Abstract Art Using Plug-Ins
PhotoImpact 6.0

Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Needed Items:
  • Filter Factory A Filter Factory B Filter Factory G
  • Fantastic Machines Paint Engine
  • Plugin Commander Description: This tutorial uses extensive use of filters. It was inspired by a contest on a plugin site. The challenge was to write a tutorial starting with a blank canvas, and to show how filters can enhance an image.

    • Start with a white canvas, any size.

    2. Go to effects/filter factory a, marble madness one
    3. Set the settings like this.
     

    		 amount 5
    x adjust 78
    y adjust 70
    order 13.
    Click ok
    4. Go to edit/fill/gradient tab. Accept the default magic gradient. Set the merge method to hue & Saturation
    Click ok.
    5. Go to effect/filter factory G/xaggerate. Accept the default settings which are:
    //waves: 50
    _______: 32
    6. Go to effect/filter factory b/James Bondage. Change the settings to match these:
    Distortion Radius 39
    Twirl 111
    Transparency radius 68
    7. Go to effect filter factory b/sliding spirals. Change the settings to match these:
    Zoom in/out 70
    spokes 105
    rotation 124
    Shading amount 167
    8. Right click on canvas, copy, right click, paste.
    9. Go to format/invert. Right click/properties. Change merge to colorize.
    10. Right click, merge all.
    11. Go to effect/filter factory b, bubble.
    use the settings shown here:
    12. Use the selection tool to select the bubble area. Use the transform tool if necesary to resize it.
    13. Go to effect/Fantastic Machines/paint engine. Apply these settings.
    14. Since applying Paint Engine changed the selection to an object, we can now apply a merge method to the new object.  Right click, Properties. Change merge mode to multiply.
    15. Go to effects/filter factory a/pool shadow. Leave all settings default except change the shadow intensity to
    51.
    16. Go to effect/creative/particle. Click on the bubble particle if it is not already selected.
    Change the reflection to 100. Increase or decrease the size of the bubbles as you wish. On the left side is a preview screen. If you click on a bubble you will be able to move it around as you wish. Arrange your bubbles in a pleasing display. When satisfied, click ok.
    17. Go to Edit/fill/gradient tab. Click on the magic gradient preivew box and change the mode to 16. Change the merge mode to Luminosity only, and the transparency to 37.
    Click ok.
    This is where I left the image. You may wish to carry on with a few more (or many more) effects. Once you get started it is hard to stop. :-)
    The purpose of this tutorial was not so much to show you how to create an exact duplicate of my own, but to show you how valuable filters can be. Challenge yourself to create something of your own entirely with filters. Hopefully along the way you have picked up a few shreds of light helping you to better understand filters and how they work, plus a few tips in dealing with them.


    ©Deb DeHaven