LIGHTNING EFFECT


Lightning is one of the effects that can make an image spectacular, be it sci-fi, stormy, techno, space wars, or fantasy scene. Like an artist's imagination, it's use is unlimited. And wouldn't it be nice if you are able to create and control this spectacular effect.
Add something phenominal to your image! Don't worry... it's as easy as a chicken scratch. :)

REQUIREMENTS: PSP6 or 7, some drawing skill, imagination.

1. Open a New Image, SIZE=500 X 500, RESOLUTION=72, BACKGROUND=Transparent, IMAGE TYPE=24 bit.
2. On the Color palette, set FOREGROUND=Solid, COLOR=#FF4605 and the BACKGROUND=Solid, COLOR=#000000.
3. On the Tool palette, click on FLOOD FILL Tool and Right Click on the canvass.

4. Click on LAYER menu > Add New Raster Layer.

5. On the Tool palette, click on PAINT BRUSH Tool. Press the "O" key and follow the settings below:

      BRUSH TYPE=Normal     SHAPE=Round     SIZE=15     HARDNESS=1     OPACITY=100     STEP=25     DENSITY=100
6. Now, draw a lightning branch similar to the image on the left (or better yet, draw your own). The numbers indicate the Brush Sizes for each branch so make sure to change your brush SIZE where you want the lightning to taper off.
7. On the Tool palette, click on MAGIC WAND Tool and follow the settings below:

      TOLERANCE=10     FEATHER= 1

8. Press "CTRL"+"A" keys to select the canvas > Click anywhere on the canvas. The lightning branch should now be selected.

9. Click on SELECTION menu > Modify > Contract by 5. Click on LAYER menu > Add New Raster Layer.

10. On the TOOL palette, click on PAINT BRUSH Tool. Hold down the RIGHT Mouse button and color the selected area BLACK. When finished, hit "CTRL"+"D" keys to DE-select the area.

NOTE: You can increase the BRUSH SIZE to color the area easily. Alternatively, you can also use the FLOOD FILL and AIR BRUSH tool to color the selected area.

11. Click on EFFECT menu > Blur > Gaussian Blur > RADUS=1. Only the BLACK lightning branch should appear blurry.

12. Press "CTRL"+"2" keys. Click on EFFECT menu > Blur > Gaussian Blur > RADIUS=2. The ORANGE lightning branch should also now appear blurry.
13. Let's add some more branches. Click on LAYER Menu > Add New Raster Layer.

14. On the Tool palette, click on PAINT BRUSH Tool and draw hastily tiny, jagged lines like the image shown on the left. To show the lightning fading and tapering off as it moves away from the main branch, set BRUSH SIZE=3 > 2 > 1 and OPACITY=100 > 70 > 50 > 30 in descending order (see sample image on the left).
15. When you're done drawing, click EFFECT Menu > Blur > Soften.

16. Now for the magic trick....

      Press "CTRL"+"2" > click COLOR menu > Negative Image.
      Press "CTRL"+"3" > click COLOR menu > Negative Image.
      Press "CTRL"+"4" > click COLOR menu > Negative Image.
VOILA! You're done. Lightning extraordinaire ready for use.

17. If you want to get rid of the background and save it as transparent psp, gif, or png, or use it as a tube, press "CTRL"+"1" then "CTRL"+"X".

Easy isn't it? I hope you learned something from this tutorial. Like I always say, if you didn't get it the first time, try it again. Practice and patience are very important. Just have fun and be creative!

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