Bryce: City Scene

Today and tomorrow we are going to be using both PhotoShop and Bryce.  We will create a grayscale image in PhotoShop (size 512 x 512 pixels) with several shapes (mostly rectangles) which we will use to apply to our mountain (terrain editor).  This will effectively allow us to create a city in Bryce using a single mountain.

An example of the grayscale image is seen on the left.  The brightest (white) colors will be the tallest points and the darkest (black) colors will be the lowest points.  Obviously the different shades of gray will be mid-size buildings.

I am also including a video tutorial below if you should want to watch this tutorial again. [Or if your family or friends would like to create something like this.]

Here are three very different examples of texture "bump maps" to create city scenes:

This is a beautiful example of what you can do with this -- although there was significant editing after the initial creation.

You can use this technique in creating individual buildings as well.  The rounded building on the above-right image is an example of that.  Here are a few examples of "bump maps" that you can use for interesting buildings.

Buy: Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design Premium Student Edition

Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design Premium Student and Teacher Edition

Several students have been asking about purchasing Adobe Photoshop.  As a student in a high school or community college, you have access to buy the full Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium for $449.  I know that's very expensive [I can't afford it myself] but if you are looking at entering a career in design, image editing, etc., it's a must-have -- and regular price is $1899!

Included in this bundle is:

• Adobe Photoshop Extended
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Dreamweaver
• Flash Professional
• Flash Catalyst
• Fireworks
• Acrobat Pro

Again, this isn't something you need for my class, but it's definitely a good deal.

If the full suite isn't for you but you really want Photoshop, you can buy Photoshop individually for $199.

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended Student and Teacher Edition

Photoshop: Public Service Poster

Click to View Full Size

On Friday (tomorrow) we are going to begin putting together a "Public Service Poster".  These should be attention-getting, make a strong impression, and be school appropriate.  Take this project seriously -- because I do.

I will be giving extra credit to projects that I believe are good enough to print and hang up.

Project Specifics:

• 8.5 Inches x 11 Inches (you choose orientation)
• 150 DPI Resolution

You can choose from these options:

1. Anti-Smoking / Tobacco Campaign

Create a poster to discourage someone from using/selling tobacco products.  Include a fact (or facts) -- Here are some to get you started:  http://www.tobaccofreeca.com/resources/ 

2. Above the Influence / Anti Drug Campaign

Create a poster to discourage someone from using drugs.  Include facts about which drug(s) you are dissuading people from using.  For example, did you know that more teens are in treatment facilities for "marijuana dependency" than all other illicit drugs combined?  Or that young people who smoke marijuana are more than twice as likely to have depression later in life?  Here are some more facts to get you started: http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugfacts 

3. Domestic Violence Prevention

Create a poster to let people know how/where to get help if they are the victims of domestic violence, dating violence, etc.  Try to find local resources (i.e. phone numbers).  Use some facts about the issue as well: http://domesticviolencestatistics.org/domestic-violence-statistics/

4. Texting While Driving

Create a poster letting people know about the dangers of driving while texting.  While it's a relatively new problem, a lot is being said about it.  Remember to include facts.  For example, you are 4 times as likely to cause an accident while driving after drinking... but 8 times as likely to drive while texting.  Here is a place to start: http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/driving-while-texting-infographic/ 

Here are some examples of posters:

Photoshop: Plantimal / Chimera

Today we will be doing some "mad scientist" work with Photoshop.  I want you to combine either a plant and an animal (a Plantimal) or combine two animals (a Chimera) into a single creature.  It will help to choose things that have similar colors or textures or at least are facing the same direction.  I have never assigned this project before, so I won't do a lot of demonstration on this one -- I don't want to influence your creations.  I am looking forward to seeing what you can come up with.

We will have today, tomorrow, and Friday to complete these projects.  Please take your time to make these as seamless as possible.  I suggest starting with LARGE images so you can blend things easier and still come out with a good sized final product.

(Extra points for original "visual puns" -- i.e. "Sea Lion" or "Dande-Lion")  XD

First, some examples of Plantimals:

Dande-Lion by Megan Griffith

Some examples of Chimeras include: