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tkrones
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How do I create a 3D looking puzzle piece?

Jul 20, 2012 9:05 AM

I've tried searching google but haven't had luck finding the right tutorial.

 

I have a ton of stock images with the backgrounds removed that I need made to look like a puzzle piece with a 3D feel and a slight shadow to make it look like it's floating above the canvas.  I also will need to make an indented outline of the image where the puzzle piece would fit.  I've attached an example of what I'm looking to do (I don't need the wood background, I think I'd probably just use a solid color).

 

ddd.jpg

 

Can anyone point me to a tutorial or explain how to acheve this effect?

 

Thanks in advance.

1174 Views   13 Replies   Latest reply: tkrones, Jul 23, 2012 4:35 PM
 
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  • Noel Carboni
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    Dec 23, 2006
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    1. Noel Carboni,
    Jul 20, 2012 9:37 AM   in reply to tkrones
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    If you don't need a truly 3D rendering, and your presentation is purely face-on, you can select your object, cut/copy it to a new layer, then use Layer Styles to give it beveling and drop shadow effects.  A transformation on the puzzle piece layer can even give it a bit of rotation.

     

    PuzzlePost.jpg

     

    Sample PSD:  http://Noel.ProDigitalSoftware.com/ForumPosts/PuzzlePost.psd

     

    -Noel

     
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  • tkrones
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    2. tkrones,
    Jul 20, 2012 10:07 AM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    This is exactly what I was looking for.  You are the best.  Thanks!

     
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  • acresofgreen
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    3. acresofgreen,
    Jul 20, 2012 10:35 AM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    Noel, what a nice PSD illustrating this effect!

     
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  • Noel Carboni
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    4. Noel Carboni,
    Jul 20, 2012 11:22 AM   in reply to tkrones
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    You're welcome, and thanks to both of you in return for the compliments.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • tkrones
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    5. tkrones,
    Jul 21, 2012 8:32 AM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    I have another related question.  I would like to apply the bevel and emboss effect to a transperant outline and save it as a transparent image.  In other words, I want to be able to place a transparent image of the puzzle piece inset, anywhere on any background.  Does that make sense?  I'm tryign to reduce the number of images I create, if I want to change the background image on my website I don't want to have to create a new puzzle inset image.  Is that possible?

     
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  • Bo LeBeau
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    6. Bo LeBeau,
    Jul 21, 2012 9:22 AM   in reply to tkrones
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    You mean like this? Just reduce the FILL of the Puzzle Piece layer. Using FILL keeps the effect (drop shadow, emboss) while hiding the image.

    If you used Opacity it would hide everything.

     

    Also, thanks to Noel for providing such a great sample!

     

     

    PuzzlePosttransparent.jpg

     
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  • tkrones
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    7. tkrones,
    Jul 21, 2012 9:25 AM   in reply to Bo LeBeau
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    Perfect!  Thanks!

     
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  • tkrones
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    8. tkrones,
    Jul 23, 2012 11:21 AM   in reply to tkrones
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    I wrote a script to automate the creation of these puzzle pieces.  Everything is looking good except, there is an embossed edge around the border of the image (you can see what I'm talking about in Bo's image above).  Is there anyway to not have that border?

     
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  • conroy
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    9. conroy,
    Jul 23, 2012 11:32 AM   in reply to tkrones
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    Make a layer with no Layer Style Bevel, which contains a duplicate of only the outer border of the unbevelled image (i.e. it'll have a big rectangular cut out like an empty frame), and put that new layer on top.

     
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  • Noel Carboni
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    10. Noel Carboni,
    Jul 23, 2012 11:58 AM   in reply to tkrones
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    That's happening because the pixel data for the layer ends right at the edge of the displayed canvas.

     

    Another workaround might be to make canvas larger (Image - Canvas Size), fill the outer area with something non-transparent, then crop it with the [  ] Delete Cropped Pixels option disabled.

     

    I've sometimes wondered why Adobe didn't provide an "Avoid effects on outer edge of Canvas" option.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • tkrones
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    11. tkrones,
    Jul 23, 2012 4:23 PM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    Conroy2009, I thought of that but I'm saving teh images with a transparent background so I can't cover it up.  

     

    Noel, That sounds like what I need but I can't fine the Delete Cropped Pixels option that you talked about.  When I crop, I don't get a dialog.

     

    Tom

     
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  • Noel Carboni
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    12. Noel Carboni,
    Jul 23, 2012 4:33 PM   in reply to tkrones
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    With the Crop Tool selected it's a setting up in the Options bar. 

     

    • For Photoshop CS6 it's a checkbox visible all the time. 
    • For CS5 as I recall it's a radio button choice you could only see in the Options bar after having dragged the Crop Tool and before confirming the crop.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • tkrones
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    13. tkrones,
    Jul 23, 2012 4:35 PM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    I see.  Thanks!

     
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