Week 11 - Photoshop Post-Processing

Arch 100a 2013 Fall

Course Arch 100a
Date 2013/11/08
Learning Objectives This week we will cover post-processing in Photoshop and go over a few workflows that can be used towards many different products. During individual sections we will review drawing standards for line drawings, specifically sections.
Agenda
  • Introduction of Photoshop fundamentals
  • Assorted Workflows
    • Layer Management
    • Basic Tools/Workspace Orientation
    • Channels
    • Clipping Masks
    • Levels
    • Filters
    • Layer Styles
  • Best practices in file management
Uses Tool(s) Photoshop CS5

Photoshop Fundamentals

  • Photoshop layers are like sheets of stacked acetate. You can see through transparent areas of a layer to the layers below, and the way you apply effects and transformations can impact the appearance of layers below. A layer's position in relation to other layers combined with effects and transformations allow for endless possibilities.

Review of Photoshop layer functions .

  • Introduction to Basic Tools
  • Channels allow to use control selections and adjust settings using alpha layers.
  • Clipping Masks allow you to use the content of a layer to mask the layers above it.
  • Levels allow you to correct the tonal range and color balance of an image by adjusting intensity levels of image shadows, midtones, and highlights.
  • Filters are helpful when cleaning up or retouching images, especially backgrounds. They are best used for applying subtle effects which conceptually support your visualization.
  • Layer Styles are assigned by layer, and affect the way the selected layer interacts with other layers.

Best Practices in File Management

The following is a short reminder of how to get the most out of the drawings in which you invest so much time and energy.

  • Determine what the largest dimensions are that your image will need to have.
Calculate what the pixel height and width your rendering will need to be to achieve the desired DPI at the desired dimensions in inches. This online Image Size Calculator may be useful.
  • Find your desired view in Rhino. This will be chosen based not only your overall concept, but on the clarity and significance of its composition. Do this carefully, using this workflow as a guide.
  • Once you have your desired view, save it using the NamedView command. Give this view a meaningful title, to help you distinguish it from other views you may already have or intend on creating.
  • Prepare your model for Vray and Make2d.
Use this guide to Vray to prepare your model for its closeup.
Use this Make2d tool guide to ensure your 2d linework comes out clean.
  • In the ViewPort menu, go to SetView, and select the desired view you previously created.
Select the geometry you wish to have as 2d linework, and subject it to the Make2d command.
In TopView, ensure that the geometry is as desired, and correct it using the trim, extend, etc. commands if need be.
Double check that all linework is in the correct layer, and that the lines are appropriately joined.
Use the Purge command to get rid of duplicate lines, surfaces, etc.
  • Export the corrected Make2d linework into Adobe Illustrator using the Export command.
Ensure that the linework is positioned proximally to the origin point in the Rhino file.
Either before you export, or when saving the new exported vile, ensure that your linework is scaled correctly to fit within the bounds of the Illustrator Artboard.
Give the file a meaningful name according to the naming system you are working with to organize your files.
  • Open the new Illustrator file of the Make2d linework, and assign appropriate stroke weights and shades to them. Use this workflow on Axonometric Projections and Drawings Techniques as a guide.
  • Next, back in Rhino, select your desired view, prepare Vray settings according to your desired image size and camera settings, and unleash the Render command. Be patient.
Be sure to save all of the image channels of your rendering.