Layers TV: Episode 36

Corey shows us a practical use for the Vanishing Point filter.

• Open the images you are going to use in Photoshop
• Copy the image you are placing, then create a new layer above the other background image
• Go to the Vanishing Point filter
• Use the Create Plane tool to draw out a plane in the space you want to place the image into
• Paste the first image into your background document
• Use Free Transform to scale the image to it fits nicely into the plane
• Add some dimension and realism by bringing in elements from the original background

RC and special guest Christy Winter break down how a recent Layers magazine cover design was created.

• Find some background images and images of flames and smoke at some place like iStock Photo
• Open your images in Photoshop and work on the flames image
• Select the luminosity of the flames layer and drag that onto the background image
• Use blending modes to adjust the look of the flames
• You can also adjust the Blend If options to isolate just the flames
• Select the luminosity of the smoke and bring that into the working document
• You can use the Liquefy filter and Free Transform to create varying flame patterns
• Drop the finished image into InDesign and assemble all the elements of a magazine cover design

Contest Winner
RC and Corey have decided that the weekly contest winner from Layers TV will be announced in RC’s blog post. Be sure to check the front page post for the name of this week’s winner and tune in to this week’s episode to find out what the contest question and prizes are.