator
CONTACT
www.giantillustration.com
SOFTWARE Photoshop
1. Decade Blending
“I used a photocopier for this piece
to overlay different images and
create the idea of merging, then
used Photoshop to add colour.”
2. Mint
“I created this image for a
burlesque night club called mint.
I used a solid mint stripe in the
background to juxtapose against
the imagery.”
3. Refl exology
2
“This image tries to convey the idea
of energy moving around the body
via the feet. I use a photocopier to
create my images, but to compose
and add colour, there’s nothing
better than Photoshop.”
3 4. McJob
“Here I used photographs, a
photocopier and graphic symbols to
illustrate low pay, low prestige and
dead-end jobs. To bring the image
together, I used Photoshop to add a
typical “fast food” colour scheme.”
GET EXPOSED
Send your work to us, along
with an explanation of your
techniques and software,
the titles of each piece, your
website details and email
address. Images should be sent
as PC or Mac TIFF or JPEG fi les,
on CD or DVD. A hard copy is
4 also a great help. We will
endeavour to return all entries
that provide an SAE. All
contributions are submitted on
the basis of a non-exclusive
worldwide licence to publish,
both in print and electronically.
Post hi-res fi les for print to:
Exposure, Computer Arts,
30 Monmouth Street,
Bath, BA1 2BW.
December 2004 | 9