Making brushes
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:44 pm
Hi, i was asked for a tutorial on how to make Photoshop brushes....this is the method i use, if there's another one out there then please post a tutorial for it as i'd like to learn.
This tutorial is written for the beginner in mind.
Brushes.
1. The Image
First find an image. This is the image you want to use as a brush...please bear in mind that, at least with this tutorial color will not be apparent in the final brush...they come out black and white, and you later add hue/saturation (crtl+u) to them if you want color.
So you have an image. It is a good idea to start off simple...if the actual image you want is cluttered by other things then your wrok may not have clean lines....there is also a lot of erasing work so it is a good idea to limit the amount you have to work on an image as much as possible.....the more details around the image you have to erase, the more it can leave it sometimes looking blocky. You will see why soon.
2. Layers
I chose an image of keys for my brush. Select the entire image (crt+a), create a new layer(shift+ctrl+n), and paste onto that layer (crtl+v)...on your previous layer click the eye so that is hidden.
[url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keytut1.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keytut1.jpg[/url]
3. Selection
The picture i am using has two keys on it. I feel if i were to make a brush that had two keys on it , i wouldnt want to use it. Usually when using a brush you are selecting one image to use in your art, not several clumped together.......especially when it is an object like a key.
So, using the selection tool, select the portion of the image you want (which key), copy it while still selected (crtl+c) and click:
FILE>NEW> there will be default page sizes already displayed >OK
the default size displayed should be the exact space needed to copy your image into...so dont worry about changing those settings.
When the new page comes up, simply have it selected and paste (ctrl+v)...your image will appear in the new canvas. You can now close or minimize your old window should you wish.
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut2.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut2.jpg[/url]
You will now need to repeat step 2:Layers....so that you have a duplicate image on another layer with the background layer deselected.
4. Erasing
Select the Erase tool. I usually have this set to block, but the setting of pencil or brush may be needed to erase finer details around the image.
For this erase work you may need a closer look at the image, use VIEW>ZOOM IN/ZOOM OUT (ctrl + + / ctrl + -) .
Should you have a large area that needs erasing, and appears to be one color you can use the Magic Wand Tool to select these areas, and once satisfied it has not selected a portion of your image you want to keep, simply hit delete, and that entire area will be erased.
Either way be careful that you erase everything but the image....a speck of color you may not be able to see that floats around the image will show up on your brush and make it "gritty" (those specks around your favourite brush for example)
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut3.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut3.jpg[/url]
5. Desaturate
go to IMAGE>ADJUSTMENTS>DESATURATE (shift+ctrl+u)
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut4.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut4.jpg[/url]
This will darken the image, so that the textures show through.
6. Clean Brush Palette
You may notice several brushes in your palette. Select the brush tool (you may have to right click where this icon is show to select it).
You will need to go through and delete your brushes. This can be very time consuming. Whilst hovering over an image hold (alt) and scissors will appear, click the image and it will be cut.
These brushes need to be removed as, should you upload your brush set for the use of others, copyright is an issue.....if your brush set includes others work you could be in for some nasty feedback. If this brush is for personal use you can skip ahead.
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut5.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut5.jpg[/url]
7. Define Brush Preset
Now that your palette is clean, you want to add the brush you just created to the palette - it should be the only one there as you deleted the rest.
Go to EDIT>DEFINE BRUSH PRESET
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut6.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut6.jpg[/url]
This should appear, click OK..dont worry about naming it, but you can if you wish.
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut7.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut7.jpg[/url]
If you select the brush tool and hit the drop down box you should now see your brush in the palette
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut8.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut8.jpg[/url]
If this is the only brush you wish to make, great. If you want to make more, simply repeat steps 1-7 and you will continue to add more brushes to your palette.
8. Saving the brush set
This will save every image in your brush palette as a brush SET. If you intend to share this and theres something in there you dont want others to see, now is a good time to delete it (alt+click = scissors)
When you go to save this brush set it will be saved as .abr
Go to (the drop down arrow on your brush palette) > (the arrow facing the right on your brush palette)>SAVE BRUSHES
choose a name and directory!!!!!
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut9.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut9.jpg[/url]
9. Sharing
Now you have a finished brush set! Well done.
The process of making them takes less time as you get used to the commands.
Should you wish to share this brush set, its is a good idea to
*zip it
*make a preview of it
*let people know its a .abr
Previews, at least those used to show brushes made by KillaNet are typically 400x400 and are just a simple example of what is in the brush set.
10. Credits
Many people, including myself typically include an image in the brush set....a sort of watermark. If people are wanting to credit you, it can be difficult and too time consuming to search through to find which site they downloaded it from and who made it. So my watermark includes my name, copyright, and KillaNets address. Its very simple and its up to you how you make yours.
Have fun and be sure to share your brushes!
Nem
[color=\"red\"][b]Used this tutorial? [url=\"http://www.killagraphix.com/index.php?showforum=32\"][u]Show us[/u][/url] your work or ask for assistance[/b][/color]
This tutorial is written for the beginner in mind.
Brushes.
1. The Image
First find an image. This is the image you want to use as a brush...please bear in mind that, at least with this tutorial color will not be apparent in the final brush...they come out black and white, and you later add hue/saturation (crtl+u) to them if you want color.
So you have an image. It is a good idea to start off simple...if the actual image you want is cluttered by other things then your wrok may not have clean lines....there is also a lot of erasing work so it is a good idea to limit the amount you have to work on an image as much as possible.....the more details around the image you have to erase, the more it can leave it sometimes looking blocky. You will see why soon.
2. Layers
I chose an image of keys for my brush. Select the entire image (crt+a), create a new layer(shift+ctrl+n), and paste onto that layer (crtl+v)...on your previous layer click the eye so that is hidden.
[url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keytut1.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keytut1.jpg[/url]
3. Selection
The picture i am using has two keys on it. I feel if i were to make a brush that had two keys on it , i wouldnt want to use it. Usually when using a brush you are selecting one image to use in your art, not several clumped together.......especially when it is an object like a key.
So, using the selection tool, select the portion of the image you want (which key), copy it while still selected (crtl+c) and click:
FILE>NEW> there will be default page sizes already displayed >OK
the default size displayed should be the exact space needed to copy your image into...so dont worry about changing those settings.
When the new page comes up, simply have it selected and paste (ctrl+v)...your image will appear in the new canvas. You can now close or minimize your old window should you wish.
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut2.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut2.jpg[/url]
You will now need to repeat step 2:Layers....so that you have a duplicate image on another layer with the background layer deselected.
4. Erasing
Select the Erase tool. I usually have this set to block, but the setting of pencil or brush may be needed to erase finer details around the image.
For this erase work you may need a closer look at the image, use VIEW>ZOOM IN/ZOOM OUT (ctrl + + / ctrl + -) .
Should you have a large area that needs erasing, and appears to be one color you can use the Magic Wand Tool to select these areas, and once satisfied it has not selected a portion of your image you want to keep, simply hit delete, and that entire area will be erased.
Either way be careful that you erase everything but the image....a speck of color you may not be able to see that floats around the image will show up on your brush and make it "gritty" (those specks around your favourite brush for example)
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut3.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut3.jpg[/url]
5. Desaturate
go to IMAGE>ADJUSTMENTS>DESATURATE (shift+ctrl+u)
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut4.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut4.jpg[/url]
This will darken the image, so that the textures show through.
6. Clean Brush Palette
You may notice several brushes in your palette. Select the brush tool (you may have to right click where this icon is show to select it).
You will need to go through and delete your brushes. This can be very time consuming. Whilst hovering over an image hold (alt) and scissors will appear, click the image and it will be cut.
These brushes need to be removed as, should you upload your brush set for the use of others, copyright is an issue.....if your brush set includes others work you could be in for some nasty feedback. If this brush is for personal use you can skip ahead.
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut5.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut5.jpg[/url]
7. Define Brush Preset
Now that your palette is clean, you want to add the brush you just created to the palette - it should be the only one there as you deleted the rest.
Go to EDIT>DEFINE BRUSH PRESET
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut6.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut6.jpg[/url]
This should appear, click OK..dont worry about naming it, but you can if you wish.
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut7.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut7.jpg[/url]
If you select the brush tool and hit the drop down box you should now see your brush in the palette
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut8.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut8.jpg[/url]
If this is the only brush you wish to make, great. If you want to make more, simply repeat steps 1-7 and you will continue to add more brushes to your palette.
8. Saving the brush set
This will save every image in your brush palette as a brush SET. If you intend to share this and theres something in there you dont want others to see, now is a good time to delete it (alt+click = scissors)
When you go to save this brush set it will be saved as .abr
Go to (the drop down arrow on your brush palette) > (the arrow facing the right on your brush palette)>SAVE BRUSHES
choose a name and directory!!!!!
<img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... ocking.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ack)\' /> [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut9.jpg\"]http://www.killanet.net/uploads/keystut9.jpg[/url]
9. Sharing
Now you have a finished brush set! Well done.
The process of making them takes less time as you get used to the commands.
Should you wish to share this brush set, its is a good idea to
*zip it
*make a preview of it
*let people know its a .abr
Previews, at least those used to show brushes made by KillaNet are typically 400x400 and are just a simple example of what is in the brush set.
10. Credits
Many people, including myself typically include an image in the brush set....a sort of watermark. If people are wanting to credit you, it can be difficult and too time consuming to search through to find which site they downloaded it from and who made it. So my watermark includes my name, copyright, and KillaNets address. Its very simple and its up to you how you make yours.
Have fun and be sure to share your brushes!
Nem
[color=\"red\"][b]Used this tutorial? [url=\"http://www.killagraphix.com/index.php?showforum=32\"][u]Show us[/u][/url] your work or ask for assistance[/b][/color]