adding realism

Hi, Im creating a belt and right now its just a black stripe. What do I do in Paint Shop Pro to add depth and realism to the belt. I'm using PSP.

That's a pretty broad question. You're basically asking for art lessons, which is a bit beyond the scope of a forum like this.

There's no "add realism" button. Creating the look you want is your job as an artist, not the software's job. The software is just a set of tools, nothing more. It cannot know what "realism" means. To judge what looks "real" or "unreal" takes a human.

Take a look at a real belt, or at the very least, a photograph of a real belt. Notice where the highlights and shadows fall on it. Notice its texture. Is it made of leather or canvas? Is it glossy or diffuse? Is it loose fitting and hanging or tightly stretched? What sort of ornamentation does it have? How does said ornamentation cast shadows and reflect light onto the rest of the belt, and vise versa?

It's all about learning to see the way artists see. Learning to use any particular software package is way secondary to that. Once you have an idea of the specific effects you want to create, come on back and ask how to do those specific things. Until you reach that point though, I'm afraid forums won't do you a whole lot of good.

I think we should all politely ask Adobe to add a "Realism" tool to the Photoshop toolbar.

Yeah my question was written on the way out the door, let me a bit more specific this time. I'm looking to add a shine and highlights like you would see on a leather belt. Also I would like to add some shading to add depth. I just don't know what tools to use to accomplish this in Paint Shop Pro. I'm not looking for a magic button or a tutorial, just a nudge in the right direction. I imagine I'll use something to lighten the top edge of the belt that darkens closer to the orginal color as it closes on the front face to show the beveled edge and the same but with darker shading on the bottom edge to show the depth and shape of that side too. I'm currently using version 11 of the software if that helps. Thanks.

As far as adding shadow, say to the raised areas to show depth, try selecting the area and adding a drop shadow, usually 3-5 pixels will do it.

As far as the inner areas of the belt try selection an area you wish to highlight and fill with a lighter color then blur out the edges, or even use the smudge tool. I am not familiar with the current tools, now available in PSP, so it might be easier another way. I believe ther eis still a buttonize tool in PSP too that can be used to make raised areas when selected, not quite sure.

Nothing can actually compare to the trial and error method and coming up with a way you find the easiest, I use Photoshop now and use Burn and Dodge for lighten and darkening areas but still use the layers as a way to make shadows due to being able to fade the layer to the degree I need. I also save the textures in ".psd" format so I can change aspects of the image in different ways through layers.

Like I said bets to play and make mistajes, no better way to learn the program and develop your own ways to create your masterpieces.

Hi Angela!

Try and play around with the dodge (make lighter) tool and the burn (make darker) too. I advise against making the belt 100% black as you will not be able to add any depth. Try a very dark gray instead.

Another thing I like to do is use the 50% gray on a layer in the Burn blending mode for darker and the white on a layer that's in the Overlay blending mode/option (sorry..I don't do techno-babble).

The best advice I can offer is to layer the shadows and highlights.

For example:
- New layer, change the blending mode to Overlay, Color Dodge, or Soft Light.
- Soft small brush with white or very light gray
- Make your highlight, add a bit of gaussian blur.
- Another layer, change blending mode...make highlights then hit it with the blur again only this time a little less so that this layer will be a bit more prominent.
- Repeat to your heart's content.

Do the same with the 50% gray with a small soft brush on a layer that's in color burn, linear burn, or multiply mode.

Now I am far from an expert in PS as I'm self taught via reading and studying the tutorials on-line.

I'm sure a real expert will be along shortly to correct or add to my example, but hopefully this will get you started.

Have fun!

~Ari

ETA *eeeeep* I just re-read your post and see that you're using PSP. I use Photo Shop so I'm not sure any of this will translate over.

My apologies...I'm going to bed now before I confuse any one else.

Thank you Arikinui and Salindria. Even though you two use a different application, you both did a great job of explaining your approach and that is exactly the type of information I can run with.

Good!

~Ari