graphics-piximperfect/_subsections/chapter03.org

Notes on Lesson 03 - Opacity vs Fill | PiXimperfect

• Downloads
• Notes
  • blend modes
    • overview
    • fill layers
    • special blend modes
    • color grading and 'blend if'
      • add a gradient
  • create a fake sun
    • create layer
    • choosing brush
    • draw sun
    • convert layer to smart layer
    • choose a filter
    • filter types
    • shape layer
    • tweaking
    • change color
  • adding glare and the concept of graident fill
    • there are three main fills
    • gradient editor panel
    • to move a gradient around
  • make the background warmer
    • duplicate background
    • add filter
  • layer styles
• Timestamp

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Downloads

• Practice Files: https://bit.ly/3ouxZWi
• Finished PSDs: https://bit.ly/3N1qDUi (Only for PiXimperfect Patreon Family)

Notes

blend modes

overview

normally there is no difference between fill and opacity however there are 8 blend modes which make a difference

fill layers

• solid color
• gradient
• pattern

special blend modes

• color burn
• linear burn
• color dodge
• linear dodge (add)
• vivid light
• linear light
• hard mix
• difference

with hard mix you want to focus on changing fill %, not opacity. low numbers, like 20% are good

color grading and 'blend if'

'blend if' meaning "blend if certain condtions exists"

1. bring up layer style dialog

   • double click on right side
2. choose "blending options"
3. focus on bottom where it says "Blend If"

at this point you can notice two sliders

• current layer
• underlying layer

assume we want to lower effect on the darker ares of an image since you double clicked on the fill layer, we want to apply "underlying layer" move the left slider to the right, to the white

however this can lead to a harsh effect

1. hold option key and click on the cursor-slider

2. you can now move it apart as two piece

   • its good to move them as far apart as possible to create a smooth effect

at this point you can lower the opacity to around 40%, and now the effect is subtle significant

add a gradient

1. black and white, and apply linear
2. place gradient in layer above other layer

changing the underlying layer slider will affect what gets show but on the graident

create a fake sun

create layer

1. layer on top of image

choosing brush

1. soft round brush
2. modify size using brackets: ']['
3. choose a warm color

draw sun

• dab somewhere in middle

  • not side because it's hard to see3
  • move it later

convert layer to smart layer

• right click on layer and choose 'smart layer'
• menu-Filter-Convert ot Smart Filter

choose a filter

• from Layers->blending mode pick color dodge
• 

filter types

1. darken group:

   • darken
   • multiply
   • color burn
   • linear burn
   • darker color

2. lighter group:

   • lighten
   • screen
   • color dodge
   • linear dodge (add)
   • lighter color

shape layer

1. right click on empty space in layer panel and click "larger thumbnails"
2. double click on right side of layer to open up blending options dialog

3. uncheck "transparency shapes layer"

   • we don't want the transparency to shape the layer

   • we want the interaction with what is under the layer to shape it

     • if an area is dark, we want to show less of it
     • if an area is bright, show more of it

tweaking

• make the sun bigger or smaller
• change the fill

change color

• add a solid color layer on top of the sun layer
• hold down Opt key and move pointer between solid layer and sun layer
• icon changes, click it

adding glare and the concept of graident fill

there are three main fills

• solid
• gradient
• pattern

gradient editor panel

• slider bar

  • top is opacity control
  • bottom is color control

• click on stops

  • you can adjust the location by

    • typing
    • clicking and dragging from location textbox

to move a gradient around

• open the editor panel and you can move it from there

make the background warmer

duplicate background

• C+j
• convert to smart layer / Filter-> convert smart filters

add filter

• click on Filters->Camera Raw
• in the Camera Raw editor panel, click Color
• now adjust the Temperature
• 

layer styles

• fill only affects the main image, but will leave layers styles alone

Timestamp

• 00:00 What is Happening?
• 00:32 Opacity vs. Fill: Similarities
• 01:45 The Differences: Introduction
• 02:18 Condition 1: Special Blend Modes
• 04:15 Color Grading & Blend If
• 07:07 Concept of Blend If in Detail
• 08:13 Create a Fake Sun
• 13:13 Adding Glare and Concept of Gradient Fill
• 17:41 Other Applications current
• 18:20 Condition 2: Layer Style
• 22:47 Quick Recap