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Poser - OFFICIAL F.A.Q (Last Updated: 2024 Nov 27 5:12 pm)



Subject: How do you do postwork/touch-up in Photoshop?


GBREAL ( ) posted Sun, 11 November 2007 at 8:42 PM · edited Thu, 28 November 2024 at 6:20 AM

I am a beginner in the world of 'art', and I enjoy looking through the galleries here. I can't seem to figure out how you guys are creating this wonderful art using Poser & Photoshop. I am not sure how to go from Poser to Photoshop to the final piece. I know this a general question, but how does one do post work?


SamTherapy ( ) posted Sun, 11 November 2007 at 8:52 PM

It depends on what you want to do with postwork.  Some people paint over their renders to create clothes and hair which wouldn't otherwise be available for Poser.  Some use postwork to touch up where body parts have poked through clothes, or to fix a bad looking joint on the figure.  Others use it to colour shift, saturate or desaturate their image, to lighten or darken and so on.  Yet others use it to piece together multiple renders and/or drop in a background image.

If you are wanting to paint onto your renders to add clothes, hair, jewellery and so on, there are several tutorials on the subject.  Quite possibly some are here at Renderosity.  There are definitely several at DAZ, www.daz3d.com  and most likely at RuntimeDNA, www.runtimedna.com

I have absolutely no doubt Acadia, the Goddess of Poser Links, will have several good links for you to visit, too.

Just to get you started, you should always render as big as possible for postwork and then ensure you export your image in a lossless format such as PNG or TIF.  Always work on a separate layer when you start your postwork, unless you absolutely have to work on the image itself.  In which case, work on a copy of the image layer.  That way, you can always go back to the original if you do something wrong.

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DarkEdge ( ) posted Sun, 11 November 2007 at 9:12 PM

Since you appear new to the digital art world, one thing that definately comes in handy in Photoshop is called an adjustment layer.

Photoshop is very overwhelming at first but the more you use it the more comfortable you'll become with it. You'll also become more comfortable with it's many tools that you can apply to a layer (filters, curves, levels, etc.) Most of the time when you apply these tools they are a one time thing, you apply it and you can't readjust it...it's done.
But there is something called adjustment layers, with this you can apply some of your favorite tools as a seperate layer that will affect everything below it. But the cool part is that as you compose/paint/add to your artwork you can go back to that adjustment layer and make changes to that layer tool as you work...so you aren't tied down anymore to what was, you can adjust the layer as you proceed.

I know the idea and concept of what I'm talking about is probably greek to you but keep it in the back of your mind and when the time is right...look it up. They are the best.

Good luck and hope this helps.
Ray

Comitted to excellence through art.


Acadia ( ) posted Sun, 11 November 2007 at 9:24 PM

I can't help you with Photoshop.  But save your image as a .psd file so that you can work on it in Photoshop.  You can also save it as a .png file if you want a transparent background.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi



MegaJax ( ) posted Sun, 11 November 2007 at 9:44 PM

WHAT!!!! Acadia CAN'T HELP!!!! HO NOOOOOooooooo LOL


Angelouscuitry ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 12:50 PM · edited Mon, 12 November 2007 at 12:51 PM

I do alot of Compositing, with Photoshop.  Like when I ca'nt sdecide wich way I'd like to render something; I just render both ways, add each render to a Photoshop Layer, and then play with the Layer's Opacity.  Or when I just ca'nt get two different Objects to render the way I like them, within the same scene, at the same time.  Then I just render each seperate, and put them together with Photoshop!

Photoshop also has some really great tools, for brushing up your images.  I use the Clone Tool, and the Blur tools alot, to get rid of unwanted shadows, like joint bend creases, etc.

Acadia - .PSD is good, but it still a Compressed format.  Window's native .BMP is the best(most raw) format, to archive your images.   I would think it would be best to save, from Poser, as .BMP; and then let  the newest version of Photoshop create your  .PSDs for you.


Acadia ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 1:32 PM · edited Mon, 12 November 2007 at 1:33 PM

Quote - WHAT!!!! Acadia CAN'T HELP!!!! HO NOOOOOooooooo LOL

LOL, I do have Photoshop CS2 but can't get beyond the learning curve! The only thing I  know how to do in it is apply brushes,!  Once I've done that  I go back to my reliable and user friendly Paint Shop Pro :)

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi



Acadia ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 1:35 PM

Quote - Acadia - .PSD is good, but it still a Compressed format.  Window's native .BMP is the best(most raw) format, to archive your images.   I would think it would be best to save, from Poser, as .BMP; and then let  the newest version of Photoshop create your  .PSDs for you.

A .bmp file has a background when taken into a graphic program.  An image rendered without a background and saved in .png, or .psd format will not have a background when opened in a graphic program.  They are also considered "lossless" formats meaning that the quality of the image is not lost when saved in tha format.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi



XENOPHONZ ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 1:40 PM

There's a running inside joke in the community about Poser having a built-in 'Make Art' button.  But the well-disguised secret -- which is understood by those who are truly in-the-know -- is that the 'Make Art' button can be found only in Photoshop.  Nowhere else.

It's wise to carefully hone your PS skills -- PS finishes what all of the other apps start.

Something To Do At 3:00AM 



Angelouscuitry ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 4:02 PM · edited Mon, 12 November 2007 at 4:09 PM

I'm just trying to iterate which format is actually best, even for Photoshop.  My point is that .BMP is just the best quality format; becasue there is just more data, for everyone to rely on.  I realize there are size and render time issues, for people using .BMP, but for top notch work, that either needs to be taken up with yet another revamp of the .BMP format, or the hardware you use.

"Lossless" is a very loose term, considering the file has been compressed; which ultimately results in a loss of data; when compared back to the .BMP.  There are other formats known as lossless formats(I think even a %100 .JPG,) and I'm not saying these do'nt look O.K.; but that just does'nt mean they hav'nt been compressed at some point.  And then who is to say I would never need the image data that was disgarded, at some point in the future, after all of the hours I spent rendering??

I, personally, doubt very much that Poser 7 can save a .PSD as good as Photoshop CS3; so I would always(in theory) recommend exporting as a .BMP, becasue then CS3 would just have more data to to pick and choose from.

I knew about .PNG, and it's background; but think .PSD needs work within a Channel, before the background is actually clear?


Morgano ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 6:57 PM

Always start by duplicating the original layer and never touch the original layer (except, maybe, to hide it).   While you're experimenting with postwork, you can't have too many layers.   


raven ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 9:05 PM

file_393249.jpg

One of the legendary 'Make Art' buttons in Poser 7, courtesy of PhilC's PoserToolBox! :)



flibbits ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 9:46 PM

I really don't understand how layers work in Photoshop.  When I use multiple layers, only the top layer is visible.  If I try to play with opacity, I can make the top layer more transparent and wispy, but can't blend layers to make them both very sharp and clear.

What's the skinny on layers?



Angelouscuitry ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 10:17 PM

Lets say you have two layers.  On the first(bottom) Layer 0 you have a sky, for a background.  And on the second Layer 1 you have a render of a person, with a different background.  ANd lets say you like the person of Layer 1, but would prefer the background of Layer 0.  

Both Layers would, simply, need to have 100% Opacity;  but you would then select the background, of Layer 1, and Edit > Clear it.  Then all of the pixels that were Cleared would be Transparent Pixels, and the Background of Layer 0 would then show through those pixels.


drifterlee ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 11:03 PM

Go to Amazon.com and buy a good book on whatever version of Photoshop you have. The book will explain all the mechanics. I hardly ever do postwork, except for touching up pokethrough and my signature, and also sharpening and/or brightening or contrast. I am basically a straight (meaning I only use Poser itself) artist, but some people do a lot of painting with Photoshop and other programs, like Paint Shop Pro and Painter ( owned by Corel now). You can get a lot ot free filters for Photoshop and also free brushes and actions, just run a search and there are some here at RR. You might also want to invest in a Wacom tablet - Graphires are the cheapest - if you like to paint because it is more precise than a mouse and more like real painting/drawing. In PS, if you want to see your different layers make sure "layers" is checked in the Window category, then you just click on the different layers in the viewer to see what you have. A good book on Photoshop is a must. There are also plenty of free tutorials here and elsewhere.


Miss Nancy ( ) posted Mon, 12 November 2007 at 11:37 PM

in the old days, they useta use APS to create a 40% trans blur layer over the render, in order to hide the lighting, shadowing and bending defects. I recall month after month of posts at legume's poser newsgroup where they reiterated said techinique. I dunno if they still do it, but I see from poser and vue posts that they're still having the same probs with poser figures, 10 years later. maybe it would help to read the manual, god forbid. and all that stuff written by tony hernandez, god rest his soul.



GBREAL ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 10:24 AM

I just started using Photoshop, so I really don't know how it works. I appreciate your insight.


SamTherapy ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 10:37 AM

The best book I have seen for Photoshop is Photoshop Wow! by Linnea Dayton and Jack Davis, published by Peachpit Press.  My copy is some years old and for Photoshop 6 but I believe it's been updated recently.

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Gini ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 11:20 AM

Attached Link: Photoshop Tutes

Here is one useful Pshop tute site ... loads quick and easy (imo) of different things applicable to figures and backgrounds. 'How To Cheat In Photoshop' by Steve Caplin is a great book for learning how to fake all kinds of things in Pshop . ' Creative Photoshop Lighting Techniques' by Barry Huggings is useful if you don't get the light quite right in Poser and 'Advanced Photoshop' is a great mag here in the UK . I'm sure there are equally good ones in the US. for following tutorials and learning all kinds of tips from. Basically the more you learn about Photoshop , whether it's towards illustration, photography or whatever it is all useful in your postwork arsenal ! Also check out the PS brushes by Deviney and Designfera here in the MP .. great stuff from both .

" Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."
-Monty Python


Angelouscuitry ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 12:46 PM

I'll second WOW, from Peachpit Press; I've had it since Photoshop 4!


vincebagna ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 1:22 PM

Quote - One of the legendary 'Make Art' buttons in Poser 7, courtesy of PhilC's PoserToolBox! :)

Woosh! I'm very curious to know what happens when you click on that button??? ^^

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SamTherapy ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 1:43 PM

Quote - > Quote - One of the legendary 'Make Art' buttons in Poser 7, courtesy of PhilC's PoserToolBox! :)

Woosh! I'm very curious to know what happens when you click on that button??? ^^

 

It's also in Wardrobe Wizard. :)

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vincebagna ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 1:51 PM

I have WW but never saw that!
Well, now i'm thinking of it, the only button i ever found is "Make craps" ^^

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Conniekat8 ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 4:34 PM

oh, so there IS a MAKE ART button!
I better go install my WW... bought it few months ago, and never got around to using it yet.
Then I could go MAKE ART  :lol:
........Kitty puffs up her chest and breaks into a Make Art Strut......

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crucibelle ( ) posted Tue, 13 November 2007 at 6:36 PM

Quote - I really don't understand how layers work in Photoshop.  When I use multiple layers, only the top layer is visible.  If I try to play with opacity, I can make the top layer more transparent and wispy, but can't blend layers to make them both very sharp and clear.

What's the skinny on layers?

Try changing the 'blend mode' of the top layer.  Also try gausian blur on the top layer, then change the blend mode.  You can get some interesting effects that way. 


GBREAL ( ) posted Wed, 14 November 2007 at 11:22 AM

Is there anyone that doesn't do postwork and still gets great renders?


Acadia ( ) posted Wed, 14 November 2007 at 12:47 PM

Quote - Here is one useful Pshop tute site ... loads quick and easy (imo) of different things applicable to figures and backgrounds. 'How To Cheat In Photoshop' by Steve Caplin is a great book for learning how to fake all kinds of things in Pshop . ' Creative Photoshop Lighting Techniques' by Barry Huggings is useful if you don't get the light quite right in Poser and 'Advanced Photoshop' is a great mag here in the UK . I'm sure there are equally good ones in the US. for following tutorials and learning all kinds of tips from. Basically the more you learn about Photoshop , whether it's towards illustration, photography or whatever it is all useful in your postwork arsenal ! Also check out the PS brushes by Deviney and Designfera here in the MP .. great stuff from both .

The link posted doesn't work. It times out for me.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi



SamTherapy ( ) posted Wed, 14 November 2007 at 12:57 PM

Quote - Is there anyone that doesn't do postwork and still gets great renders?

 

The only postiwork I generally do is compositing several renders, since Poser throws a fit at the stuff I throw at it.  Whether or not I get good renders is entirely up to the viewer.  I'm generally happy with the results, though.

Here's where I get tagged as a postwork hater...

For me, there are two separate parts to my work.  Stuff I do for pay and stuff I do for me.  When it comes to paid work, I'll use everything at my disposal, of which Poser is usually a very small part.  

The majority of my paid work comes from a combination of Photoshop, hand drawn images and photographs.  My personal work - especially here - is in Poser.  I try to wring the very best out of Poser that I can, mainly because it's a challenge to get something out of my imagination onto the screen.  Most times I could probably paint the damn thing quicker.  Now, I could do a basic render in Poser then tart it up in Photoshop but where's the fun in that?  I'd rather learn all the tricks to get the best out of my little low end 3D app than spend most of my time painting over the picture.  I'd get bored to death.  Finally, I get satisfaction from knowing I've pushed Poser a little bit further, none of which I'd have been able to do otherwise.

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GBREAL ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 2:15 PM

I think I just need to learn how to use Poser better. I would prefer not having to do any "post work" at all. I thought in order to have "good" reflections, lighing, materials etc. post work was needed. 


SSAfam1 ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 2:44 PM · edited Thu, 15 November 2007 at 2:53 PM

Quote - Is there anyone that doesn't do postwork and still gets great renders?

 
LOL I saw the other day November's Portrait Contest, for which, you aren't allowed to do any postwork. I thought to myself, asking Poserers to refrain from doing postwork, is like asking women to go outside without makeup. You just don't do that!:lol:


Gini ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 3:20 PM

Quote - > Quote - Here is one useful Pshop tute site ... loads quick and easy (imo) of different things applicable to figures and backgrounds. The link posted doesn't work. It times out for me.

Hmm, don't know what to say to that .. is working ok for me . Perhaps this way ? http://photoshoptutorials.ws/

" Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."
-Monty Python


SamTherapy ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 3:51 PM

Quote - > Quote - Is there anyone that doesn't do postwork and still gets great renders?

 
LOL I saw the other day November's Portrait Contest, for which, you aren't allowed to do any postwork. I thought to myself, asking Poserers to refrain from doing postwork, is like asking women to go outside without makeup. You just don't do that!:lol:

 

Unless you're me. :biggrin:

Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum.

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SSAfam1 ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 4:01 PM · edited Thu, 15 November 2007 at 4:08 PM

Quote - > Quote - > Quote - Is there anyone that doesn't do postwork and still gets great renders?

 
LOL I saw the other day November's Portrait Contest, for which, you aren't allowed to do any postwork. I thought to myself, asking Poserers to refrain from doing postwork, is like asking women to go outside without makeup. You just don't do that!:lol:

 

Unless you're me. :biggrin:

 

:blink: Very bold of you.


SamTherapy ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 4:06 PM

Quote - > Quote - > Quote - > Quote - Is there anyone that doesn't do postwork and still gets great renders?

 
LOL I saw the other day November's Portrait Contest, for which, you aren't allowed to do any postwork. I thought to myself, asking Poserers to refrain from doing postwork, is like asking women to go outside without makeup. You just don't do that!:lol:

 

Unless you're me. :biggrin:

 

:blink: Very bold.

 

Nah, I look terrible in makeup. :biggrin:

Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum.

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SSAfam1 ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 4:19 PM · edited Thu, 15 November 2007 at 4:20 PM

file_393481.jpg

> Quote - Nah, I look terrible in makeup. :biggrin:

 

No worse than Twisted Sister I'm sure.


SamTherapy ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 4:23 PM

Quote -

Quote - Nah, I look terrible in makeup. :biggrin:

 

No worse than Twisted Sister I'm sure.

 

Probably.  My Good Lady says I'd make the world's worst transvestite.

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MegaJax ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 8:53 PM

Quote - > Quote -

Quote - Nah, I look terrible in makeup. :biggrin:

 

No worse than Twisted Sister I'm sure.

 

Probably.  My Good Lady says I'd make the world's worst transvestite.

 

Has she seen you wearing her cloths when you go out with the lads on a Friday night SAM? LOL


SamTherapy ( ) posted Thu, 15 November 2007 at 9:28 PM

Not recently. :biggrin:

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raven ( ) posted Sat, 17 November 2007 at 6:27 PM

file_393638.jpg

This is the result of using the Make Art button in PhilC's PoserToolBox :)



Tiari ( ) posted Sun, 18 November 2007 at 8:49 PM

For photoshop, you can start by posting over in the photoshop forum here on renderosity.  they'd probably have more of the 411 your looking for on techniques.    Basically, you have to wade through a lot of tutorials and try them, its not an instant process in learning.

I used to use Paint shop pro, and found photoshop too daunting..... what a mistake.  When i finally bit the bullet, and dove in, wow, what an improvement!  Not saying PSP is bad, just you can do more with photoshop.

The best format, unless you want a transparent background is a PSD file.  BMP's are TOO huge, and are not very reader friendly.  Try uploading them somewhere and you'll see what i mean.  PSD's keep the quality good.

Bigger is not always better, if the image is HUGE, you'll find this lag in working, where you try to paint something and it takes four minutes or so for the paint to actually show up.  The trick is making it big enough, but also the higher dpi.  render your images at at least 300 dpi, then you can expand and contract it without any real loss of content structure.


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