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Read
this first!:
Here is
just one of many ways to add vinyl graphics to your vehicle.
Experiment with other methods!
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We
are going to add come vinyl graphics to this BMW. (though this
car needs nothing to look better!) |
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Our
first step, and perhaps the most difficult, is to make the
selection where we want the graphics.
I personally used a combination of the and tools.
Remember that when you hold Shift or ALT while you
are using these tools, you are able to add or subtract from the
existing selection.
I also used the Transform Selection method to do some of my
tweaking.
-Select
-Transform Selection
TIPS:
Remember
to only select portions of the body. Try to keep the
selection consistent with the lines of the car. Keep in
mind that you're working with a 3Dimensional object.
Meaning the back of the car will be farther away from the front,
so make your selection get smaller as it moves to the rear of
the car to keep it proportionate to the lines of the car.
If there is side molding, then maybe use the tool to compensate
for the small curvature because the molding actually sticks out
of the body a little bit.
For you avid PhotoShop users out there, the best and most
accurate method is to use the and create an outline following
the lines of the car closely, the right-clicking on the path you
created and click "Make Selection."
Whew! OK I'm done.
Tools used this
step:
Poly Lasso
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While
our selection is still active, we're going to COPY and PASTE it.
You can either "CTRL-C" (copy) and then "CTRL-V"
(paste)
-or-
"Edit - Copy"
"Edit -Paste"
This will
result in a new layer from which we will use from here out.
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With
our layer we just created still active, we are going to change
the color.
I chose red for my vinyl graphics, you can use whatever you
like.
To do this, simply go:
-Image
-Adjust
-Color Balance
Start with the
"Shadows" option and drag your slider toward your
desired color.
Use "Midtones" and "Highlights"
to fine tune your color.
TIP:
Avoid
dragging the slider ALL the way. This will result in some
funny and choppy textures.
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The
next step is at your discretion and really depends on the
color of your graphics and the color of the car. So this
is where you get to experiment!
At the top of your layer menu you'll see a drop down menu.
This is known as our "Layer Style" menu and
provides a world of options.
Rather than
explain each one, I encourage you to try ALL of them and notice
the resulting effects of your vinyl graphic layer. Might
prove useful to know for future Chops.
My color
combination looked best when the "Multiply"
option was selected. "Overlay" usually
works best however, but not in this case.
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Viola!
We just made a beautiful BMW completely ugly! |
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