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<i>Poser and Photoshop Integration</i> by Stephen Burns

Dec 27, 2009 at 12:00 am by Store Staff


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With over 14 years as a digital instructor and lecturer, Adobe Photoshop expert and Smith Micro Poser Pro CG artist, Stephen Burns knows his stuff. The fact that he is a master digital artist is evident in the newest addition to his growing instructional library of books and DVDs: Poser and Photoshop Integration (creating Art In the 3rd Dimension) produced by PhotoshopCafe.

Not only is Stephen Burns a remarkable digital artist, he is also a professional photographer. His over twenty-eight years of photography expertise brings a distinctive touch to his expert tutorials; especially when it comes to explaining lighting and camera angles within both Poser and Photoshop.

The Poser and Photoshop Integration DVD also comes with an Exercise Files folder that includes all the Poser files that are needed to create the initial 3D OBJ. figure, as well as all of its digital image file content (UV and Bump maps). Along with the Poser 3D files, are an array of 2D image files used for both texturing the 3D figure and for background imagery.

A special note: Although parts of the lessons can be re-created using Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, the optimal software for this class would be Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended, as it utilizes the new and improved 3D manipulation functions that are described within the training DVD. Also, to export and manipulate the 3D object, it is imperative to use either Photoshop CS3 Extended or the preferred Photoshop CS4 Extended, as the “Extended” versions of Photoshop include the 3D work functions.

Poser and Photoshop Integration takes you through the steps of creating a 3D figure in Poser, exporting the figure into Photoshop CS4 Extended, and then manipulating the 3D figure as it is integrated into the Photoshop workspace environment.

The DVD is divided into three sections. The first is the opening screen which allows access to 17 lesson buttons, as well as helpful links allowing for quick access to the PhotoshopCafe website, where you can ask questions in the interactive forum, or purchase additional training classes.

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Poser and Photoshop Integration Intro Screen © 2008 PhotoshopCafe

The second section includes a brief introduction to the DVD and provides instant access to the first three Poser lessons. Lesson one is an overview of the Poser Pro interface. Lesson two teaches basic posing and lighting techniques. The last Poser lesson deals with understanding the Poser Pro exporting commands that allow the proper integration of the 3D figure into Photoshop Extended.

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Poser and Photoshop Integration Poser Lessons © 2008 PhotoshopCafe

Anyone new to Poser knows how frustrating it can be to manipulate characters the first time you open the program. If you are just starting out in Poser, the first three lessons are invaluable, making Poser and Photoshop Integration a must-have companion for the Poser novice.

If you are a long-time Poser user, you may want to fast forward through the first two Poser lessons, as they are very basic. However, there are some tips and tricks that make the first two Poser lessons worthy of viewing, even if you are at the Poser expert level.

Although the Poser lessons may at times appear very basic, the third section, which is divided into 12 invaluable Photoshop lessons, will impress even the most experienced Photoshop user. The three-and-a-half hour DVD is packed with imperative detailed explanations of each aspect of Photoshop CS4 Extended and how to integrate a 3D character into the Photoshop workspace.

The tips and tricks employed by Stephen Burns, along with his easy manner and effective method of teaching, make this a student friendly course. However, a basic knowledge of Photoshop is essential to following the Photoshop lessons, as someone using Photoshop for the first time would be overwhelmed with this section, as it employs many complicated and intricately detailed techniques.

The DVD is packed with Photoshop and 3D manipulation tips and tricks, and the lessons fluctuate from novice to expert users as they delve into: utilizing layers, curves, clipping paths and masks, manipulating 3D lights, and painting techniques.

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Poser and Photoshop Integration Photoshop Lessons © 2008 PhotoshopCafe

The lessons take the student through multiple steps of working within a 3D environment in Photoshop, as well as how to re-create texture maps and reconstruct lighting within Photoshop.

Even though the work files are included with the DVD, if you are expecting a cut and paste tutorial, this is not the training DVD for you. As Stephen Burns makes you not only work at getting the lessons right, he insists that you “think” about what you are doing. In short, he teaches! He explains in detail how to create a 3D image from a 2D painting, using reflectivity, light and shadow. But most importantly, he teaches you to have fun with the creative process, and as he says, to be free-hearted with your creativity!

Bonus material includes an Adobe CS4 “super guide” provided by the PhotoshopCafe training team. This is not merely a guide, but an intense exploration into Adobe’s newest creative suite. It is also the launch of the inaugural issue of Colin Smith’s newest magazine, Creative Studio (CAFE). Written by an elite group of Adobe experts, the premiere issue of the magazine is packed with everything you would ever want to know about the Adobe CS4 Master Suite.

Lessons included in the DVD:
Introduction to the DVD, Overview of Poser; Viewing Cameras, Lighting in Poser; Posing Character; Exporting Poser objects for Photoshop’s 3D Layers; Inspecting content in Bridge; Compositing in Photoshop CS3 Layers; Working with 3D Lighting in Photoshop; Importing 3D objects into Photoshop; Editing UV texture maps; Painting in 2D and 3D; Applying photographic textures in 3D, Creating bump maps for texture, Creating Color maps; Creating the background environment; Creating the Mountain landscape; Enhancing the lighting details in scene; Adding foliage to the mountain base; Working with shadow and highlights

Price: $49.00 [USD]

Min. System requirements:

  • PC: 700Mhz Pentium: Windows 98, 2000, XP.
  • MAC: G4: OSX,
  • CD Rom and Speakers, Min Resolution: 1024 x 768

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All supporting images were used within the context of a product review
All supporting images are copyrighted by PhotoshopCafe and Stephen Burns
© 2008 PhotoshopCafe. All Rights Reserved.
Supporting images cannot be copied, printed, or reproduced in any manner


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December 28, 2009

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