Signature Tutorial

[KnightFire]

Welcome to a Signature tutorial made by me.

 

Step One: Find a render. http://www.planetrenders.net is a good source. For more sources simply google "renders" and I'm sure you'll get more than enough results.

 

Next, place your render in a signature of appropriate size. For smaller signatures I tend to use a size of about 400 x 200 (Length x Height) and for larger ones I'll use 500 x 200.

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature1.png

 

Next, you're going to take the layer with your render in it, and duplicate it to fill up the space behind the render. Hide your original render's layer.

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature2.png

 

Now we're going to do some smudging. Find the smudging tool (looks like a pointing hand) and use the following settings with any brush type of your choice.

 

http://i301.photobuc...01at70302PM.png

 

If you're having trouble finding this menu, just go to Windows -> Brushes.

 

After smudging, your signature should look like this.

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature3.png

 

Now for some gradient maps.

 

http://i301.photobuc...01at70451PM.png

 

Use gradient maps on the individual layers you duplicated and smudged. This will produce a better result with more variety and color.

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature4.png

 

Make your original layer with your original render visible on top.

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature5.png

 

Now find a good C4d and place it in your signature. This is one I used:

 

http://i301.photobuc...01at70722PM.png

 

Set the C4d's layer to "Screen" and make sure it's the layer on top at this point. Place it where you think it would look good and use any color adjustments as necessary for blending purposes.

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature6.png

 

Next, add a new layer. Layer -> New Layer. Then do an "Apply Image". After you've done that, go to Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur

 

Set the Gaussian Blur to 3.0, and set that same exact layer to "Lighten".

 

http://i301.photobuc...lSignature7.png

 

Slap some text on and you're done!

 

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/knightfire8/TutorialSignatureFinal.png

 

For a border, go to Edit -> Stroke on a layer that you did "Apply Image" on.

 

I hope this was helpful to some people!

 

(Sorry for the links versus posted images, the site said I was going beyond the max amount of images in one post)

[charizardrules]

Nice

[§sabers§]

u just got good renders and stuff and i just dont know waht to look for:(

[KnightFire]

Don't know what to look for?

 

Try to pick something that looks good or something you like! Or you can just browse.

[§sabers§]

well llike i mean the render and the background they just match thats where i think i fall short.... i try to match the render with the same color back. also it doesnt help that i dont know how to blend the render in to the background so ill have to try ur tutorial and maybe ill be better

[KnightFire]

Many times you can just duplicate your render, spread it out around in the background, and then just smudge it. That way, the colors in the background will definitely match up with the ones in your render because you literally created the background out of the render.

 

Another technique is using the Gradient tool. Press "G" and go under that tool to the square. If you drag it around it will create a gradient. You can also adjust the color to your liking.

[§sabers§]

Many times you can just duplicate your render, spread it out around in the background, and then just smudge it. That way, the colors in the background will definitely match up with the ones in your render because you literally created the background out of the render.

 

Another technique is using the Gradient tool. Press "G" and go under that tool to the square. If you drag it around it will create a gradient. You can also adjust the color to your liking.

 

 

i dont do good with smudge:( i tryed ur setting but i didnt get the same affect

[KnightFire]

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/knightfire8/Screenshot2010-05-01at70302PM.png

 

Try these settings.

[§sabers§]

with that i just wanting to know what brush u use and whats the other settings for scattering?

[KnightFire]

I believe I used Brush #28. The one that comes with Photoshop. You won't need to really mess with scattering, the default settings should work nicely.

[§sabers§]

I believe I used Brush #28. The one that comes with Photoshop. You won't need to really mess with scattering, the default settings should work nicely.

 

thank you for ur help!

[TheMole]

Where do you upload your finished sigs to so that you can use it as a sig on these forums? Because i noticed that you cant upload a file from your computer to use as a sig.

[SonicPants]

Where do you upload your finished sigs to so that you can use it as a sig on these forums? Because i noticed that you cant upload a file from your computer to use as a sig.

Photobucket.com and Imageshack.us are the two best image hosting websites that i know of.

[TheMole]

Mmk ty sonic =)

Edit: I uploaded my sig to imageshack, its jpeg, but when i try to add the image with the proper bracketing it says the website extension is not allowed or something (i forgot already). ?????

EDIT: nvm i fail. But with the gradient map part, when i do that in GIMP it turns the smudged layer to grayscale. Why?

[KnightFire]

I used to use Gimp, but found that photoshop offers way more functions and is much easier to use.

 

If you can't afford to get a copy of Photoshop CS3, I'd suggest possibly a torrent.

[TheMole]

ok, ty for the suggestion.