Graphic Design 8: Converting an Image into Text Shapes

These simple steps will explain how to mask out an image to take upon the shape of text.

Step1. Open the image of your choice and then duplicate the layer. Next, type the word you want across the image as shown below.

Step2. Move cursor over the layer with the type icon in the layer box. Hold control or open apple and then click. You should now have the marching ants around the text.

Step3. Turn off the original image layer and the text layer. Select the duplicate image layer in the layers box as shown below. Finally click on the add layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers box to clip out the image.

Hope this helps!

Peace!

Graphic Design 7: Photoshop to Illustrator

Converting Photoshop pixel files into an Illustrator vector file.

Have you ever created a logo or had an object in photoshop that you wanted to convert into a vector file? Well, here is one simple way to achieve this. Now keep in mind that considering how complexity of your design, will determine how much clean up you will need to do later in Illustrator. I find that this technique works more efficient with designs that are not so complex. Its great with logos, one color process t-shirt designs, etc.

Step 1: Open the file you want to convert in photoshop. Use the magic wand tool to highlight the object. The object should show the marching ants around it as shown below in Figure 7:1.

Figure 7:1.

Step 2: Next you will click on the path tab that is located on the layers box. Click on the path icon located at the bottom to change the marching ants into a working path. See below in Figure 7:2.

Figure 7:2.

Step 3: After completing the first two steps, click back on the layers tab and turn the eye off on the object layer so you can view the path as seen below in Figure 7:3.

Figure 7:3.

Step 4: We are almost finished! In the top menu bar, click on file, export, paths to illustrator as shown below in Figure 7:4. Save and name the object as an illustrator file to your destop or folder of your choice.

Figure 7:4.

Step 5: This is the final step! Open the new object file in illustrator. You can now change the colors, clean up the graphic and resize it the way you please as a vector format. See below in Figure 7:5.

Figure 7:5.

Hope this helps!

Peace and God Bless!

Graphic Design 6: Awesome New Technology

Content-Aware Image Sizing.

This video displays amazing new technology! A feature that allows you to stretch an image with out distorting the important content. I will be so glad when this becomes a photoshop plug-in. Check out the video. It’s pretty impressive.

Graphic Design 5: Color Transformation

Here is a simple quick way to transform color.

Keep in mind that this method may not work on every photo or situation put can be great if you are on a time crunch.

In this figure I will show you how to change the color of this tie in a few simple steps.

1. Open Image and use the lasso or (pen tool) to trace around the image.

1a) For more effective results use the pen tool to create a more accurate path. Then click on the path tab in the layer box. Next double click on the path in the layer box to save the path, just click ok. Finally click on the small arrow to the far right of the path tab and scroll down to make selection.

Rather if you decide to use step “1” or “1a”, the more accurate you are in tracing the object the less sloppy it will look at the end. It is important to trace directly around the object you only want the color shift to take place or the color will bleed off to other parts of the image.

You should now have the marching ants around the object.

.
.
2. Next, go to the top menu and click on image, adjustments, then Hue/Saturation. You can now slide the Hue bar left or right to the desired color of your choice.

.
.
3. YOU ARE FINISHED!!!!!! Hopefully you will not have a lot of cleaning up to do 🙂 Remember, you can really get creative with this technique. So think outside the box!

Peace!

Outcast

Have you ever let a person’s outer appearance determine whether or not you speak or love on them? As sad as it may seem, I know I have been guilty of this and God dealt with me big time on it. I’ve even said to God at times “there are some crazy people out there and I don’t want to get caught up in any mess.” It was like I was trying to find any little reason to back out of stuff. I do believe God gives us wisdom and the Holy Spirit will compel us to approach those that are in need. But sometimes God may make us do something out of the ordinary. 

In todays society there are so many people dealing with AIDS, addictions, prostitution, colts and all sorts of other problems. It is sad to know that some people, even believers have rejected these people. 

In Mark 1:40-41 it reads; A man with a skin desease came to Jesus. He fell to his knees and begged Jesus, “You can heal me if you will.” Jesus felt sorry for the man so he reached out his hand and touched him and said, “I will. Be healed.” NCV

A simple touched from Jesus made a world of a difference in that man’s life. Jesus was not concerned by the man’s apperance, character, sickness or anything. He just saw a man in need who was depending and believing in Him. 

We have the opportunity to make a huge difference in our community if not the world! But as Jesus did, to make a differnce we have to be willing to be different and do things that may take us out of our comfort zone. Let’s be filled with the same compassion Jesus had. We have to do things with the love of God. Without God’s love we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13: 1-2).

Let’s Love everybody and not shy away from those in need!

Peace!

Boogie On Down 2

From left to right: Lacey, Pasha, Sabra, Neil, Lauren & Danny

Well everyone, tonight we will find out what two next contestants will get voted off. This has been an awesome season so far! In the past, there has never been a female winner but I think the guys or in for it this season.

I think Sabra or Lacey have the best chances of winning this year. Danny on the other has been pretty consistent throughout the season, up until last week with his hip-hop routine. Hip-Hop dance is just not his style. Right now, it is kind of tough for me to narrow it down to one dancer I think will win. I am torn between Lacey and Sabra. They are both energetic, consistent, have incredible techniques and are overall amazing performers. They both really get into their characters. I guess we will just have to see what happens.

Peace!

God Out of The Box

This is an amazing read! The Author, Chuck Ripka, explains Just that in this book — taking “God Out of The Box”. Ripka explains how we limit ourselves and what God can do in our lives. One of the main reasons we limit ourselves is through a lack of obedience. When we can fully and truly trust God and obey Him, He will then be able to do the extraordinary in our lives.

The author also talks about how as we go through the process of earning God’s trust with the smaller things, he will then open doors for the larger things. Here are some of the principles that are covered in this book:

• Above all else, God desires our obedience.

• When we obey God, He takes care of the bottom line.

• Stop praying only for others. Start praying with them.

• When God opens a door, our job is to walk through it.

• Get Comfortable being uncomfortable for God.

• You can run but you can’t hide from God.

So far this book has been a great inspiration. I will let you know more as I progress through the chapters.

Peace!

Thursday Night

The service tonight at Embrace was off the chain. Pastor John R. preached an incredible message tonight. If you didn’t make it out tonight you missed an awesome service. From praise and worship to the word God delivered, the night was truly amazing. Pastor John has been preaching a series on transformers and finally tonight, the young adults were able to experience the teaching.

He spoke on how we have the power to transform. Here is a very brief run-down.

1. Getting Plugged in: How do we get plugged in? Prayer, The Word, Resisting Temptation, Being Obedient.

2. Understanding the Power: God has given us access to the same power He used to raise Jesus. (Ephesians 1:19-20): and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. The enemy is after us because he know that we have the ability to destroy him.

3. Flipping the Switch: We have to follow God’s will for us. Some of us have been Christians for a long time and we stay in our word, we pray, we have an understanding of the power but we remain closed.

I pray that God will allow us all to realize our value in Christ. Through Christ, we have the power to make a difference. Let’s put it into action!

Thanks Pastor John!

Peace!

Graphic Design 3

Using the Color Range Tool

When the selection you need to make can be identified by its color, the Color Range selection tool provides a pretty cool alternative to the Magic Wand. The magic wand is cool but a less effective way of altering color ranges. To see the Color Range tool in action, choose Select then Color Range in the drop-down window. From the Select drop-down list, choose what you want to select. Use the Sampled Colors option to select a color by clicking with the eyedropper on the image. Alternatively, you can choose to make a selection of all the reds, yellows, greens, cyans, blues, or magentas in the image. Further options include the ability to select the highlights, midtones, or shadows.

To make a selection of colors you sample yourself, set the Select Option to Sampled Colors and click with the eyedropper on a color in the image. The areas that match the color under the eyedropper will be selected and will appear as white or light gray in the preview image in the Color Range dialog box. To add colors to the selection, click the Add to Sample tool (the eyedropper with a plus sign) and click again on other colors in the image until you’ve selected everything you want to select. Use the Subtract from Sample eyedropper to remove colors from the selection. The Fuzziness slider enables you to select more or fewer colors—adjust the slider until you’re satisfied with the selection, as shown below. I hope this is all making sense so far. 🙂

Sample:
The Color Range tool lets you make a selection based on color. Use the Fuzziness slider to adjust the amount of color selected.

To preview the selection on the image, choose an option from the Selection Preview menu:
Grayscale, Black Matte, White Matte, or Quick Mask. These options show you the area you’ve selected. When you’re satisfied with the selection, click OK and the selection marquee will appear on your image.

The Color Range tool is particularly useful for selecting highlights, midtones, and shadows when you need to adjust these settings separately in an image. It’s a cool alternative to the Magic Wand because it gives you more options for making color-based selections, including the ability to preview the selection before you have to commit to it.

Peace!

Graphic Design 2

To change the color of an image, press Cmd/Ctrl+U to open the Hue/Saturation dialog box as represented below. Then move the Hue slider to change the color. Use the Saturation control to adjust color intensity, and Lightness. Click on Colorize to add color to a grayscale image or to add a duotone effect to an RGB/CMYK image.

Peace