Triptych Workshop & Resource Kit

Hi Folks,

The animated GIF file below gives you taster of what you can create after viewing the Triptych Workshop Tutorial Video and downloading the accompanying Resource Kit.

For information on the history of the Triptych, see Wikipedia Link

Triptych anigif

You can download the resource kit here:

Triptych Resource Kit and the image here.

Hope you find the video useful & entertaining – please make full use of the resource kit in your creative endeavours including commercial use. All the resources were created by me from scratch with further effects and borders added using Smart Photo Editor – my special thanks go to Superdave and Vivienne Li for their lovely border effects used in making this resource kit.

It would be nice to see some examples of how you use these resources which can be posted in the Smart Photo Editor Forum (if you are a member).

Kind regards,

Andrew

The Card Workshop – Tutorial Video & Resource Pack

Hi Folks,

Further to my advanced notice, ‘The Card Workshop – Tutorial Video & Resource Pack’ is now available.

Following on from the recent tutorial videos and resource packs showing you how to make your own calendars and how to unlock the full potential of Smart Photo Editor, this video shows you how to create your own cards, birthday cards, get well cards, sorry your leaving cards…and so on. The international A4 paper format was chosen for the purposes of the tutorial, but viewers are encouraged to make their own templates as required.

Here is a TASTER of what you can do with the kit:

anigif

It is quite important to download the ‘Resource Pack’ that supports this Tutorial Video – just click on the link below:

The Card Workshop Resource Pack

Tutorial Video

Hope you find these ideas useful and the video enjoyable.

Kind regards

Andrew

Learn to Unlock the Full Potential of SPE – Part 1 & Part 2 – Video Tutorials

As a result of creating my recent Calendar Templates, I thought it was time to UNLOCK some of the deeper potential of SPE. I saw that it was possible to go in directions not necessarily explored before through the use of the Fantastic SPE features, such as the Composite Feature. As I explored the possibilities I was AMAZED to realize that, with the aid of a ‘HELPING’ hand, SPE users could take much more control of outcomes and stamp their own personality on their own artwork results. The ideas that are  behind my approach are probably best suited to users who have a good working knowledge of Smart Photo Editor.

The ‘Helping Hand’ comes in the form of a resource pack of over 500 MB of graphic images, backgrounds, overlays, and so on.

To LAUNCH my new approach, I’ve created two Advanced Tutorial Videos (with more to follow) and made available a large amount of resource material under the title ‘Creative Kit One’ (more packs to follow in the future).

The tutorial videos (Part 1 & 2) are aimed at experienced users of Smart Photo Editor – therefore only the KEY elements of processes are shown. It is assumed that the gaps can be filled through the viewer’s pre-knowledge, experience & understanding. It is an ADVANCED tutorial

The videos aim to UNLOCK some of the deeper potential of SPE and are supported by over 500 MB of graphic resources created by me from scratch in a variety of drawing & paint programs. Especially in the ‘Backgrounds’ folders, further processing took place using existing SPE Effects from a variety of contributors including me – to these contributors, I would like to offer my thanks.

The resources referred to in the video can be downloaded here:

CREATIVE KIT ONE zip file

Gary and Adelaida from Anthropics have kindly set up another approach to downloading the resources that will give you more choice – thanks to both Gary and Adelaida! The new ‘Gallery Style’ link is shown below:

CREATIVE KIT ONE – GALLERY STYLE

NOTE

You may use these resources freely for personal or commercial use. No need to link to my Blog, nor acknowledge use of my work. Adapt them to suit your own needs.

After downloading the resources it might be wise to create a folder called, ‘Creative Kit One’ and organize it similar to mine containing 14 resource folders:

* 7 x 5 Frames
* A4 Backgrounds
* Colored Satin Overlays
* Colored Textured Overlays
* Distressed Colored Overlays
* Film Border Colored
* Gradients
* Graphics
* Multi-Colored Overlays
* Paint Marks
* People Silhouettes
* Solid Colors
* Square Backgrounds
* Watercolor Overlays

Learn to Unlock the Full Potential of SPE – Part One

Learn to Unlock the Full Potential of SPE – Part Two

To get the BEST from this video it is important to view Part 1 – ‘Learn to Unlock the Full Potential of SPE – Part 1′. Part 1 is the KEY tutorial that UNLOCKS a fuller appreciation of the POWER of Smart Photo Editor.

Make Your Own Calendar – Free Templates

I had hoped to create effects to produce calendar pages at the request of users, but unfortunately SPE doesn’t really support the concept of having a fixed size image in which your original image can be posted. I tried all sorts of ideas, but eventually decided that it might be better to to use the Composite Feature, which in fact, gives users more control.

To accompany this Tutorial Video are 8 sets of ‘Calendar’ templates that can be downloaded by clicking on the link shown below each example template.

1. Calendar Crumpled Paper 1-28

Calendar Crumpled Paper

2. Calendar Black 1-29

Calendar Black

3. Calendar Pink 1-30

Calendar Pink

4. Calendar Watercolor 1-31

Calendar Watercolor

5. Calendar Leaf Skeletons 2-28

Calendar Leaf Skeletons

6. Calendar Pastel Splatter 2-29

Calendar Pastel Splatter

7. Calendar Torn Denim 2-30

Calendar Torn Denim

8. Calendar Spilt Paint 2-31

Calendar Spilt Paint

You can download the Masters here:

Calendar Master Blanks

Here is the Code Template:

Code Template

Hope you find the video & resources useful.

Regards,

Andrew

Using the Composite Feature to Take Control of Effects

This video tutorial is aimed at experienced users who want a bit more CONTROL over effect parameters.

The idea is to apply effects to a BASE image (which could be your original image or a processed original) and save each result for later processing.

You can save singly applied or combined effect variations as required.

Once you have created a few variations you can load the BASE image and apply the image base image variations as layers using Smart Photo Editor’s Composite Feature. This will allow users more scope in changing Blending Modes and Opacity. You can use one layer and one variation at a time or combine variations by using multiple layers.

Prior knowledge is assumed and therefore not all aspects are covered in depth. The presentation speeds through a number of options without prompts towards the end of the video letting the viewer simply OBSERVE the process.

Once you have achieved a particular outcome using the Composite feature you can continue as normal, if desired, to use the effects gallery and apply further effects to your latest result. You can SAVE a result at any time and perhaps use that as a new BASE image. Likewise you can use MASKING techniques to further expand the possibilities. You still have all the other SPE tools available to you after using the Composite feature.

This approach is one of the ways in which I achieve personalised outcomes. Many worry about applying Gallery Effects as it seems to them to be cheating. This approach allows users to put their own stamp on the resultant artwork as they play a major role in the creative process.

It is an exciting approach that reveals many happy surprises as you use this technique to create UNIQUE works of ART!

Enjoy!

Kind regards,

Andrew

 

 

SPE Tips & Tricks – Thinify

This  short tutorial was created in response to an SPE Forum question that asked about a ‘Thinify’ effect. The video is aimed at  experienced users, but it may also be of benefit to relatively new users who wish to expand their knowledge.

Currently, the functionality of Smart Photo Editor does not include a Thinify tool. However, it occurred to me that we can simulate the effect using the ‘Montage & Composite’ features and, in fact, we can thinify, stretch, and distort our image to change  its aspect ratio. The example in the video applies the technique to a portrait and, although subtly used, it does a good job.

Note, that in some images where the background is important you will need to be careful how you apply the technique as it not only alters the subject matter but also distorts the background. You can avoid this by separating the subject from the background using masking techniques and layers.

Regards,

Andrew

Eye Candy

This is just a bit of FUN – thought I would show you an animated gif of abstract art I created using only Smart Photo Editor and only my own (andrewb2012) effect contributions.

The guitar is my handmade Farida Parlour and I photographed it in my garden laid on white paper earlier today – it was relatively shadowless which suited my purpose.

I don’t intend to tell you how each was created, I would rather encourage you to experiment yourself. I suggest that the images in the animation work because the subject is quite simple and minimalistic and lends itself to the processes I used. This is where my heart lies – towards the abstract with a hint of realism.

The main reasons for this article is to show the wide scope of processing that can be done in Smart Photo Editor.

Abstract Art Animation

I posted the same Gif Image in the Smart Photo Editor Forum and a dear friend of mine DBenterprises suggested that theimages might look good on a poster – well here is a sample of what could be done.

page 1

page 2

page 3

page 4

Anyway, have FUN!

Kind regards,

Andrew

Classic Selective Color on Black & White

This simple tutorial video is aimed at users who want to create ‘Classic Selective Color’ images on Black & White. Although, a little prior knowledge is assumed, most users, including beginners, should be able to use the  ideas in their own creations.

The transformation is shown step-by-step and the original image lends itself to this type of processing, as it works well with block colors.

Not a lot more to say about this other than encourage you to try the technique for yourself.

Once you have viewed the video you will sense that you can use any effect on the background – not just black and white effects. Give this a try too.

Kind regards,

Andrew

Prototype Effect for Effect Designers to Develop – Tutorial Video

This video tutorial is aimed at experienced Smart Photo Editor users who have previously created basic effects.

The tutorial clearly shows you how to build the prototype effect shown in the video using a step-by-step approach.

Underpinning the design is the combined use of ‘Solid Color’ and ‘Place and Merge’ nodes to create adjustable color overlays that are ultimately blended with the original image.

Users are INVITED to try making the effect for themselves and DEVELOPING it by making improved or altered versions.

As always, I hope the information proves useful to you and gives you an insight into how more complex effects are created and the thinking that lies behind them. Regards – Andrew.

If Erasing Does Not Work, Try Patching (New Concept Video)

The idea for this tutorial video stems from one of  Fotoart’s recent posts to the SPE forum. I saw that there was a distraction in his image and suggested its removal. But, I realised that the particular nature of the image would be problematic for normal erase procedures. A new concept came to mind which I have called ‘Patching’ and this video shows what I mean and how to do it.

I wish to thank Jon (aka Fotoart) for giving me permission to use his interesting image for tutorial purposes.

Jon’s website link: http://500px.com/fotoartista

This video is offered as an extension concept to erasing which should be the first port of call in attempting to remove unwanted objects.

Hope you find my approach interesting and useful.

Kind regards,

Andrew