Armored Core Tutorial

[Sniperwhere]

Originally made this for Aaron, but then I thought, "Why only let one use it?" So, here's the tutorial for the sig I'm currently using. This Tutorial will require GIMP 2.2(I'm not entirely sure if higher versions will work with this, but there's still a chance.)

 

You only need one image for this tutorial. it's a render and it can be found here:

http://planetrenders.net/renders/displayimage.php?pos=-18576

 

Step one is to start of with a 450x150 transparent image.

 

Then, using your render, paste it as many times as needed to fully cover up all transparency and still keep an unrepetative look. (name the layer Base)

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689511.png

 

Once this is done, duplicate the layer. For this layer, apply a Linear motion blur to the image with a length of 13 and an angle of 142. Once this is done, set the layer to mode to dodge. (name the layer BG Color Effects)

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689545.png

 

Now, go back to the first layer and duplicate it again. Now go to the Iwarp feature located under Filter - Distorts. Warp the image until it looks like it resembles mixed paint. (Title the layer BG Warping)

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689582.png

 

After that, set the layer mode for this one to Lighten Only, and move it one under the Dodge layer. It should come out looking similar to this:

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689640.png

 

Now, onto the actual zest of the sig. This is where we'll be putting in the render and making it fit into the backgroung more naturally.

 

Take your render and scale it to the size you're gonna use. The most important thing to consider here when using this particular render, is not to scale it to any measurement smaller than the sigs measurement. This will avoid having a cut-off edge. So since I'm working with an already small image that does in fact leave cut off, I'm gonna scale the render to a minimum width of 450. The sig's width size.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689701.png

 

Now, some may consider this a complete sig already. But I'm not happy with it. The lightining is off, the focal point borders invisible, and the depth needs altering. not only this but the image is clearly pasted on with nothing done to alter it in any way. Here's where we learn to fix all that. ;)

 

You first want to identify which direction the renders current light is coming from. In this case, we're looking at top left corner of the image.We're going to enhance this light to add a sense of depth and direction to the image.

 

This is gonna get tricky here so bear with me.

 

We'll start with Base layer. Using the gradient feature(we'll be using the gradient FG to BG only.), Set the offset to 10 and the mode to Dodge. Use only white and black for this(FG color is white, BG color is black). Click around -76, -53(off the top left of the image) and drag down to 161, 59.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689726.png

 

Now, you may not notice much difference, but the slightest things always count. And this only really needs to be done to the Base layer, but you can do this to the other 2 below the render if you want. With a render that blocks out so much background, it's not entirely important.

 

Now, we're gonna be gradient lighting the render. using the same gradient settings as before, click on 161, -66(above the image.) and drag down to 199, 89. This part you have to be more careful or you may brighten it way to much so it's important you get those numbers.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689774.png

 

Now we're going to darken the images bottom part. Set the gradient from dodge to burn and swap the colors(setting black to FG and white to BG.) Since the burn feature will effect the image more strongly than dodge, we're gonna set the gradients opacity to 40%

 

Now, begin by clicking on 363, 332 and dragging it to 305, 29.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689806.png

 

Now we're starting to get some more depth here. But, it still looks... plain, for lack of a better word. So lets start giving it effects. We're going to try and acheive a grungy look arounf the bottom right side.

 

Create a new layer and move it directly below Base. Name this layer Displace Layer 1(There may only be one of these but I like to be safe about it.) On this layer, we're going to put a "Plasma" which can be found under Filters - Render - Clouds - Plasma. Keep the random seed at 0 and set the turbulence to 2.0. No need to worry about the funky look as it will not be visible. It's got other purposes.

 

Now, duplicate the render layer. On this new layer(Name it Grunge 1), go to Filters - Map - Displace and set it so that both x and y displacement are set to Displace Layer 1.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689854.png

 

Not appealing in the least. Well. We'll just have to deal with that. Using the Select Elliptical Regions(right next to the box select), turn on antialiasing and set Feather Edges to a radius of 47.0. Now, select most of the upper left of the image and erase it. Make sure you do this until you have a very thin amount on the bottom and on the right. Just barely enough to block out the image.(this isn't the greatest way to grunge up the image, but it adds to the better way.) After you do that, set Grunge 1 to Difference and lower the opacity to 50.0.

 

 

 

Continued in next post....

[Sniperwhere]

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233689894.png

 

it's already looking pretty good, but I believe we can make this better. We're going to try to grunge up the image a little more before we go back to tweeking color, lighting and the focal.

 

Go to Edit - Copy Visible. This will copy everything; all the layers regardless; as one layer. then past this on a new layer above all the others. Name this layer Grunge 2. We now select the smudge tool, select the vine brush, set the Rate to 14.5 and brush the image to create something similar to the following

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233690010.png

 

And you though the first Grunge layer was bad. but i think you know where I'm heading. ;P

 

Here you can get more creative. Using the elliptical tool with all the same settings, select around the image and get rid of what you think looks ugly. What i did, was I selected the area around the renders head and upper left area like I did for Grunge 1, except I allowed a little more of the layer to stay behind, and I didn't remove it around the hole of the gun. Now set the layer to Lighten Only.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233690044.png

 

Now the image has a grunge look, but it it's softer and more "naturally weathered" than what the displace layer had done. And it also looks as if smoke is coming out of the gun.

 

Now. That's all pretty good. But the color and lighting still seem off. But what exactly can we do? Well keep watching.

 

First, copy visible and paste it onto a new layer(named Color Enhance 1). Then go to Layer - Colors - Hue-Saturation and lower the saturation down to -30. then return to Colors but this time go down to Auto and choose Color Enhance. Once again, return to Hue-Saturation. This time, click on the circle above the red box and lower sat. down to -30. Then, before hitting OK, click the circle above the blue box and raise sat. up to 30. Do the same for the cyan box(marked by C). Once you do that, return to Colors once again.(seeing a trend? Time to break it. :P) Instead of going to Hue-Sat., you're going to choose Brightness-Contrast. increase the images Contrast to 20.

 

http://cncforums.b1.jcink.com/uploads/cncforums//post-18-1233690074.png

 

Well look at that. Not only have we just made the color fit, but we also improved shadowing, and created the focal point. One of the first things you notice when you look at this is the blue on the helmet, making that the focal point. This is what we're going for. We've just accomplished 3 different things all at once.

 

At this point, we're pretty much done. Do whatever else you want to the image. Gradient map it, give it a border, stamp your name on it(well, not this particular sig. This's mine. ;) ), or whatever. Just remember one thing: The greatest images are never done twice. Meaning, everytime you make a new image, break your pattern. Do something you haven't done before, change/add/exclude somethings from it. That will make every image have it's differences. :) Even this tutorial was done that way. Never before have I followed these particular steps.

 

 

 

Good luck.