Re: Creating light effects, rays, glare, streak, beam from robot eyes, etc.

[wolverine77]

Can anyone show me how to make this horizontal light beam effect -- similar to the picture pictured?

Thanks!

 

[Paul]

http://luxa.org/tutorial_electrifying_energy_beams.php

 

[wolverine77]

http://luxa.org/tutorial_electrifying_energy_beams.php

Thanks!

(that avatar is hilarious btw!)

 

[Tom Mann]

Easiest way: Create a round blob of color with soft edges and then stretch it out horizontally. You may want to apply a curves or levels adjustment layer after stretching to adjust the peak brightness and how it falls off.
One tutorial for this method here: http://designreviver.com/tutorials/how-to-create-brilliant-light-streaks-in-photoshop/

Much more flexible, artistic method: Use the pen tool.
Some tutorials:
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-create-light-streaks-in-photoshop-tutorial/
http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/light-streaks/

HTH,

Tom M

 

[Paul]

Thanks!

(that avatar is hilarious btw!)

No worries and yeah was a funny one, old hat now though

 

[wolverine77]

Easiest way: Create a round blob of color with soft edges and then stretch it out horizontally. You may want to apply a curves or levels adjustment layer after stretching to adjust the peak brightness and how it falls off.
One tutorial for this method here: http://designreviver.com/tutorials/how-to-create-brilliant-light-streaks-in-photoshop/

Much more flexible, artistic method: Use the pen tool.
Some tutorials:
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-create-light-streaks-in-photoshop-tutorial/
http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/light-streaks/

HTH,

Tom M

Thanks a lot!

 

[Tom Mann]

Here's a quick and dirty example of applying the first method that I mentioned (plus some enhancements) to the robot, Gort, from the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still" movie.

1. I started with a small, circular red dot.

2. I then stretched it horizontally and shrank it vertically.

3. Made a copy and applied Gaussian blur to the copy, then adjusted the opacity of that layer to about 50%, and merged it with the result of step #2. Adjusted "Levels" to taste.

4. Repeated step #3 with successively larger blur radii a couple more times,

5. Adjusted the width and height as appropriate for Gort.

6. Turned on Gort's layer. Cloned away the bright lights in the background because they would interfere with the red light streak.

6. Switched the blending mode of the final result for the red light streak to "Dissolve".

7. Added some fun rainbows, rays of light, some large radius unsharp masking -- things to make the image look not so sterile.


Before:



After:



HTH,

Tom M

 

[Paul]

My old mate Klaatu:mrgreen:

 

[wolverine77]

Here's a quick and dirty example of applying the first method that I mentioned (plus some enhancements) to the robot, Gort, from the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still" movie.

1. I started with a small, circular red dot.

2. I then stretched it horizontally and shrank it vertically.

3. Made a copy and applied Gaussian blur to the copy, then adjusted the opacity of that layer to about 50%, and merged it with the result of step #2. Adjusted "Levels" to taste.

4. Repeated step #3 with successively larger blur radii a couple more times,

5. Adjusted the width and height as appropriate for Gort.

6. Turned on Gort's layer. Cloned away the bright lights in the background because they would interfere with the red light streak.

6. Switched the blending mode of the final result for the red light streak to "Dissolve".

7. Added some fun rainbows, rays of light, some large radius unsharp masking -- things to make the image look not so sterile.


Before:

View attachment 56957

After:

View attachment 56958

HTH,

Tom M

Thank you!!!