Wednesday, February 27, 2008

How to create a 3D pop out image in adobe photoshop?

This Adobe Photoshop CS3 tutorial will demonstrate how you can make a figure in an image pop-up from the background and the image border itself. It is a very cool effect if you do it correctly. It also works better if you have a better image to work with than the one you see below. However, this should be good enough to demonstrate what is possible. I hope that you find a better use for it than I have. I have found this useful to use in newsletters when you send out pictures of people and it makes the scene come to life and everybody feels really good about themselves. Enough of the chit-chat though. Let's continue with the tutorial.

First, let's open up the picture we want an object to jump out of!

Image #1

Now we must change the name of the picture layer from background to something else and then copy it. You must also create a new layer and drag it to the bottom of the layer list.

Image #2

Now we will change the background color of the image to white.

Image #3

Now you can see the new white background layer.

Image #4

The next thing you want to do is select the layer that is on top of the list.

Image #5

Then select the Quick Selection Tool.

Image #6

Use the Quick Selection tool to trace the object that you want to pop-out of the image.

Image #7

Now you want to right-click on that area and select (inverse). This will select the outside area of what you have selected. Then you can press the delete button or right-click and delete and that area will be erased. That is when you will see the white background from the bottom most level.

Image #8

Now select the layer that is in the second position.

Image #9

Now we will take a section of the picture that we want to retain inside of the picture frame. Anything outside of this region will either disappear or become part of the pop-out effect.

Image #10

Now will select the "Mask Button" that is below the layers. You can see my cursor pointing to it.

Image #11

Now you have a finished project. A little weak in its effect and maybe not appealing, but it works none the less.

Image #12

I am sure you will have much better ideas of what to do with this knowledge and how to use it. Now that I think about it I think that I could use it in some places right now that would help me out a little. I think I will get to work on that. The 3d pop-up effect will be great for making pictures of your family and friends come alive right before your eyes. If a picture is worth a 1000 words then a pop-out picture is worth 5,000! Have fun exploring Adobe CS3 and always strive to learn more!