CSC/FAR 020, Computer Graphics, February 9-11, 2010

1. CSC/FAR 020, Computer Graphics, February 9-11, 2010 Dr. Dale E. Parson http://faculty.kutztown.edu/parson Outline for week 4, Assignment #3

2. Hiding the Camera Text • Get a new CropLayersSelect folder from my Outbox. • Use Magic Wand to select the text. • NVLakeFireRoadOpens.JPG • In “New Selection mode” move the selection to adjacent pixels. • Copy adjacent pixels, use magic wand to reselect the text, then paste. • Merge the layers. • Use Clone Tool to fix up the final image.

3. Cut / Copy Moving a Selection • Select, then use Move tool to destructively move the pixels. • Select, then use Alt/Option Move tool to destructively copy the pixels. • Use Channels palette to: • Save selection as channel. • Load channel as selection. • Alpha channels are saved as part of Photoshop file.

4. Copying pixels between images • The source pixels are matched to the resolution of the receiving document. • Copy image areas between PHL #403 and #402. • Image becomes smaller when moved to higher resolution, larger when moved to smaller resolution. • Use up or down sampling before copy / paste between images.

5. Adding layers • Add a series of layers from other photos. • Select all -> Copy -> Paste (across image files). • Drag a layer from one image to another • Use cloudy Kutztown sky to fill transparent sky layer. • Size layers using crop tool set to target image dimensions. • Stack additional, semi-transparent monochrome layers.

6. Building a Composite Image • dali.psd consists of a series of layers: • Copy background to a layer edit cut away the sky / clouds into transparency. • Insert a layer of clouds with 100% opacity and fill below the above, rock-and-desert layer. • Insert small, cropped images into the sky, convert to Image -> Adjustments -> Black & White, then lower Opacity and Fill.

7. Adding a Layer Mask • After getting a fairly dark, high contrast monochrome face layer, go to Layers palette and add a Layer Mask. • Select Gradient Tool (with Paintbucket) • Linear, black / white tool Options. • Drawing a line using the gradient tool applies that gradient within the Layer Mask.

8. Blending Seams • Set foreground to white, background black. • Get a fresh Layer Mask for the face. • Select the Brush Tools and set its options. • With the Layer Mask selected, brush the seams. • A lower Flow value uses a lighter touch. • Deleting the Layer Mask removes it effects.

9. Merging Photoshop Images • Use Bridge to browse CropLayersSelect / 20090927. • Select left, mid and right JPEG images. • Tools -> Photoshop -> Photomerge. • Accept defaults. • The two PSD files in this Folder are the output of Photomerge. 360.psd is an attempt at a circular panorama.

10. Pixels outside the Canvas • Image -> Reveal All expands canvas to hidden pixels. • Select -> All, Image Crop to remove outside-canvas pixels. • Merging layers retains pixels outside the canvas area. • Merging a layer with the background deletes pixels outside the canvas.

11. Pattern Tool • Copy and crop an image into another document, then Edit -> Define Pattern. • Pattern Stamp (with Clone Stamp) lets you paint one image onto another. • Uncheck “Impressionist” and check “Aligned” to get a repetitive, wallpaper effect.

12. Compositional Aesthetics in Image Editing (borrowed from Gestalt Psychology) • Proximity • We group image elements that are close together. • Similarity • We group image elements that share features. • Common Fate • We group image elements that change together. • Good Continuation • Group elements that vary continuously (no boundaries).

13. Compositional Aesthetics in Image Editing (continued) • Closure • We fill in lost fragments to complete a group. • Figure-Ground Relationship • (Foreground / Background) • Figure is differentiated from the Ground. • Past experience • Symbolic imagery, representational objects, text.. • Applying multiple principles • Compose an image using these abstractions.

14. Assignment 3, Due February 18 at 5:50 PM • Create a composite PSD image from multiple image files in folder FirstLastComposite. • First and Last are your name. • Create a prominent Foreground Layer. • Hide the default Photoshop Background. • In dali.psd the sky-less rock layer is the Foreground. • Create a not-prominent Background Layer. • In dali.psd the clouds serve as background. • Opacity is 100% in both layers. • Part of the Foreground is Cut away (transparent).

15. Features in this Assignment • Include additional layers between Foreground and Background. • Use Layer Transparency and Fill, and Layer Masks to stack these layers into the composite image. • Use Cropping and Size / Resolution of original images before copying them into the composite. These images need not all fill the canvas (Old Main in my image).

16. Features in this Assignment • Include an image with some original feature, such as text, that you must eliminate while keeping its area in the final image. • Similar to my camera date / time stamp. • Have at least one unwanted feature that you cannot simply crop out, because you want to maintain its area in the image. Make its disappearance seamless when zoomed out. • Cropping some unwanted material is good, too.

17. 10% of grade for Composition • If your composition has visual Unity, Good Foreground / Background gestalt, and focuses the viewer’s attention, it earns these points. • We will examine examples from Fall 2009. • Otherwise you must turn in at least three alternative “final PSD files” that explore different ways to compose using layers. • Do not just make a bunch of arbitrary edits. • Strive for a unified effect. Tell me what compositional effect you were trying to achieve with each PSD file.

18. What to turn in by February 18? • A zip archive of folder FirstLastComposite to Inbox. • Make sure to include all original JPEG image files without modifications. • Include your PSD Final image file or up to three files with the main layers intact. • Please merge layers from trivial edits. • I will deduct points for layers that do not have a distinct visual identity. • Make sure to write a thorough log file with your name in it. Identify your layers using file names.