Tutorial : Magic effect
It would be best to read it on the blog instead of the dashboard. So, I've done this tutorial before, but as I never saved it on my computer, I am bound to write it again. Behold! this is the way to give a « magic » effect on your avatars (or gifs, icons whatever.. as long as it is a picture). I'd like to say that this is only my way to do it, I'm sure there are other people who did the tutorial too. So I'm not crediting myself, just the writing part. So before we start here, there are some important informations you need to know: .1 Not claiming I did this first. .2 The ressources I used for the magic effect are here : Octomoosey ( I personally use the first two and the last two.) & texture gifs. Thank you both for making such great textures ! (The snow flakes gifs are great to use!) .3 If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. .4 Thank you to the anon who found the perfect name to this kind of effect ! ♥ .5 So, my CS5 is in french but I'll translated the word you need, don't worry. And now, let's get started ! First of all, you have to open animation if it isn't yet. Go to window > animation Once you have the perfect avatar open (as you can see I choose Gemma Arterton, her position and blury background are ideal for the magic effect), drag the avatar on the gifs. don't touch or click anywhere else after, because you have to select all the pictures of the gif. So first, click on the first picture then press shift and click on the last pics. They should all be in blue, just like in the screencap below. If you didn't cut the gif to the size 200x320 before, then you have to do it now, but first find the pefect spot for the picture. You have to change the blend mode of your avatar (don't forget to select you avatar before changing the blend mode!). Here are your to choices : .1 Use the Lighten mode if your avatar is dark. Layers > lighten (éclaircir). .2 Use the screen mode if your avatar is light. Layers > screen (superposition). But with screen mode, it'll make the picture brighter and you will lose some details. The best thing is to create a curve, dark enough to reveal again the details. Bottom right, click on the round half white, half black button (it's called « create a filling layer », something like that) > curves. You're almost done ! Now you have to save it. Go to files > Save for web. (Alt + Maj + Ctrl +S) Now don't go too fast ! You might miss something. Once you clicked, a widow is open. Make sure that the quality is on bicubic and that the option for the loop is on always. Really don't forget this two because you're avatar will only move once and then stay still. And voilà ! You have now an awesome avatar ready to be used ! Again if you have question feel free to ask, I might do a FAQ if needed. Have fun with this tutorial, hope it'll help you !