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- Somewhere.
I've done something similar in the past, but unfortunately, I lost all the pictures explaining the process. Besides, I improved a bit on my technique. I get a lot of compliments on that aspect from you guys, so I thought I'd share the technique.
I'll use this Audi A3, which I used for the 4th or 5th Weekly PSC, but it works with just about every other picture out there.
We'll do the hood first, since, well, most people tend to go for that.
Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L), trace an outline for the hood. It should look like this when it's done.
Now, copy this selection, using CTRL-C/CTRL-V, so you have a second layer, called Layer 1.
You'll want to make a 3rd layer, using the "create a new layer" button, which will be called layer 2, for your carbon fiber pattern. You'll need to make a carbon fiberish pattern. I used the one Brice uses over at photoshopjunkie.com ever since I started chopping, it's really good. Just make a 12px by 6px transparent image, and use the gradient paint tool to make two rectangularish gradients (going from black to white in one, and white to black in the other, but you had figured that out). Make sure you save it as a pattern, using the "Define Pattern" option under the Edit menu.
Now, make sure you selected "Layer 2", which should be empty. Go to Edit, then Fill, and select your pattern from the list. Your screen should look like this:
Now, you'll want to add some effect to it, right? Go to Filters, select Distort, and then Twirl. Set the twirl amount to 50, as it gets too distorted if higher. Your picture should now look like this. See the difference?
Now, you'll want to reduce the size of the weave, so it looks more realistic. Go to Edit, then Transform, then Distort. Distort the weave so it covers the whole hood, and then some. Your result should be similar to this:
Now, press the CTRL key, and click on Layer 1. This should outline your hood. You'll want to get rid of what is outside this outline. Simply go to Select, then Inverse, and press Delete. It should now look like this:
Starting to look a bit more like it, eh? Next, get rid of the hood's stock color. To do so, simply select Layer 1, then hit CTRL+Shift+U. Now, you should have a grey hood with a cf weave on it. For most people, this is close enough, but not for me! Select Layer 2 (the weave itself) and set the blending mode to Soft Light. This will add shading to the weave, making it look a bit more realistic. We're almost there, now!
Now, you'll agree it's a bit too light to be mistaken for carbon fiber. So, take your Layer 1 again, and mess with the darkness of it (Image, Adjustments, Brightness/Contrast), then fiddle with the opacity of Layer 2, so the weave doesn't contrast too much either. And you're done! You can flatten the layers, or leave them as is, it's up to you. Final product should now look like this!
Now, you can do it on the roof, the doors, the wheels, anywhere!
Expect some more of these n00b tutorials in the future, I'll probably use the same picture, too!
I'll use this Audi A3, which I used for the 4th or 5th Weekly PSC, but it works with just about every other picture out there.
We'll do the hood first, since, well, most people tend to go for that.
Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L), trace an outline for the hood. It should look like this when it's done.
Now, copy this selection, using CTRL-C/CTRL-V, so you have a second layer, called Layer 1.
You'll want to make a 3rd layer, using the "create a new layer" button, which will be called layer 2, for your carbon fiber pattern. You'll need to make a carbon fiberish pattern. I used the one Brice uses over at photoshopjunkie.com ever since I started chopping, it's really good. Just make a 12px by 6px transparent image, and use the gradient paint tool to make two rectangularish gradients (going from black to white in one, and white to black in the other, but you had figured that out). Make sure you save it as a pattern, using the "Define Pattern" option under the Edit menu.
Now, make sure you selected "Layer 2", which should be empty. Go to Edit, then Fill, and select your pattern from the list. Your screen should look like this:
Now, you'll want to add some effect to it, right? Go to Filters, select Distort, and then Twirl. Set the twirl amount to 50, as it gets too distorted if higher. Your picture should now look like this. See the difference?
Now, you'll want to reduce the size of the weave, so it looks more realistic. Go to Edit, then Transform, then Distort. Distort the weave so it covers the whole hood, and then some. Your result should be similar to this:
Now, press the CTRL key, and click on Layer 1. This should outline your hood. You'll want to get rid of what is outside this outline. Simply go to Select, then Inverse, and press Delete. It should now look like this:
Starting to look a bit more like it, eh? Next, get rid of the hood's stock color. To do so, simply select Layer 1, then hit CTRL+Shift+U. Now, you should have a grey hood with a cf weave on it. For most people, this is close enough, but not for me! Select Layer 2 (the weave itself) and set the blending mode to Soft Light. This will add shading to the weave, making it look a bit more realistic. We're almost there, now!
Now, you'll agree it's a bit too light to be mistaken for carbon fiber. So, take your Layer 1 again, and mess with the darkness of it (Image, Adjustments, Brightness/Contrast), then fiddle with the opacity of Layer 2, so the weave doesn't contrast too much either. And you're done! You can flatten the layers, or leave them as is, it's up to you. Final product should now look like this!
Now, you can do it on the roof, the doors, the wheels, anywhere!
Expect some more of these n00b tutorials in the future, I'll probably use the same picture, too!
