Posted on July 22nd, 2013
1123 views This Photoshop CS6 tutorial will guide you through some basicanimation techniques while showing you how to create a realisticlightning bolt from scratch. The technique described below uses frameanimation, layer styles, and an awesome freeware tool that is availablefor everyone on the Internet. Tutorial AssetsThe following assets were used during the production of this tutorial. Please download them before you begin. Step 1: Document setupLet’s get started by opening the base of our image with the background I prepared for you. Step 2: Creating the LightningOpen the DP-Animator: Lightning program and set the following parameters on the left:
You should get the following shape: Step 3: Export Lightning AnimationClick File > Export Animation... and select the "Save as Sequenceof PNG Images". In the next dialog set the output folder and file nameand set the following parameters: Sample duration = 40, Number ofsamples = 4. Step 4: Import Lightning Animation into DocumentIn Photoshop, click File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack... and add all PNG frames hat you create in the previous step. Click OK and wait until all layers are loaded, then select all layersin the new document and drag and drop them into the document youcreated in the Step 1. Step 5: Add Lightning into DocumentSelect all lightning layers in the layers window and group them bypressing Ctrl+G. Then move them into the top left corner as shown on thescreenshot. Step 6: GlowSelect Group 1 in the layer window and open the Layer Style dialog.Add Outer glow and set Opacity = 89, Color = White, Size = 21. Step 7: Creating frame AnimationFinally we are ready to create animation from the prepared assets.Activate the timeline tool by Clicking Windows > Timeline. In thebottom dialog click Create Frame animation. The first frame of ouranimation will be automatically created. Set timing to 0.1 sec. Hide alllightning layers except the first one. Click the “Duplicate selected frame” button, hide the first lightinglayer and show the next one. Repeat these actions for each lightinglayer. For the last lightning frame, set frame delay to 0.2 sec.Finally, add the last frame with delay of 1 sec and all lightning frameshidden. Step 8: Save the ResultTTo save your animation, click File > Save for Web..., select GIFformat and set output file size and format settings. Click Save... tofinish this tutorial. |