14 Replies Latest reply: May 25, 2011 11:20 AM by rollsnut RSS

    Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book

    rollsnut Community Member

      I am on a PC using Windows 7. I recently upgraded to CS 5.5 Extended and have been playing with the 3D features. I've found a few tutorials on 3D lighting but nothing that has helped too much and in one I did he was showing on a MAC. Normally there is no difference but in this one what he was doing was not working in my program...don't know why but option(s) wasn't even available (could have been me, don't thnk so).

       

      I am wondering if there are any good books available the deal in-depth with the 3D features?

       

      Any suggestions would be appreciated.

       

      Thanks in advance.

        • 1. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
          Mylenium CommunityMVP

          I am wondering if there are any good books available the deal in-depth with the 3D features?

           

          Wrong question...! You don't learn 3D by reading books on program X, just like you don't learn photography by reading the manual of a camera. You need to take a much broader approach by e.g. reading books like this one. And undoubtedly you can find tons of tutorials for 3D programs that will teach you some of that stuff just the same, you just mustn't lock yourself into this PS way of thinking....

           

          Mylenium

          • 2. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
            rollsnut Community Member

            Mylenium:

             

            Thanks for your response. I couldn't agree with you more about light. Since I do photography I understand the impotance of good lighting.

             

            You may also be correct that I asked my question improperly....I guess I am seeking how the Photoshop 3D lighting tool works, or is conceived to work, and then I can play with it to learn its nuances and move forward. Case in point: one video tutorial show the guy using the tool but like I said in my original post, the option he was using was not working for me. If I can just undertand the raison d'etre for the tool and the basics I'm good...the rest is, as you know well, playing with it to learn it better.

             

            Thanks again - the book looks very interesting and I'll look further into it.

            • 3. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
              Mylenium CommunityMVP

              It's just the most basic implementation imaginable (in 3D visualization terms) and there is not much you can do wrong, so I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for. If it doesn't work, then you have probably missed some secondary option somewhere or a problem with your graphics hardware, which may become relevant with some options like image based lighting. Please clarify what exactly you want to do and where it fails for you.

               

              Mylenium

              • 4. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                rollsnut Community Member

                Here is video I was watching and appreciating for a "intro" into the tools and light options: http://revision3.com/pixelperfect/3Dlighting

                 

                Get to about 5:42 in video ( beware, lots of commercials up front so drag to marker) and when he brings light source forward to show example this is where my options don't appear ( I have plenty of RAM and video headroom). I want to play with the tools to see their nuances then I'll adapt to my need.

                 

                The file I was playing with was one of the "soda can" effects available and this canned (no pun intended) effect leaves a dark line on the can and I was playing to see if the light "adjustment" might solve this.

                 

                I am wondering as I write this if maybe the video example is a 2D and while I was already working with a 3D file if this migh not have been the problem...I don't think so but have to rule it out.

                 

                Thanks for you assistance in this. I really appreciate it. Once I grasp it I'll be happy. Between this and some crazy things in Lightroom.......

                • 5. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                  SG... Employee Hosts

                  Hi,

                   

                  The tutorial is using a 3D postcard as the base to explore lighting. This is a flat plane mesh, whereas the 'Soda Can' shape is a cylinder with some added detail. The shape differences will affect how the light falls on the mesh, but it sounds like you aren't getting that far.

                   

                  In the 3D panel, in order to get the light tools active, you need to select a light. The easiest way to do that is to click the Filter by: Lights (light bulb icon) at the top of the panel. Now with the 3D light tool selected you can either click on the light widget in the document window then drag, or select a light name in the 3D panel then click drag any where on the document.

                   

                  If you can post a screen shot of the dark line, I'll better understand what you're seeing. I believe it is just the light interaction of the 2 infinite lights.

                   

                  There is a book out that was written by Ps engineers and discusses the 3D feature set of Ps CS5. I'll see if I can find other reference videos that might help out too. I know if one that does a good job of introducing the Repoussé feature, while explaining the 3D features more broadly. I don't recall it taling much about the lighting tools though.

                   

                  If you also need screen shots from me to help you out, let me know.

                   

                  regards,

                  steve

                  • 6. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                    SG... Employee Hosts

                    Hi

                     

                    I also just caught that the tutorial is using Ps CS4. The interface is changed in a few significant regards with CS5. I'll have to take another look at the tutorial and see where the delta's are showing.

                     

                    regards,

                    steve

                    • 7. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                      rollsnut Community Member

                      Thanks for your response. Athough I am attaching a low res photo as requested I still need some where to turn to learn about the 3D tools\lighting, etc. I realize this is a universal subject, I just thought there would have to be a book out there with tutorials that give the "universal" concept and at the same time being tool specific.

                       

                      In the sample I was trying to eliminate\reduce the shadow on the right.

                       

                      When I opened the psd to "play" once I was in the 3D Light Tools I was playing with some of the presets under the various "Lights." The when I tried to select "Custom" to go back to the default, it wasn't available. If you try presets but none work how does one get back to the default "Custom.?"

                       

                      Like I said I am willing to spend the time learning without cloging up the forum, I just need to know where to go. Learning takes time and and few...ok a lot...of swear words, but I am not one who posts questions without spending a few hours first trying to figure it out myself.

                       

                      Thanks again for any help.3D Sample-01.jpg

                      • 8. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                        Community Member

                        rollsnut wrote:

                         

                        ...without cloging up the forum...

                        Scratch that idea from your head. This isn't clutter.

                         

                        I noticed a couple Photoshop 3D books on Amazon that might be useful.

                         

                        Beyond the videos on tv.adobe.com, you may have trouble finding documentation on 3D in Photoshop as most of those that work in 3D (and would be qualified to teach or write about 3D) are using other dedicated 3D apps. That is not to say Photoshop is not capable for projects you may want to pursue... it is just struggling to gain an audience for 3D training.

                        • 9. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                          SG... Employee Hosts

                          Hi,

                           

                          The book that I mentioned which is specific to Ps CS5 can found by going to the 3D> Browse 3D Content Online... then scrolling to the bottom of the page. On the left side you'll see, 3D in Photoshop.

                           

                          To set the lights back to default, you want to choose the 'Defualt Lights' preset. I still need to find other material for you to look at. Here's a couple tutorials that one of the Ps Project Managers put together: http://psd.tutsplus.com/?s=zorana.

                           

                          regards,

                          steve

                          • 10. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                            rollsnut Community Member

                            Steve:

                             

                            Thanks for links but I'm not following the path  "3D> Browse 3D Content Online" . Where do I begin? I've poked around adobe.com. looked in help. but no cigar.

                             

                            Thanks,

                             

                            Brad

                            • 11. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                              SG... Employee Hosts

                              Hi Brad,

                               

                              Sorry about the shorthand. With Ps launched, you should find in the top menus, 3D, then at the bottom, Browse 3D Content Online...

                               

                              regards,

                              steve

                              • 12. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                                rollsnut Community Member

                                Got it - ordered book and know I'll learn something.

                                 

                                Thanks again,

                                 

                                Brad

                                • 13. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                                  SG... Employee Hosts

                                  Hi,

                                   

                                  Here's a very similar tutorial to Bert's but using Ps CS5. Corey does a great job exploring the 3D features in his tutorial's: www.planetphotoshop.com/3d-lights-on-2d-images.html

                                   

                                  He doesn't go into each of the light's properties but you can see where in the 3D panel to select tools. Something else new in CS5 to look for in these tutorials is that the 3D Axis widget changes depending on what you have selected. For instance, with a spot light selection the widget's controls change to indicate that you can rotate and slide the light around, but the scaling controls found with meshes are not present.

                                   

                                  Here's a longer extension of Zorana's tutorial, plus added content that you might also want to check out: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/max-2010-design/how-to-work-creatively-and-quickly-with-3d-in-ph otoshop-cs5-extended/ (she talks about lights @ 33:40).

                                   

                                  regards,

                                  steve

                                  • 14. Re: Query about CS5.5 3D Lighting Book
                                    rollsnut Community Member

                                    Steve:

                                     

                                    Zorana's video is great...not 30 minutes but an hour! Is there a way to download individual Adobe TV videos so one has it to refer back to when no internet is available?

                                     

                                    Thanks again for all your help....after seeing the video I am more anxious for the book to arrive.

                                     

                                    Brad