Digital Techniques

Exploration in Photoshop, 3D Studio Max and AutoCADBy Linda BurrowsN0170514

Photoshop

Photoshop is a graphics manipulation programme, allowing the user to alter photographs and images in many different ways.

Photoshop is used by theatre designers to create set and costume designs in an easy, professional way.

This is the first exercise I did in Photoshop. To create it I used an outline of the figure and images of different textures and fabrics to fill it in.

To do this I copied and pasted an image of the fabric I wanted to use on the image of the figure. I then used the magnetic lasso tool to select the part of the image I wanted the fabric on, then inversed the selection so the fabric would only be seen in the outline of the figure.

At first I found this quite difficult as I had never used Photoshop before but the more I used the technique the easier it became. I found this a quick and effective way of creating a costume design.

Photoshop

To create these images I used photographs altered using the filters on Photoshop.

In the image of the Pompidou Centre I used a “neon glow” filter and added a lens flare to represent the sun to create a dynamic feel to the picture.

For the forest image I played around with different filters and decided on dark brush strokes, and then changed the contrast to make the image darker for a spooky, enclosed feel.

I enjoyed using Photoshop, I found it useful but I feel that I need to use it regularly to really get a grasp of it. Hopefully I will get a chance to use it for future design projects.

3D Studio Max

3D Studio Max is a popular animation programme used for its modelling capabilities.

In this exercise I have created a basic set design of a stage, a table and a few basic props.

I produced this by drawing 3d shapes into the environment, adding textures using bitmaps to give it a sense of realism and then added lighting effects to make it look naturalistic.

I found 3D Studio max very complicated to use but I was very pleased with the end result so it was worth the perseverance. However I feel that I need to use the programme again to really get to grips with it.

3D Studio Max

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a design and drafting package enabling technical drawing and modelling.

These were initial exercises to give a brief understanding of the programme.

We used several basic instructions to create the shapes including the chamfer, fillet, mirror, rotate and offset functions as well as showing the dimensions of the shapes.

With instruction this programme was easier than I expected it to be but some parts were still quite tricky.

AutoCAD

This exercise was to consolidate the skills learnt in the previous drawings.

At first I thought that drawing this floppy disk would be a little more difficult as it looked more complicated than the other exercises, but once I had started it, I realised that it used the same commands as the simpler drawings.

There were things I struggled with though such as the smaller details on the disk and adding the dimensions to the smaller measurements.

Summary

I learnt a lot during these lessons and experienced some programmes that I otherwise would never have used. I was quite pleased with the work I produced though I feel I could have improved the images if I knew the software better. I would like to learn about these programmes in more detail so I can use them to better effect.

However I feel that I could have benefitted more from these sessions if the group had been smaller and the tutors had had more time to spend with individuals. I also think that the sessions were rushed, as though too much was trying to be squeezed into one session.