Remember the watchword:  click on the thumbs to see a bigger version - or do "open in new window" to get it side by side with the text.

An excellent Walkthrough/tutorial was put together by Ricocheting, at this address:  http://www.ricocheting.com/digital/tut2/

Subject:  Re: Wallpaper - Life's Procession.jpg (Repost)
Date:  Sat, 05 May 2001 02:01:42 GMT
From:  Ian Wolf <iwolf2@earthlink.net>
Newsgroups:  alt.binaries.multimedia.xena-herc

In article <3AF32AC8.12B110BE@zoomnet.net>,  Beth Smarr <bsmarr@zoomnet.net> wrote: > I remember and love this wall (even if you don't have Joxer in any readable bubble). >  > I still can't figure out how you made the bubbles. >  > Beth Thanks Beth! There's a few people that should be there and are not either because I didn't have a suitable picture of them at that time or just didn't think of them. For example Xena's mother and Herc are two that come to mind. As much as I've come to appreciate Joxer, I just don't think Xena's last thoughts would be about him. :)

Each bubble/sphere is made up of three layers. Two are of the image of which one is transparent and in the background and the other opaque with selected area of it mask removed. That how I create the look of transparency in certain selected areas of the sphere/bubble. The final and third layer is what's new in this version and it creates the reflective surface of the bubble/sphere. This help create, I hope, the illusion/look of light reflecting off the glass bubble/sphere's surface.  This reflective surface is made using a effect tool called liquid metal.  I create a sphere of the right size then change it's composite method to reverse-out. I then go into the mask and eliminate all of it except for the area were I want reflections to appear on the sphere/bubble to create the illusion of dimension to the sphere/bubble.  The image, once choosen was made spherical using a special effect tool in the Painter program. I then just used a circular select tool to cut and pasted it into the wall as it's own layer where I did the above after sizing it to the needed dimensions.  One of the biggest challenges in producing this wall was managing all the varies elements.  Hope this helps answer your question on how I made the bubble/spheres.  Thanks once again!!

Subject:  How to create a wallpaper - For Katie :) 229k
Date:  Wed, 13 Jun 2001 22:49:01 +0100
From:  "Michael Quick" <mike@mquick.freeserve.co.uk>
Newsgroups:  alt.binaries.multimedia.xena-herc

How I created 'Journey to Eternity', as requested by Katie, a short story by Mike :)  ...  Programs used :  Paint Shop Pro v4.15 (used for browsing/finding images) and Photoshop 5.5 for the actual creative stuff <g>  Here we go...  1. I selected the following AITST caps : 24,53,58,89,90,91, 230 and 258 using Paint Shop Pro  to browse my Season 4 caps folder (all caps are on my web site btw)  2. I decided to combine the two landscape caps (91 & 230) to create a more striking background, so I did the following :  a. First I resized both caps to 1200 x 900 (the size I create all my wallpapers at) in Paint Shop Pro (PSP in future).  b. I copied #91 from PSP and then went to Photoshop (PS in future) and clicked File>New.   PS defaults to providing a new image to match the size of whatever the clipboard holds, in this case 1200 x 900 with a white background.  c. I pasted in cap #91  d. Then I pasted in cap #230 above cap #91  e. Then I applied a Layer Mask to #230  f. I then made sure BLACK was the foreground colour and selected the Paintbrush Tool, making sure it was a medium sized, soft edged brush.

g. I then painted onto the Layer Mask of cap #230 to obscure the lower foreground part of the cap, thus allowing cap #91 to show through.  If you make a mistake and erase too much of the image, then change colour to WHITE and paint the missing part back in.  Continue painting onto the Layer Mask until happy with the blend.  3. Next we paste in the other caps.   The procedure is the same for all the remaining caps, so I'll describe the process just once <g> :  a. Go to PSP, copy the cap (Ctrl-C is fastest), go to PS, press Ctrl-V to paste it into the wallpaper.  b. Use the Move Tool to slide the cap to its position - cap #53 goes to top left for instance.   Having put it there, I flipped it horizontally so that Xena is staring INTO the wallpaper and not looking outwards (Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal).  Outward looking characters look bad (imo!)  c. I then resized the cap to a more suitable size (all the caps are 1024 x 768 and are much too large to use).   Press Ctrl-T, hold down the Shift key and drag one of the corner 'handles' to resize the cap.   Shift ensures that the image retains its aspect ratio, if you don't hold down Shift then you'll get a misshapen image! <g>  d. Now apply a Layer Mask to the cap (Layer masks are used on just about every image you'll ever see in any of my wallpapers!).   Make sure BLACK is the foreground colour, pick a LARGE soft edged paintbrush.   Now paint out the background around the figure.  If you paint out too much, switch to WHITE and paint it back in.  e. Finally reduce the opacity of the image layer to 50%  4. Next I added the title.   I added the text and then applied the following effects to it : Emboss  and Inner Shadow.  5. Last I added my 'sig' to the wall  And that's all there is to it.  Now you create a version using the above instructions!

Subject:  Here She Comes... Complete with Making Of Featurette <g>
Date:  Thu, 14 Jun 2001 20:07:32 +0100
From:  "Tane" <tane@NOSPAMsfisher66.fsnet.co.uk>
Newsgroups:  alt.binaries.multimedia.xena-herc

OK - Mike wanted me to make a 'How To Manipulate Colour, the Tane Way' post, and here it is.  The attached image is the end result.  I simply wrote down everything as I was doing it.  This isn't necessarily my standard way of working (I don't generally have a standard way), but it does show you how I manipulated the colours...  Sorry it's a bit long winded, I just found myself going on and on (and on, and on, and on...)  The whole image was created in PSP7.02 using Mike Quick's Here She Comes, Miss Amphipolis caps...  * Create a new image (1024x768) with a black background.  * Select cap (hscma2 214) and paste as a new layer  * Select Miss Amphipolis from cap 218 and place into the main image on the right, erasing the edges to remove those harsh edges  * Repeat the above process for Miss A from cap 266 placing her on the left  * You should now have a 4 layered image (1xbackground, 3xlayers) with three Miss A's - it is at this point that I recommend saving your work.  I usually save in psp format (to retain the layer information).  Why save here?  So that if anything goes wrong you have a good starting point and you don't have to cut out and paste the Miss A's again ;-)  * This is where the fun begins <g>  * Select and Duplicate layer 1  * Gaussian Blur (set to 6.99) copy of layer 1, then erase the eyes, nose and mouth so that they come back into focus (because of the layer below)  * Adjust level of transparency for copy of layer 1 to 73  * Save again, because we are about to take a risk, and it could very well backfire on us!  * Merge All Layers, yes you heard me - flatten your image.  Go on, be a devil ;-)  * Copy and paste your flattened image back on top of itself - so that you have a 2 layered image (1xbackground, 1xlayer) with exactly the same information on both layers  * Set Layer 1 Blend Mode to Dodge - you'll notice that the image automatically becomes much more vibrant, and providing you've brought the central Miss A's eyes, nose and mouth into focus you should notice that the background becomes a bright blur, whilst her facial features remain in focus.  * Paste once again, so that you've copied the original flattened image over your Dodged layer.  Don't worry, we're going to play with this layer now ;-)  * Warp Layer 2 (the layer you've just pasted) with a setting of -50 (you can find the warp effect from the Effects/Geometric Effects option)

* Set Layer 2's Blend Mode to Overlay.  You should now have a ghostly, zoomed in effect over the top of your bright background, so that if you look hard enough you can see 6 Miss A's!!  * Notice how the colours are so much more intense now.  This is good (for me at least)  * Save again, but with a different filename this time (maybe xxx2, instead of xxx) so that if the next few stages go wrong you can go back - or if you wish to return to the beginning, you can do that too.  Personally I think we should persevere on with this interesting image, don't you?  Ok...  * Merge All Layers, go on flatten that image again.  * Copy and Paste the flattened image on top of itself, so that again you have a 2 layered image (1xbackground, 1xlayer)  * Select Layer 1  * Adjust the contrast of layer one up by 35 (go to colours/adjust/brightness&contrast - leave brightness at 0 and type 35 into the contrast box)  * Still with Layer 1 selected, go to Effects/Geometric Effects/ and choose Ripple (with a setting of Amplitude 53, Wavelength 57, Horizontal Centre 50, Vertical Centre 50) and push OK.  * Set the Eraser to maximum size, and minimum hardness) and wipe out most of Layer 1, so that you can see all 3 of the larger Miss A's, yet you can also still see rippling in each of the four corners.  * Set Layer 1 blend mode to Multiply  * Merge All Layers (yet again), then copy and paste the merged layer on top of itself, so that you have two layers (1xblah blah, you know the story)  * Select the Colourize option from Colours/Colourize.  Set Hue to 10, and Saturation to 150.  Click OK  * Set Layer 1 transparency to 45 - this just dulls down those bright colours a little.  But don't worry, we're not finished yet ;-)  * Still with Layer 1, select Effects/Illumination Effects/Lights - within the lights options choose the preset Sunset.  Then change all of the values until they read as follows.  Darkness 60  Intensity 99  Direction 180  Horizontal -4  Vertical 0  Smoothness 100  Scale 5  Cone size 89  Asymmetry 1  Then click OK  * Set Layer 1 blend mode to Burn, and set transparency to 30  * That - I'm sure you'll be pleased to learn, is the main image done.  Next just add text, and a sig, and you're done.

Subject:  Re: How to create a wallpaper - For Katie :) 229k
Date:  Thu, 14 Jun 2001 23:07:28 +0100
From:  "Michael Quick" <mike@mquick.freeserve.co.uk>

This is in response to your query about Layer masks & Quick masks.  I've attached a screenshot of tonight's montage with some comments to help.  Please excuse the size of it, my screen resolution is 1600 x 1200 and I create the montages at 1200 x 900 then shrink them down to 1024 x 768 for posting.  A. First layer masks...  The primary use of layer masks is to blend images together or to fade one image into another.   This obviously is essential to montage work.  The purpose of a layer mask is to apply effects to the layer mask that will affect the image layer.    A common effect that I use them for is blending one image into the background or into another image.  Note that painting in BLACK onto the layer mask itself will totally obscure that part of the image being painted on.   Painting in WHITE will permit the image itself to totally show through the layer mask.   Painting in shades of GREY will allow PART of the image to show through.  Note also that the original image is not affected until you remove the layer mask and choose to apply it to the image layer.  One advantage of this is that if you make a mistake, you can correct it by simply painting over the layer mask with the opposite colour.   A mistake made in white can be corrected by painting over that bit with black.  If you make a total hash of it, remove the layer mask, click discard when asked and start again!    To blend one edge of an image into another :  1. select the layer the image is on  2. create a layer mask (1st icon at the bottom of the layers palette)  3. select the layer mask (by clicking on the layer mask thumbnail)  4. select the gradient fill tool (note there are different types of graduated fill)  5. make sure WHITE is the current colour  6. click on the image where you want the 'fade' to start, then drag to the edge of the image (or slightly beyond it), then release.   Keep trying until the desired fade is achieved.   Each fill replaces the previous.  7. when happy with the result, right click on the layer mask thumbnail in the layers palette and select 'remove layer mask', click 'apply' when asked 'Apply mask to layer before removing?'  result : one image nicely blended into another.    Note you can vary the 'strength' of the blend by going to the 'options' palette and clicking on 'Edit...'  while the gradient tool selected.

I use the radial gradient fill a lot to get a blend on all sides of a small image.   You can see from the layer mask thumbnails that all the smaller images in the wallpaper have radial graduated fills on them.   I'd already cut them out previously.  Another approach to blends is to do 1 to 3 above, then select the paintbrush tool, pick a BIG brush with 'soft' edges, then paint around the image using BLACK..  If done correctly this gives a seamless blend.  B. Quick masks...  This is an alternative method of creating a 'selection'.   Normally selections are made using the selection tools (lasso and magnetic lasso etc), however these can be difficult to use on complicated shapes.   Although the magnetic lasso seems simple to use, on low contrast pictures it is quite easy for it to wander all over the place!  A much easier method is to use 'Quick mask' mode.    To cut out a figure :  1. select the layer the figure is on  2. go into Quick mask mode - click the quick mask button  3. select a paintbrush  4. paint directly onto the image!  5. where you paint shows up as 50% red (you can see through it)  6. continue to paint over the area of the figure.  You can either paint over the area you wish to keep or over the area you wish to get rid of.  7. for small trick bits, zoom in and use a smaller paintbrush  8. for large easy areas use a large paintbrush  9. when finished, click the button next to the Quick mask button to go back to editing the image layer.   Note that the area you 'painted' has been converted to a selection!  Note that the 'red paint' is purely a marker to show where you have painted, it has no effect on the image itself.  If the painted area is the opposite of what you intended (it can be set to either indicate what you want to keep, or to show the area you want to loose), you can reverse the selection by going to the Select menu, then click on Inverse.  Make sure the area you want to loose is the 'selected' area, then press the 'Delete' key (or Ctrl-X).  The selected area disappears!  It's usually best to go around the figure afterwards with the Blur tool to soften the edge of the figure, otherwise it looks too sharp.  You can also use a layer mask to cut out shapes, all the images on the montage were cut out using layer masks by painting in BLACK onto the bits I didn't want.

Subject:  Re: OT -2nd wall
Date:  Fri, 6 Jul 2001 01:19:08 +0100
From:  "Traggic Prose" <sbanh@sbanh.freeserve.co.uk>
Newsgroups:  alt.binaries.multimedia.xena-herc

I used Photoshop ver6.0  The pic was made by  1. Dulplicating the image in a separate layer and use the 'Find Edge' filter on it.  2. Use various image adjustments like Brightness\contrast.. to remove the speckled white areas and to deepen the outline of the body.

3. Duplicate this layer and use mask layer to further reduce unwanted details and to highlight others like the gun at the hip, hand and finger. etc.  4. Once you are happy with it, merge link the Duplicated layers into one.  5. Use a 'layer mask' on the new merged layer and use a non-feathered brush tip to bring out the original pic, so that the face and hand is shown.  6. Play around with color, brightness, etc..unitl you like the look of it.  And thats about it really.  You may have to use different layer modes such as 'Screen', Overlay, etc during the first 3 steps. It can really help whiten or darken images.  Hope that helps...if not give me a post. ;-))  TP

Subject: Re: Wallpaper - Xena Warrior Princess.jpg
Date:  Fri, 02 Nov 2001 15:24:35 GMT
"Ian Wolf" <iwolf2@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:iwolf2-7AA652.23094231102001@nnrp03.earthlink.net

Ok, this is how I did the Xena Warrior Princess Wall. Please remember that we all use a verity of different programs but many share similar capabilities and features although each program may use different names for their features and effects. If your program, for example, has the ability to make layers and manipulate the layer masks or the ability to control the size and type of brushes used and a modest array of special effects, than you should be able to produce similar results with your  program. Also keep in mind that I am probably the only one in the group that uses the program Painter to do walls.   After eliminating the logo and adjusting the size of the picture to the standard 1024 x 768 size (a typical resolution setting for the common 17² monitor) by some minor enlargement and cropping, I made two copies of the canvas as floating layers. Going to layer 1 ( the layer floating just above

the canvas) I applied an effect called ³Zoom Blur². This effect allows me to control the degree of the blur effect through a slide bar which I set to 40. I next went into the mask of layer 1 and with a soft edged brush eliminated or made transparent or another way to say it, allowed the undistorted Xena on the canvas below to show through. It¹s very important to use a soft edge brush so the transition from the undistorted Xena on the canvas and the blurred floating layer above seems to be one in-the-same. Others in the group have made this point in the past. ITS VERY IMPORTANT!   Next I went to layer 2 and enlarged by 120 percent. I than applied ³Zoom Blur² and changed the composition method of this layer to ³Overlay² and set the transparency of the layer to 65 percent. This added some additional streaks that added to the impression of movement to the picture and enhanced the color of the layer and canvas below.   Finally, I made some minor brightness/contrast adjustment, added my initials and it was finished. Of coarse it¹s always easier to make a good wall when starting with excellent scans of great pictures. Hope this helps Brandy and anyone else who cares to read this.   Ian

Subject:  Re: Desktop friendly Gabrielle wallpaper - [desktop_2.jpg]
Date:  Tue, 6 Feb 2001 01:05:39 +0100
From:  Dein Lakai <DeinLakai@graffiti.net>
Newsgroups:  alt.binaries.multimedia.xena-herc

> What program do you use for such wonderful water effects, may I ask?  > I'm a big fan of the colored/shiny! PhotoShop. For this effect I made some layers with red/blue/violet clouds for colors and a layer for the structure, applying :   render/clouds (with fore-/backcolor set to black/white)   artistic/smudge stick   sketch/chrome   image/adjust/invert (ctrl-I)   distort/pinch (amount 100)  on the structure layer (layer mode set to Dodge).

Copying all layers into a new one and giving the new layer some lighting effects - flood light with Shiny and Metallic set to the max.  And finally setting the new layer's mode to Soft Light (or whatever looks good)  That's it in a nutshell, if you like I can explain in more detail.:)  Eric.

 

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