Computer Arts (November 2004)

94 Pages·2004·19.096 MB·English

CREATE
OUR
PHOTOSHOP MASTERCLASS COVER
CREATE GREAT Tutorial
starts p24
TEXTURES
Combine vector graphics and photos
layer by layer to build stylish imagery
ON TEST
Apple Motion 1.0
Wacom Intuos3
Cinema 4D 9
FLASH
FLUID ANIMATION
Transform digital video into
cool hand-drawn movies
PHOTOSHOP
BURN EFFECTS
Design scorching images
with layers and a hairdryer
ILLUSTRATOR
VINTAGE ARTWORK
Age your images using
type, colour and shading
Printed in the UK Outside the UK and Éire £6 C$19.95
NOVEMBER 2004 £6
1 1
9 771740 900004
COVER ILLUSTRATION: SCOTT HANSEN
EDITORIAL
HELLO!
Issue 102 of Computer Arts is here and looks fantastic, with a
EDITORIAL 01225 442 244 superb cover illustration by resident Photoshop expert Scott
GILLIAN CARSON SENIOR EDITOR Hansen. Scott has produced one fi ne illustration after another for
gDiOllMian H.cAaLrLso DnE@PfuUtTuYr eEnDeItT.cOoR.uk our Group Test section over the last few issues, and each time his
[email protected] images kept getting better and more detailed. So much so, in fact,
RODDY LLEWELLYN SENIOR ART EDITOR
[email protected] that we even started wondering how he produced some of those
VICKY MITCHARD DESIGNER textures and effects! That’s it, we said, he must do a cover tutorial
[email protected]
SOPHIE EMBLEY PRODUCTION EDITOR for us. So here it is, an amazing marriage of vector illustration and
[email protected] photography that clearly shows why Scott is in such demand. Turn
JOSEPH RUSS NEW MEDIA CONTENT EDITOR
[email protected] to page 24 to fi nd out how he put the piece together using custom
MATT GALLIMORE SENIOR CD EDITOR
[email protected] textures, scans and one high-res stock image.
SIMON HOLLAND CD EDITOR Also, if you thought Linear Blending was a little passé, then
[email protected]
think again. We asked the king of the Linear Blend, McFaul, for his
CD PROBLEMS 01225 822 743 top tips on using blending to create striking perspective effects.
[email protected]
Turn to page 40 where he’ll show you just how versatile this
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
technique is and how to create a stunning illustration from scratch.
Jason Arber, Graeme Aymer, Robert Carney,
Ryan Clark, Alistair Dabbs, Scott Hansen, Andy Kay, Plus we’ve got a free, full version of Amapi 6 and some great
Derek Lea, Paul Lovett, McFaul, Ed Ricketts,
Chris Schmidt, Luke Whittaker, Susan Wright. illustration tips from US graphic designers Asterik Studio.
PHOTOGRAPHY Katharine Lane-Sims
PRINT William Gibbons GILLIAN CARSON SENIOR EDITOR
REPRO Radstock Reproductions Ltd [email protected]
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Computer Arts magazine, Future Publishing,
30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW
01225 442 244 ISDN 01225 789 293
SUBSCRIPTION QUERIES 0870 444 8455
OVERSEAS SUBSCRIPTIONS [phone]
EMAIL [email protected]
ILLUSTRATION IN THE MAG
ADVERTISING 01225 442 244
ANDREW BRAIN advertising manager
[email protected]
GEORGE LUCAS senior sales executive SCOTT HANSEN
[email protected]
JAMES BLAXTER classifi ed sales executive Look, no Illustrator or Freehand! Here Scott demonstrates
[email protected] just how versatile Photoshop’s Gradient Masking tools and
DIGITAL DIVISION Blend modes can be – by subtly blending vector and pixel
DOM BEAVEN publishing director elements to create a suitably eye-catching illustration.
KELLEY CORTEN publisher
FIONA TULLY marketing manager INFO: www.iso50.com
CLARE TOVEY production manager
PAUL MCINTYRE group art editor
SARAH WILLIAMS software copyright co-ordinator
PRODUCTION TWELVE:TEN LUKE WHITTAKER
DAVID MATHEWS ad design point of contact Softimage XSI 4.0’s recent Super-smooth animation
KATTY PIGOTT production co-ordinator
MIKE THORNE commercial print buyer price cut inspired a design by – Luke’s informative Flash
CIRCULATION & LICENSING this Nottingham agency. how-to reveals all.
RICHARD JEFFERIES circulation manager INFO: www.twelveten.com INFO: www.lukewhittaker.com
PETE STOTHARD head of international licensing
SIMON WEAR overseas licensing director
Computer Arts has licences in China, France, Italy, MCFAUL PAUL LOVETT
Poland, and Spain
McFaul extols the virtues of Paul sculpted this fi ctitious
UK DISTRIBUTION
Photoshop’s oft-maligned device using 3D app Amapi 6,
Marketforce Ltd 020 7633 3300
Kings Reach Tower, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LS Linear Blending modes. provided on the cover CD.
THE FUTURE NETWORK INFO: www.mcfaul.biz INFO: www.virtualpeach.co.uk
ROGER PARRY non-executive chairman
GREG INGHAM chief executive DEREK LEA KERRY ROPER
ROB PRICE managing director UK
JOHN BOWMAN group fi nance director Derek uses Photoshop alpha Kerry’s bold piece tackles
T: [phone]
URL: www.thefuturenetwork.plc.uk channels, a hairdryer and fax the issue of fi le compatibility.
Computer Arts is a member of the Audit paper to work his magic… INFO: www.youare
Bureau of Circulations Jan-Dec 2003: 22,888 INFO: www.dereklea.com beautiful.co.uk
Computer Arts is the registered trademark of Future
Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks
and copyrights in this issue are recognised, and are RYAN CLARK TADO
acknowledged where possible. If we have failed to credit your copyright
please contact us – we’re happy to correct any oversight. Material Illustrator and Photoshop Think PDF software, think
submitted is accepted on the basis of a worldwide right to publish in
printed or electronic form. All contents © Future Publishing 2004. enable Ryan to add a modern giant octopus and pink
Future Publishing is part of The Future Network PLC. twist to a vintage insignia. bubbles… Yep, it’s Tado time!
The Future Network produces carefully targeted
specialist magazines for people who share a passion. INFO: www.asterikstudio.com INFO: www.tado.co.uk
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 Ë
UK, US, France and Italy. Over 80 international editions of our CONTACT
magazines are also published in 28 other countries across the world.
Computer Arts, Future Publishing, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW PHONE: [phone]
The Future Network PLC is a public company quoted on the London
Stock Exchange (symbol: FNET). EMAIL: ca.mail.futurenet.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS: 0870 444 8455 OVERSEAS: [phone]
November 2004 | 3
068

REVIEWS TUTORIALS
WHAT’S HOT GET TO GRIPS WITH
AND WHAT’S NOT? THREE TOP APPS
P78 MOTION 1.0 P56 PHOTOSHOP
Apple’s highly-anticipated release is ”Age” your work with a parchment
everything we expected look, created using thermal fax paper,
a hairdryer and Photoshop
P80 EYECANDY 5: TEXTURES
Alien Skin’s ten confi gurable plug-ins will P60 ILUSTRATOR
prove a boon to both 2D and 3D designers Adapt an ancient heraldic insignia to
refl ect more modern design principles
P82 CINEMA 4D 9
Ngon support and an amazing cloth P64 FLASH MX
simulator come with Maxon’s recent update Use real video footage to bring an
original and eye-catching fl uidity to
P83 SWIFT 3D 4 your Flash animation
Electric Rain’s accomplished Flash 3D tool
has matured well

FEATURES
P84 WACOM INTUOS3
This re-designed graphics tablet comes WHAT’S HAPPENING
with Express Keys and great Pen system IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
P85 COREL PAINTER 9
060
Corel’s new release narrows the divide
between digital and real-life painting

P86 BENQ FP231W
This huge 23-inch monitor delivers superb
high-res images at a relatively low price
P87 BOOKS
A round-up of the digital arts tomes that
took our creative fancy this month
030
GROUP TEST
WE ROAD TEST
FIVE OF THE BEST
P30 CA INTERVIEW
Bloc Media: “We just want to have
fun…” say co-founder Rick Palmer and
creative directorJohn Denton
P50 ICON
The Great Wave: An in-depth look
Katsuhika Hokusai’s masterpiece 056
P68 EXPERT ADVICE
Which fi le format? Save space and
time with our hands-on advice
P72 GET STARTED WITH...
P88 PDF CREATION SOFTWARE Storyboarding: The benefi ts of SUBSCRIBE TURN TO PAGE 46
There are a number of low-cost planning ahead are plain to see Subscribe today and make sure you get an
alternatives to Adobe Acrobat if you want exclusive collector’s copy delivered straight
to create reliable PDFs – fi ve pretenders P114 CURRICULUM VITAE to your door.
battle for the top spot Al Heighton: This Doncaster-based Just visit www.computerarts.co.uk or call our
graphic designer displays his work subscription hotline on 0870 444 8455
4 | November 2004
NOVEMBER ISSUE 102
PAGE 40Ë
LINEAR
BLENDING
The pariah of many a snooty creative, Linear 064
Blending can still help you create powerful
work in Photoshop, if used wisely

ON THE CD
THIS ISSUE’S
SOFTWARE &
RESOURCES
AMAPI 6 (MAC+PC)
Use this superb
CAD app to model
the device featured
in our CD tutorial
on page 104
AMAPI 6 VIDEO
TRAINING
(MAC+PC)
024
Professional animator Gary
Phillips reveals a few handy Amapi
modelling tips (requires QuickTime)
67 PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS (MAC+PC)
Streamline your workfl ow with this batch of
time-saving Photoshop actions
SWIFT 3D 4 (PC ONLY)
Enjoy this 30-day trial of the Flash-
orientated 3D modeller
GENUINE FRACTALS (MAC+PC)
Re-size your images without losing quality
Plus a host of demos, plug-ins and more!
ÁPAGE 24
GREAT TEXTURES
Integrating pixel and vector elements in Photoshop is
now easier than ever. Scott Hansen shows you how
November 2004 | 5
EXPOSURE
EXPOSURE
Send your work to Computer Arts and be seen by thousands!
TIM ELLIS 1
JOB Freelance illustrator
CONTACT www.debutart.com
SOFTWARE Photoshop
1. Redactive Media “I used a
magnet to communicate the idea of
attracting people for this illo for an
article about attracting employees
into a Purchasing Department.”
2. The Guardian “Here, a badminton
racquet photo was manipulated with
a Halftone Pattern fi lter and the net
graphic built using a Note Paper fi lter
with Graininess and Relief set at 0.”
3. Global Council magazine cover
“This piece gave me the chance to
introduce new weed characters, a
drawing of my own and soil textures
put through a Halftone Pattern fi lter.”
4. The Guardian “A piece to
illustrate civil servants working
safely at home.” 2 3
5. Caspian Publishing “I was left to
come up with a visual idea for an
illustration to depict debt packages.”
6. New Scientist “It was fun creating
these self-building Nanobots.”
7. The Guardian “A literal focus and
hand-rendered type illustrated the
IT focus within local authorities.”
4
6 | November 2004
EXPOSURE
To fi nd out more about this section, please
go to www.computerarts.co.uk/gallery/
5
ABOUT TIM ELLIS
7 Tim Ellis decided at 14 years of
age that he wanted to become
an illustrator and spent time
cutting out illustrations he liked
from the back of his mum’s
Radio Times.
His determination for
6 recognition surfaced from the
trauma he suffered, aged ten,
when disqualifi ed from his
primary school art competition
“for tracing a Tintin and Snowy
picture, which I had skilfully
drawn freehand.”
After graduating from a
degree in Illustration at APU,
Ellis completed a post-grad and
MA at Central Saint Martins in
London, which, he says, “gave
me selfi sh time to explore my
visual world and strengthen my
visual identity.”
Ellis has been working as a
freelance illustrator since 2001
and has worked on a broad
range of magazines and
newspapers, including a weekly
spot for The Times magazine,
which ran for 14 months.
Recent clients have included
Radio Times, Rieker, NCH and
Microsoft and he is currently
working on illustrations for NTL.
He is also a sessional
lecturer at the Surrey Institute
and enjoys making artist’s
books – his latest title Love
Coffee is currently available at
Magma books in both London
and Manchester.
November 2004 | 7
EXPOSURE
2
1
3
VON BORLE
JOB Freelance illustrator 4
CONTACT [email protected]
SOFTWARE Photoshop
1. Melting “Through this piece, I
wanted to get across the experience
and atmosphere of a gig. I paint images
by hand in parts, before taking them
into Photoshop and adding colour,
random textures and imagery.”
2. Nina Simone “Here, I played around
with dimensions and mark-making
techniques – a small tribute to the high
priestess of soul.”
3. Kings of Leon “I used old Post-it
notes as the basis for this hand-painted
portrait of the Kings of Leon. Despite
heavy use of Photoshop, I try to ensure
that my work remains true to its more
hands-on creation.”
4. Barber “This image was taken from
an article in the Guardian about the
experience of going to the barbers. The
young come out looking more stupid
than when they went in, and the bald
read FHM.”
8 | November 2004
EXPOSURE
DAVID SANKEY
1 JOB Freelance illustrator and artist
CONTACT
[email protected]
SOFTWARE Photoshop, Bryce 5,
2 Poser, Cinema 4D
1. Memphis Belle “This piece was
created using Poser, Photoshop and
a Wacom graphics tablet and was
inspired by great artists such as
Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren and
George Petty.”
2. Miami Clipper “I’ve always had a
passion for art, utilising a variety of
mediums and techniques. The
series of WWII ‘Nose Art’ images
are really an extension of my
interest in the period pin-up art.”
3. Super Mouse “I created this piece
using acrylics, a scanner and
Photoshop. I’ve only been working
with 2D and 3D apps since
December 2001, so I guess I’m still
very much an amateur.”
4. Destiny’s Child “This piece was
created in Photoshop, but I also
have a genuine interest in the
history of the USAAF and on
3 occasion hand paint the leather
fl ying jackets of the period.”
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
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,
4 30 Monmouth Street,
Bath, BA1 2BW.
November 2004 | 9
STAR LETTER: BLUE MOVIES Some weeks after this I went to see what
uQark had to say. At the bar, talking to the
poor sod who had taken a real battering
I direct and shoot my own If there is a way to manage blue or green – as these colours from the audience, I asked “What about
movies, and I am currently keying with just one of the three don’t appear in fl esh tones. overhanging punctuation?”
working on a new script. I use programs mentioned here, could You say you currently use The reply? “We’ve drastically
AVer EZ Capture,Pinnacle you please let me know? AdobePremiere, so why not try restructured the whole organisation, but not
Studio v9, Adobe Premiere, Avid Timos Halkias Premiere Pro, which features a sorted overhanging punctuation...”
Free DV and VoiceSFX, as well keying effect that can be applied Robbie Sparks
+
as a DVD with some additional rGeenscreenb/luescreen or to your footage. Alternatively, if
+
movie editing software. I also chromakeying, as it’s often you’re running an earlier Gavin Drake, Quark’s UK
have a demo version of Swift known, removes elements or version, you may need to get marketing manager responds:
D3 , that enables me to design my creates a transparency based on your hands on an add-on, such “uQark is making major moves to get
company logo, etc. chrominance or colour, typically as the excellent Boris F.X closer to its customers, to ensure that this
During the last year I have type of feedback is fi ltered to the correct
been searching for a program to teams within uQark and acted on.
PRIZE: free training at Space, London
work with greenscreen ando/r Looking specifi cally at the issue of
As the Star Letter winner, you can choose a day’s training at Space.
bluescreen, but have been unable overhanging punctuation, I am pleased to
Co-founded by Bridget Riley, Space is one of the largest visual arts
to fi nd anything. I would be say that this is defi nitely fi rmly on our radar.
resources in the Capital, and offers a variety of courses ranging from
really grateful if you could I can’t at this point say which version it will
Photoshop and Final Cut Pro to how to sell your work, tax and self-
suggest any reasonably priced employment, and marketing strategies for designers. Space also has a be implemented in, but it is in our plans.”
programs that would handle large range of high-end equipment including video-editing facilities,
keying (greenscreenb/luescreen), technical support staff and exhibition spaces.
either stand-alone, or as add-ons For more information go to: *“WHAT’S THE DEAL?”
www.spacestudios.org.uk
forStudio,Premiere, or Free DV. First of all, many congratulations on your
1t00h issue !I can see why you guys have
made it this far – your magazine is great,
and packed with inspiring tutorials.
*QUARK QUIRK
But I must comment on your latest Flash
It was interesting to read the article in tutorial (“Typographic animation”, page
issue 1 00about uQarkPXress (“uQark 85, issue 1)00. It combined actionscript
draws the battle lines”, page )02 . I have and MXL, which I was desperate to learn,
useduQarkPXress since it became a but boy was I disappointed!
viable alternative to conventional It only covered parts of the project,
typesetting and artwork and believed it to leaving a lot of holes and questions. Also,
be the saviour of my career. the fi nished project included on the cover
As a typographer in advertising I CD didn’t match up with what was built
worked with operators who had served an within the magazine. The tutorial confused
apprenticeship and set type as an art. We me and didn’t even show how to animate
badgered all of the typesetting houses to the type !What’s the deal?
buy huge libraries of fonts (which back in Gabriel Alva
the eighties would have cost about Senior graphic designer
,005£)000 and always expected, and paid
GOLDEN TICKET WINNER +
for, well set type and immaculate artwork. We’ve had a lot of feedback about this
Congratulations to Sarah Holt from Cheshire I went to a uQark seminar in 199 0and tutorial, most of which has been positive.
(pictured above), our third and fi nal issue 1 00 someone asked, “What about overhanging But some of you were left a little confused.
oGlden Ticket winner. A full copy of Adobe’s punctuation?” – a small, but really We did not provide an exact copy of the
Creative Suite Premium Edition should be important, detail. uQark ’s conceited Planet of the Drums site, that would have
winging its way to you very soon. reply? “What about it?” been inappropriate. But we did provide a
That means there’s just one ticket left, but Move the clock forward to 3002and I working model of the navigation that was
sorry folks, we’ve now hit the competition took a look at InDesign, got the same identical in appearance and function to the
deadline. So if you’re lucky enough to fi nd a feeling I had about the Mac and the original. The animation was not created
ticket, sorry, but it’s no longer valid. Turn to page advertising industry and realised it was using timeline tweening but dynamic
93 for full details of this month’s competition. time for a change. scripted animation.
10 | November2004
NEXT ISSUE IN
PHOTOSHOP • SOFTWARE • TUTORIALS • NEWS• REVIEWS
3D MASTERCLASS
CINEMA 4D
DON’T
Create and animate this pinball image MISS
using Maxon’s professional 3D package
ISSUE 103
In such a short tutorial there wasn’t enough
space to include this detail, but the scripts are
provided and you can make use of them or modify
them as you wish.

*VUE D’ESPRIT WOES
I became a Computer Arts fanatic two years ago
and since then missing an issue has been akin to
experiencing a minor personal disaster. As an art
director working with a top Nigerian ad agency, I
have even whipped up support for your publication
among my colleagues.
Your tutorials and free software have been very
helpful and I was looking forward to receiving my
ALSO IN ISSUE 103
free copy of Vue d’Esprit .31 as part of your 1t00h
PHOTOSHOP
issue, but when I tried to launch it after installation
More tips and tricks from our panel of global design experts
the application would not respond. Instead it
requested the “correct” serial number.
ON THE CD...
Worse still, the zip fi le for the -03day demo of
Vue d’Esprit 4 was full of errors and when
launched, turned out to be a trial version, no
different from the one you gave away recently.
I was very disappointed, but hope that it was an
error and that E-on will correct it on the next CD.
That said, I think Vue d’Esprit is a great product
andComputer Arts the best digital creative
magazine on the planet. Congrats on your 1t00h
edition anniversary and thanks for giving digital
creatives a voice. Please keep up the good work.
Olusegun Adegboyega-Edun
SO&U Saatchi and Saatchi, Nigeria.
+
It looks like there’s been some confusion about EXCLUSIVE 60-DAY TRIAL
XARA X1
the installation process. In order to install Vue
d’Esprit .31 LE you fi rst need to register your details
An exclusive extended trial version of this vector-based illustration
at www.e-onsoftware.comp/roductsv/ue/3
package. Plus: we show you how to create a stylish airbrush illustration
limitededition. A serial number will then be emailed
All contents are subject to change
to you, which can be entered on installation.
The problems you’ve had may have been caused
by having both Vue .31 LE and the Vue 4 Pro ON SALE 29 OCTOBER 2004
trial installed at the same time. Try uninstalling
version .31 before you install the trial of version 4.
November 2004 | 11