easy digital watercolor

[majid]

the main idea is: copy tha fist su exported layer( a gussian blur /and then (unsharpen mask) layer) over the first layer as overlay (+ curves midified) then using anothercopied layer and posterized/then gussian blured for more color as mutiply and then overlayed over first layer . and a spatterd layer for watercolor effect over them . then merged together . u may improve the technique

[PKast]

Canoek,

I will post Majid's actions for PhotoShop. You may need PhotoShop 6 or greater for these actions to work, I'm not sure. He actually has two actions, both are a little more involved than what he describes.
I will post some images of before and after. The second action I will post in a separate reply.

Majid's Photoshop Action 1:
-Copy Background Layer ("Background Copy")
-Gaussian blur 11.5
-Image/Adjustment/Posterize 16
-Glass/Frosted, 14,11,100%
-Set current Layer Style: Overlay, Opacity 100%
-Copy Background Layer ("Background Copy 2")
-Gaussian blur 5.4
-Image/Adjustment/Posterize 12
-Set current Layer Style: Multiply, Opacity 100%
-Image/Adjustment/Brightness +55, Contrast -90
-Make a New adjustment Layer (Levels 1)
-Image/Adjustment/Levels: RGB Input 0,1.83,255; Output 0,255
-Select Layer "Background Copy 2"
-Gaussian Blur 3.2

[majid]

here is my 2nd generation and 3rd generation of watercolor action ( specially for pure SU output , not renders ). i used it over the image that PKast send . the main idea is combination of filters to make strong edges like watercolor and spreading color to near areas .

[PKast]

Canoek,

Here is Majid's 2nd action for PhotoShop. This action is longer than the first.

Majid's Photoshop Action 2:
-Copy Background Layer ("Background Copy")
-Gaussian blur 11.5
-Image/Adjustment/Posterize 16
-Glass/Frosted, 14,11,100%
-Set current Layer Style: Overlay, Opacity 100%
-Gaussian blur 5.4
-Image/Adjustment/Posterize 12
-Set current Layer Style: Multiply, Opacity 100%
-Image/Adjustment/Brightness +55, Contrast -90
-Make a New adjustment Layer (Levels 1)
-Image/Adjustment/Levels: RGB Input 0,1.83,255; Output 0,255
-Select Layer "Background Copy 2"
-Gaussian Blur 3.2
-Colored Pencil 24,7,42
-Edit/Fade 50%, Normal
-CutOut 8,5,3
-Edit/Fade 24% Normal
-Texturizer/Canvas 170%, 3
-Spatter 6,5
-Texturizer/Sandstone 170%, 3

Thanks Majid. I think you use some interesting techniques in your style, a little bit different from the others. I learned a lot by studying your actions. I also like the idea of using actions to quickly get through the tedium of repetitive tasks.

Best PKast

[canoek]

thanks PKcast for listing the steps in Majid's actions. i tried them both, but i don't think either one is effective in creating a DWC. it has been my experience that if you want to create realistic DWC there isn't a one button filter or action that will do it for you. you must play with ps filters and adjust to taste.

here is my DWC of your skippy utilizing basic ps techniques.

jb

[Ross Macintosh]

I couldn't resist playing with PKast's original image and trying to turn it into a digital watercolour. I tend to agree with Canoek's comments regarding needing to look at each image and adjust. The tweaking needed suggests creating an 'action' might not be suited. My own technique isn't done in Photoshop. I use Xara Xtreme Pro vector illustration software. In it I do use PhotoShop-compatible filters. For this image I used 'KPT Pyramid Paint', a 'jiggle' filter and a bunch of Xara transparency features. Early I also combined the image with another bitmap to get in the mottled colours and to wash out the foreground.

If I had had a line only export to add to the mix I think I could have had a better result. Overall the technique I use is easy enough I tend not to think in terms of automating it.

Regards, Ross

[majid]

i 've tried to make an action that works over pure su exports not renders . i've tried to simulate watercolor loose and nonuniform color surfaces ... and put enough adjusting layers over the result to enable you to simulate watercolor . also it simulates semi realastic render . you can see my weblog for more samples . or if it is possible give me one of your su pure outputs to see the result . BTW i agree that having a good DWC needs experience and also working whit your digital software . plz see : http://art-yeganegi.blogspot.com/2008/0 ... olors.html

[PKast]

I still think Majid came up with some new and interesting uses of PS filters, that are not commonly used in Dennis' or Grant's techniques or in the Sketchup PDF about watercolor effects on Skippy files. I do agree that these actions by themselves would only be a starting point in the DWC process, not as an end result.

Ross, I do think what you were able to do with a jpg is quite remarkable. That looks pretty good to my eye. You may spike a sales upsurge of Xara Xtreme

Here is a result using Majid's actions as a starting point.

By the way the skippy used here was created by VaST Architecture in Colorada and downloaded from the 3d Warehouse only for illustrative purposes here in this post.

Best, PKast

[Ross Macintosh]

I'm sorry but much of the discussion about actions goes over my head since I'm not a Photoshop user. I do have a basic understanding of them and wonder about an alternate approach to using them. My thought is perhaps seperate actions could be created that would process the various SketchUp exported images that make up a digital watercolour. Typically I find I'll export a colour only (no lines & no shadows); a lines only; and a shadow only (I do that using a style I developed for just that - available at FormFonts - it is Called "Lonely Shadow"). My technique process involves processing each of those images in their own fairly typical method - ones that I'm suggesting could be actions - and then visually merging them using transparency effects. It is that visual merge that I'm suggesting might be better left to a manual approach that brings 'judgement' into the process. I just find the settings I use when trying to visually merge the various layers will vary from one digital watercolour to another. They are affected by the particular colours used and where I want to add visual focus. In other words, the visual combining part is the artistic stage perhaps best not left to an action. I do see that actions could speed up the preliminary portion.

One digital watercolour tip I'd like to share (besides the one about the 'Lonely Shadows' style) is to remember you can use the individual imports more than once. For instance, take the colours-only layer. I typically process copies a few different ways and then bring them together with the visual merging. On one copy I might strongly adjust the levels so all the highlights are powered up, midtones powered down, and shadows ramped up. When overlayed with transparency over other differently-processed versions you'll find it can greatly add to the tonal variations in the resulting image. Similarly I find I will typically process at least two versions of the lines-only layer for merging into the final rendering. Same for that shadows only layer.

Regards, Ross

I attach a digital watercolour made from pure sketchup exports. It features the Vespa modelled by Allister for FormFonts. The rendering was done in a series of experiments where I was trying to develop my techniques. I do think the vespa rendering is overworked but a reasonably successful experiment.

[pmiller]

Further to Ross --
I've tried several times to use PS actions* but have not had any results that compare favorably to the tried-and-true Dennis, Grant Marshall, or Worncall methods. They all involve multiple exports from SU (line, shadows, color/texture) and layering in Pshop plus the various filters and plug-ins.

Here's a very quick application of Grant Marshall method (without the benefit of multiple exports from SU which would make a much better result). Grant's method is still the best (in my book) for getting a watercolor feel.

*I do use actions, but in multiple sets on various layers as Ross suggested.

[majid]

it sounds great !! and what are the steps to reach this, plz?

[pmiller]

it sounds great !! and what are the steps to reach this, plz?

majid, are you asking PKast, Ross, or me?

[majid]

yes i mean you plz

[pmiller]

majid,
I have sent you a PM.

[Pixero]

I've been trying to achive watercolor look in photoshop and here is some thoughts of mine:

First, I haven't yet seen any of you actually use a watercolor paper texture with the right grain. To me it look like either burlap or canvas.
I also think anything believeable must contain human mistakes and simplifications.
Study how the colors in a watercolor painting is usally brighter/lighter than in a photo.
A central part of watercolor paintings is the way water affects the different color pigments. (I dont know the correct english words for the different effects.) Like blooming and edgebite and so on.
Here is a photograph I turned into a watercolor painting in Photoshop.
What do you think?

[Ross Macintosh]

Most Excellent!

Do you have the paper texture in a format you can share?

Regards, Ross

[Pixero]

Its a small jpg. Here you go. Open in PS and Edit define pattern then use the paint bucket with the pattern on a new layer and set blend mode to. Linear burn. Try scaling it up to 200-400% for "bigger bumps".
Not always 100% opacity for that layer. Experiment. But dont stop at just using a paper texture. Look at paintings and try different PS brushes. There are some great for spatter and such.

[majid]

here r other .hope u njoy

[canoek]

Pixero - wow! that is really impressive. could you post your method please

Ross - i like your work. i followed your thread awhile back, when you were experimenting with different techniques with the vespa. looks really good.

regards,

jb

[PKast]

Pixero,
Very good. You're watercolor and Ross' earlier one in the post are very impressive results from just plain jpegs. If you would be so kind as to share your technique that would be great.

Best,
PKast

[mirjman]

here's my shot at it, with line overlay and a "find edges" layer on the poster layer. its not coming out as soft as some of the other posts here, maybe its because of the lines

[mirjman]

here's another try with lightened up linework

[Ross Macintosh]

Cool!

I really like that last one! Looks great!

Regards, Ross

[canoek]

mirjman - i really like the last one too. really cool look. post more.

jb

[boofredlay]

Very nice... as was said, the last one

[Pixero]

Pixero - wow! that is really impressive. could you post your method please

My method isn't a "one click" solution. I use very different settings depending on the image but the basics is:
First color correct the image to brighten and saturate it a bit to make it look more like a painting colorwise. Then I usually use surface blur filter to get rid of some detail. (I Make most changes on a copy of the latest layer to be able to paint back detail with a layermask if needed.)
Then I apply some filters on the surface blurred layer. It can be water color, drybrush or paint daubs or poster edges depending on image. I then mix between different effects with layer masks and also applies the paper texture above. Usually scaled up 200-300%. I Also use bits and pieces from real watercolor painings to get the typical watercolor looks like blooms. Then I Use some photoshop brushes for some spatter effects to get those tiny human mistakes that help selling it as a painting.
Collageing and filtering in Photoshop is the best we can do until Moxi is ready: http://visgraph.cse.ust.hk/MoXi/

[sk.lion]

and here is the PR render of the first subject . i did it not too tight , the floor bump is too heavy , and the TV & vase & plants R not good at all ... btw here it is

Nice, i like the lighting in this picture, it looks so realistic. Thanks for uploading these pictures.

[majid]

thanks SK LION

[mirjman]

another post per request, this time on a photo i found online. i also included the layer stack at the end. remember majid's rules- this is a "one touch" solution with no human judgements in the process.

one note is that photoshop filters act according to _absolute_ pixels in an image, that means you will get different results with bigger or smaller base photos, so try to resize them at the beginning to get consistent results. this image was originally 1800x before i cropped it so you could see the detail

for this I used photoshop cs3 and a free plugin called carravaggio by xero

1. copy background layer, apply filters in this order: surface blur to get rid of brick texture detail, gaussian blur, colored pencil set layer to "multiply" mode 90% opacity

2. copy the water puddles layer, apply find edges filter, set to "multiply" mode 50% opacity

3. copy the background, apply suface blur and caravaggio filters

4. make a new layer, apply render>clouds filter, apply render>fibers filter and scale in the horizontal direction ~200%, add a layer mask and apply render>clouds filter to the layer mask. set to "overlay" 25% opacity

5. create paper layer per pixero's directions above (thanks!!!) set layer to "multiply" mode

6. copy paper layer, set to "soft light" mode 75% opacity


after that you can adjust contrast/saturation to fit your taste, but the previous steps get to you to a good point in about 10 seconds. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has success with this method...

[majid]

thanx so much , i'll try it , BTW i have ps 8 !! .