Photoshop is an excellent tool for manipulating photographs but it can also be used as a means to create stunning digital art. This tutorial is part of a 25-part video tutorial series demonstrating everything you will need to know to start producing digital art in Photoshop. Digital Art for Beginners, by Adobe Certified Expert and Instructor, Martin Perhiniak will begin by teaching you how to draw in Photoshop. At the conclusion of this series you will know all you need to produce your own concept art and matte paintings in Photoshop.

Today’s tutorial Part 24: Paint a Castle in Photoshop – Part 1 will explain how to paint a castle on top of a photograph. In this part we will explain how to set the perspective, draw the outlines, and lay down color. Let’s get started!

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Recreate a sneak-peek banner ad for a fictional car company with Edge Preview 4, using Symbols, Web Fonts, and Clipping features.

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If you’re a graphic or web designer by trade, chances are coding a website isn’t something that you prefer to spend your time on. That’s why many designers get frustrated when tasked with having to design and code a site by themselves. Today, our friends at PSD2HTML are coming to the rescue by offering 4 lucky Psdtuts readers $300 worth of services for free. To enter, all you have to do is submit your entry using the form below.

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When most people think about Photoshop, they probably don’t think about 3D. What most people don’t realize, however, is that Photoshop CS5 Extended includes some powerful tools to help you render your artwork in 3D. In this tutorial we will demonstrate how to create a mini planet using Photoshop’s 3D capabilities. Let’s get started!

Tutorial Assets

The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial.

• Stars
• Sky
• Lights
• Planet texture1
• Planet texture2
• Water texture

Step 1

Create a new document, the size is 1400 x 1400px, 96 pixels/inch. Fill background layer with radial gradient or apply Gradient Overlay effect (unlock background layer).

Step 2

Insert sky image. Go to Edit > Transform > Rotate 180°. Then choose Transform > Warp, apply Arch transformation like on the example. Make active Distort transformation and drag sky layer corners. Follow screen shot red arrows directions.

Step 3

Add Layer Mask to the sky layer (click Mask icon in the bottom of layers palette). Fill Mask with the Black and White Reflected Gradient . Correct top right edge with soft large Brush Tool. Apply Screen Blending Mode, Opacity 80%. Add Adjustments Clipping Masks to this layer – Black & White and Levels. Click  icon in the bottom menu of the Layers Palette. Select all adjustments layers (make them active), right click > choose "Create Clipping Mask". Apply setting for each adjustment layer like on the examples below.

Step 4

Group and duplicate sky layers, move them up. Edit > Transform > Rotate 180°. Apply Scale transformation to this group of layers to make it smaller than the bottom one. Now you should have gradient background and two groups of sky layers.

Step 5

Insert stars photo. Remove reflections with the Patch Tool. Select reflections and drag the selection border to the clean area. When you release the mouse button, the trace of the selected area is patched with the sampled pixels.

Step 6

Rotate it on 90° and apply Warp Arch transformation just like for the sky layer in previous steps. Then stretch this shape and rotate it again.

Step 7

Duplicate stars layer, turn it on 180° and move it left and down.

Step 8

Merge stars layers and apply Screen Blending Mode. In order to completely remove light background shade, go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and move left black marker to the center a bit.

Step 9

Let’s make snow material for the first 3D shape. Open a new document – 1200 x 1200 px, 96 pixels/inch. Unlock the background layer and convert it to the Smart Object. Layer > Object Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object. Apply Color Overlay effect to this layer .

Step 10

Apply following filters. Filter > Noise > Add Noise and Filter > Artistic > Sponge. Use settings like on the screen shots below.

Step 11

Crate a new layer fill it with black color, Click "D" to make default black and white colors. Go to Filter > Render > Different Clouds. Repeat Command/Ctrl+ F until you get similar effect like on the screen shot. Apply Screen Blending Mode to this layer. You may save this texture as a regular JPG file.

Step 12

In order to create 3D sphere with mountains landscape, we need to make special grayscale texture. Make a new document 1200 x 1200px 96 pixels/inch. Fill the firs layer with gray color #9f9f9f.

Step 13

Create a new empty layer, go to Filter > Render > Clouds. Keep foreground/background colors black and white . Scale the "clouds" layer like on the screen shot and apply Screen Blending Mode.

Step 14

Add Layer Mask to this layer and fill it with Radial Black and White gradient from center to edges. Then make several copies of created layer. Apply random Scale, Rotation transformation for each copy and set smaller amount of Opacity – around 40-60%. Light colors are creating heights of the mountains and spots with smaller Opacity parameter making them lower. Group the clouds layers and set opacity for the group folder around 75%. Merge all texture layers and add Gaussian Blur effect, Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur ~2px. We need to make very smooth and low contrast image. You may check out the result with the high contrast texture on the last two screen shots.

Step 15

Insert created texture to the main Photoshop document. Put it above stars and sky layers. To optimize 3D rendering process, I’ve made Smart Objects for all 3D shapes in this tutorial. For another thing, our textures have different size than main Photoshop document, but in order to create the regular sphere shape, texture should cover whole working area. Right click texture layer, choose Convert to Smart Object. Double click Smart Object thumbnail to open smart object content in a separate window and convert it to 3D shape – Open 3D settings window, Window > 3D and choose 3D Mesh from Grayscale > Sphere. After editing the contents choose File > Save to commit the changes. Those changes will be reflected upon returning to the main file window.

Step 16

Here you may see the camera settings for the 3D scene.

Step 17

Use these tools to rotate, move and scale created 3D shape.

Step 18

Apply following Scene settings. In final change "Quality" from "Interactive (Painting)" to "Ray Traced Final". Download lights presets, choose "Replace Lights Presets" and find "lights_mountains" on your computer. Apply Snow texture to the Diffuse and Bump parameters.

Step 19

Apply Inner shadow effect to created 3D layer.

Step 20

To create water texture, create a new large document 2400 x 2400px, 96 pixels/inch. Apply blue gradient to the first layer.

Step 21

Set default colors just like on the screen shot, create a new empty layer, go to Filter > Render > Clouds. Then Filter > Artistic > Plastic Wrap.

Step 22

Duplicate textured layers two times. Apply Soft Light Blending Mode to the bottom layer and Screen Blending Mode to the top one.

Step 23

Add "Black&White", "Levels" Adjustment Clipping Masks to the top layer. Save this texture as a regular JPG.

Step 24

Return to the main Photoshop file; create a new layer above the first 3D mountains smart object. In order to get the exactly same size sphere, create a square 1200px x 1200px, use the same color as for the mountains texture background – #9f9f9f. Right click gray layer, choose "Create the Smart Object from this layer". Double click layer thumbnail to open smart object in a separate window. 3D > New mesh from Grayscale > Sphere. Apply absolutely the same 3D object and camera tools position settings as for the mountains shape in previous steps. The new shape should be the same size as the previous one with the mountains.

Step 25

Adjust scene settings. Apply Ray Traced Final Quality after other adjustments. Upload water texture to the Diffuse and Bump parameters. To find better texture position, right click texture icon and change Texture Properties. For the Bump setting you may use default texture properties. Download light preset for the water layer and apply it using the same way as for the mountains 3D layer.

Step 26

Add the Layer Mask to the mountains Smart Object in the main Photoshop document or to 3D layer inside the smart object. Fill the mask with the Linear Black and White gradient in the bottom part. Then choose small round Brush Tool and correct surface contour with black or white color in the Layer Mask.

Step 27

Now we have background layers and two smart objects above. Move water layer below the mountains. Load selections for the current mountains layer Select > Load selection. In order to make left bottom part of the snow shape smoother, make active water layer and copy selected area. Paste copied water part above both of objects, add Layer Mask, fill it with the linear gradient just like on the screen shot and apply Soft Light Blending Mode.

Step 28

Crate a new document for craters texture, 1200 x1200px, 96 pixels/inch. Fill the first layer with #808080 color. Keep default colors . Create a new white or black layer, go to Filter > Render > Different clouds. Repeat Command/Ctrl + F several times to get the similar effect.

Step 29

Add Levels Adjustment Clipping Mask to the clouds layer. Merge clouds with the adjustment layer, go to Image > Adjustments > Invert, and apply Screen Blending Mode to it.

Step 30

Change Opacity parameter for this layer and add Layer Mask. Fill it with the Radial gradient from center to edges.

Step 31

Draw a small circle in a new layer, apply Gradient Overlay effect to this shape.

Step 32

Duplicate created circle several times, apply Scale transformation for them to create different diameter craters, Play with Opacity setting to get different heights. Group circles layers and apply ~30% Opacity to the created group folder.

Step 33

Now you may merge all texture layers, apply Gaussian Blur filter -2px and move the final texture layer to the main Photoshop document. Convert it to the Smart Object, double click Smart Object thumbnail to open inside content in the separate window. Convert Texture to the 3D shape.

Step 34

Apply Camera position settings the same as for all previous shapes. Move, scale and rotate the 3D shape to find better position. You may find how it looks like in the main Photoshop document on the second screen shot. Apply "Snow" texture for Diffuse and Bump settings. Upload "lights_planet2" preset for this shape. Pay attention to the new light source – blue reflection from the water sphere.

Step 35

Apply Gradient Overlay effect to the third smart object layer. You may use Spectrums gradient preset – "Light Spectrum".

Step 36

Duplicate craters Smart Object layer several times to create small planets. Double click each new Smart Object thumbnail to open 3D settings. Scale, rotate and move each shape to get different positions. Correct Opacity setting for the far planet Smart Object layer ~ 84%.

Step 37

Check out all 3D shapes "Ray Traced Final" Quality scene parameter, to get the better result. Select whole working space in the main Photoshop document, Select > Select All, then go Edit > Copy Merged. Paste merged composition into a new layer (layer 18 on the screen shot below). Press Quick Mask icon .

Step 38

Choose Reflected Black and white Gradient Tool. Keep Quick Mask pressed. Find craters 3D shape in the bottom layers and load selection for this layer. Take large soft translucent white Brush Tool and touch the bottom part of selected area. Choose Select > Deselect.

Step 39

Keep active Quick Mask Mode. Load selection for the water sphere, add to selection "mountains" layer, use Command/Ctrl + Shift + click "mountains" layer thumbnail. Correct Mask in the selected area with the translucent soft white Brush Tool, just leave light pink shade on the mountains tops and "south pole". Deselect planet shape. In final touch left edge of the right bottom small planet with the small soft translucent Brush Tool.

Step 40

Deselect any active selections and then release Quick Mask button. Go to Filter > Blur > Lens Blur.

Step 41

Duplicate merged layer after lens corrections, go to Image Adjustments > Black and White (default). Apply Soft Lights and Opacity 20% to this layer.

Final Image

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Do the tutorials on Psdtuts+ go a little bit over your head sometimes? Not to worry. We’ve released a 30 day course that will help you feel comfortable and confident using all of Photoshop’s most important functions, like layers, the brush tool, blend modes, smart objects, and lots more! In one month, you’ll have well and truly learned how to use Photoshop. The course includes over 5 hours of video lessons instructed by Ben Gribbin.

Course Overview

Introduction (33m 26s)

• Introduction (6m) – Free Preview
• Interface Walkthrough (9m 39s)
• Creating New Documents (10m 2s)
• Sidebars (7m 45s)

Layers and Navigation (1h 19m 51s)

• Navigation: Pan & Zoom (7m 44s)
• Toolbar Walkthrough (14m 44s)
• Introduction to Layers, Part One (7m 54s) – Free Preview
• Layers, Part Two (13m 10s)
• The Move Tool (8m 37s)
• The Brush Tool (17m 44s)
• History and the History Tool (9m 58s)
• The Eyedropper Tool and Color Sampler (13m 22s)

Meet the Tools (1h 28m 53s)

• Bucket & Gradient Tools (12m 4s)
• Selecting with the Lasso & Marquee Tool (12m 6s)
• Clone Stamp & Pattern Stamp Tool (11m 44s)
• Selecting with the Magic Wand Tool (4m 52s)
• Using Custom Shapes (11m 58s)
• Text with the Type Tool (15m 46s) – Free Preview
• Vectors with the Pen Tool (11m 38s)
• Opening & Importing Files (8m 45s)

Manipulating Effects (1h 49m 15s)

• Save and Export Images (9m 30s)
• Using Blend Modes & Blending Options (18m 43s)
• Using Smart Objects (7m 52s)
• Using Transform Tools (12m 38s)
• Customizing Photoshop’s Appearance (9m 50s)
• Repairing with the Eraser and Spot Healing Tool (7m 44s) – Free Preview
• Course Project: Photo Manipulation (22m 39s)
• Using Filters (9m 20s)
• Dodge and Burn (10m 59s)

Conclusion (17m 35s)

• Solving Problems in Photoshop (6m 1s)
• Shortcuts and Performance (5m 28s)
• Conclusion (6m 6s)

Part of Tuts+ Premium

Become a Tuts+ Premium member to get access to 30 Days to Learn Photoshop, as well as 11 other full-length video courses, over $480 worth of eBooks, and 796 (and counting) Premium tutorials.

If you’d like to find out more about what Tuts+ Premium is, you can Take the Tour or watch the demo video.

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Photoshop actions are excellent tools for speeding up your workflow. In this Tuts+ Premium tutorial, author Diego Sanchez will use Photoshop actions to create a cocktail blueprint from scratch. This tutorial is available exclusively to Tuts+ Premium Members. If you are looking to take your digital illustration skills to the next level then Log in or Join Now to get started!

Tuts+ Premium Members can login now for instant access to this tutorial. Membership to Tuts+ Premium gets you access to hundreds of exclusive premium tutorials, top selling ebooks, in-depth courses, member forums, and much more. To learn more about Tuts+ Premium, Take the Tour or Join Today.

Click Here to Read The Original Post on PSDTuts

Photoshop actions are excellent tools for speeding up your workflow. In this Tuts+ Premium tutorial, author Diego Sanchez will use Photoshop actions to create a cocktail blueprint from scratch. This tutorial is available exclusively to Tuts+ Premium Members. If you are looking to take your digital illustration skills to the next level then Log in or Join Now to get started!

Tuts+ Premium Members can login now for instant access to this tutorial. Membership to Tuts+ Premium gets you access to hundreds of exclusive premium tutorials, top selling ebooks, in-depth courses, member forums, and much more. To learn more about Tuts+ Premium, Take the Tour or Join Today.

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This is a warning to any advertisers using Google’s click to call service – an advertiser of Google AdWords recently claimed that his click to call campaign is receiving invalid or fraudulent calls.

According to the advertisers Webmaster World post:

I’ve been happy with bid-to-call. It’s super cheap and some of the calls are good. Most are not potential customers, but that is true for clicks, too. That’s part of doing business. Overall bid-to-call has been a good thing.

However…. a couple of the AdGroups I had it on started getting a bunch of calls. These were low activity AdGroups, and there were most calls than clicks (normally the ratio is about a hundred clicks for every call). The calls were under 30 seconds, so Google does not charge us for them. I am not worried about the cost from Google. I am worried about the labor cost for my client who has to answer the phone. Too many of these low quality calls becomes a nuisance.

To remedy this, I paused the AdGroups that were generating these calls (at least, according to Google these AdGroups were generating a lot of calls.) After pausing, there were zero clicks. But the calls continued to come in! Google still reports under 30-second calls from these two AdGroups!

Is this a new form of spam or fraud? After worrying about fraudulent clicks for years am I now going to have to worry about fraudulent calls?

Click fraud has existed almost since the inception of the concept of pay-per-click marketing; sometimes at the hands of your own competitors and sometimes at the hands of the pay-per-click ad provider trying to drive up their revenue. However, click-to-call fraud is quite rare, but that doesn’t mean you should become complacent with these campaigns.

Is this a real fraud or just a bug in Google’s reporting system? A response from Google about this matter is still awaited. In the meantime, make sure to check your ad campaign and report anything suspicious before you incur any losses.

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Imaginism Studios is a group of independent and well-known artists that produce some of the most fun and upbeat designs, concepts, and illustrations that you will see from a studio or agency. In this article we will showcase some of our favorite pieces from their portfolio. Let’s take a look!

The Jellies

Red Queen

Crabby Chat

Ant Parade

Fairy and Owl

Bath Time

Marshmallow

Early Bloom

Red Sea Dragon

Mushroom Hunter

Guiding Light

Tigger

Ugly Duckling

Red Riding Hood

My Red Bike

Newborn

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Whether you’re a designer or developer, learn the basics of debugging and understand the most common issues that occur in debugging ActionScript 3 projects in Flash Professional CS5.

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