Sphere Tutorial

Chinablue · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: Sphere Tutorial

Sphere Tutorial

Every time I’ve used a sphere in one of my Challenge images, someone always asks what program did I use to make it, I always use Photoshop. So, I guess it’s time for a PS Sphere tutorial. There are dozens of ways to make a sphere, but I find this works best, and hopefully it will work for you too. Here we go!

1. Open Photoshop and create a new document, any size you want with a dark 80% gray background. (Don’t worry it won’t show when we’re done) My document is 5” x 5” at 300dpi - RGB

2. Click the new layer icon on your layers pallet and make 2 new layers - Name them “Reflection” and “Sphere”. Your pallet should look like this:

3. Click on the SPHERE layer. Now choose the CIRCLE MARQUEE TOOL and while holding down your SHIFT key... left mouse click and drag towards the bottom of the document. This makes a symmetrical circle.

4. Now go to EDIT > FILL and choose 50% gray DO NOT DESELCT THE CIRCLE!

5. Now in the layers pallet change the blending mode to HARD LIGHT. Don’t worry that you can’t see the gray.

6. Now to make it look like a sphere! Go to LAYER > LAYER STYLE > GRADIENT. You can use any color combination you like. What is important here is making sure you have light to dark of the same color.

7. Now lets add a DROP SHADOW. Go to LAYER > LAYER STYLE > DROP SHADOW. Check out the settings, the SIZE is large for a diffused look.

8. Now click on the INNER SHADOW box to switch to that screen. With the SIZE set at 65 and can start to see the sphere taking shape. The Inner Shadow size will have to be adjusted to the size of your sphere. Play with the slider, and when it starts to bulge and looks like mine, you should be good to go.

9. Now click on INNER GLOW. The color should be the same “LIGHT” color from your GRADIENT. What’s important with this step is making sure you select CENTER. This gives the sphere the well rounded look.

10. Now that we have our layer styles made, go to your styles menu and save the style. You can change the colors at any time and this style can be applied to any circle you make and can be used over and over again.

11. Almost Done…Now for that nifty REFLECTION!

12. Click on the REFLECTION LAYER to activate it.

13. Go to SELECT > MODIFY > CONTRACT Set to 3

14. Set your colors to DEFAULT (d on the keyboard) and switch them with the white as your foreground (x on the keyboard)

15. You need your GRADIENT TOOL (g on the keyboard) select the FOREGROUND to TRANSPARENT gradient.
With the circle still selected and you still should be on the reflection layer... hold down your SHIFT key and LEFT mouse click just about the circle and drag to the bottom and release. You should have something close to the example image.

16. Once you have what looks like the example, we need to transform the reflection. Go to EDIT>Transform. Holding your SHIFT key drag the section from the bottom to the center of the circle.

Next while you are still in the transform step hold down your ALT key and click on the right side handle and slide to the left. Using the Alt key and moving left or right brings the sides of the circle in together at the same time.

17. LAST STEP!!! YEA!!!!! Fade the OPACITY Setting to what suits your eye.
I used 74, and with the REFLECTION layer still activated move the reflection down a few nudges (The down arrow key on your keyboard) away from the top edge of the sphere and TA DA!!!!! You should have a Sphere that looks like this!

So….there you have it boys and girls, your very own sphere and you’ve saved a STYLE that you can apply to circles in other documents to make spheres. Isn’t life and PS exciting!!

I should tell you that this tutorial was based on one from a most talented artist named Hatch. I learned a lot from this man at the Adobe Share site. You can learn tons from him and download fabulous video tutorials at his site http://www.wz2k.co.uk

Give it a try! Good luck and hugs from your Aunty China!
_________________
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle

Siggi · Moderator Joined: Apr 08, 2003 Posts: 2846 Location: spain

well, aunty china, i must admit i had been really worried about my spheres for a long time. even my best friend thought they where beyond help. i suppose she feels because hers are round and firm and mine are flat, more pancakes than spheres, i should accept them and not try to change them. but i could not give up on them as i felt that one day, like the ugly duckling, mine would also shine! i know most people prefer them round, so i am thrilled to be able to make some of my very own and show them off whenever and wherever i can!!
THANK YOU AUNTY CHINA, you have made me a very happy woman!!!
_________________
"May Your Clicking Finger Never Wither"

Tower Tales Book I, II & III

TeCetera · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:31 am Post subject:

ROFL @ Siggi.

Thanks China dear for a great tute on Spheres. Now I'll be able to use them too!
_________________
Happy accidents are sometimes the best ones.

Cormee · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:51 am Post subject: Great tutorial

This is a great tutorial thanks!

Have left it on my monitor for everyone passing to see the results.

Eftelibra · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:49 am Post subject:

Thanks, Chinablue. Great tutorial. I've never tried to make a sphere, but I feel inspired to try now ... Bring on the bubbles ...

Jedi-Wizad · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:20 am Post subject:

LMAO Siggi U R my fav nut !

Thanx !

Gee Wow , I guess even I can have my spheres just the way I like em from now on too !

Thank you China ...with the reflection play it kind hints at how to make all sorts of 3d objects with skillfull PS techniques !

Chinablue · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:58 am Post subject:

Ahhhhhh Jedi-Wizad....big nut siggi is!

Rotating and distorting that hightlight can give give some interesting effects too. If you open the sphere layer and change the blend mode of the gradient layer (soft light or multiply), you can add an image to your sphere (below the sphere layer). Or you can add an image on it's own layer (above the Sphere layer)and make the Blend Mode >Soft Light.

_________________
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle

Siggi · Moderator Joined: Apr 08, 2003 Posts: 2846 Location: spain

....this sphere stuff has me going in circles. .... but i've nearly cracked it and i'm very happy to be the resident nut!! i accept the promotion as long as i can still avoid real work!!
_________________
"May Your Clicking Finger Never Wither"

Tower Tales Book I, II & III

Chinablue · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:07 pm Post subject:

Siggi...it's an honor bestowed on you with love!!!

_________________
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle

Cormee · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 8:18 am Post subject: Turning it into a gel button

I doubt it needs explaining how to do it but I'll go for it anyway!
Turning it into a gel button is simple, hide the background, merge the visible layers, select half of the sphere, move it accross (holding shift down), then select a 1px wide area at the edge and the length of one of the 'cut' sides of either circle, then edit>transform>scale and drag the area you selected to transform over to the other cut side

Chinablue · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:22 am Post subject:

SWEET!!!! Nice transformation Cormee!

_________________
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle

aesdaana · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:32 pm Post subject:

Hi, Love the sphere by Chinablue. However, when I went to the tutorial page all of the pics were red x'd out. Anyone have an idea how to correct this.
I've gone all over the computer and can't find where
to check or uncheck whatever is keeping them from not coming through.
Didn't have this proble until I had my computer "fixed" by a tech.

aesdaana

TeCetera · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:40 pm Post subject:

Hmm...I suspect that the site China was using took them down do to traffic.

Vootie and Chinablue were working on hosting them here but with hurricaine Dennis heading Chinablue's way I suspect there's been a delay.
_________________
Happy accidents are sometimes the best ones.

Chinablue · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject:

Sorry everyone...bandwidth issues....images back soon!
_________________
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle

TeCetera · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:51 pm Post subject:

China call me. My site may have the bandwidth for a little bit anyways.
_________________
Happy accidents are sometimes the best ones.