Creating 3D images using Adobe Photoshop

by NeoPolar 4:27 PM 0 comments

          Today, we were taught how to create 3D images in Adobe photoshop. 3D or three-dimensional images provide the perception of depth. It creates an illusion that makes viewers think that the image or subject is real and touchable. There were 2 methods that we were taught on creating 3D images.

          I'll be enumerating the steps as I understood from the lesson. For both methods, you'll need to open an existing file or photo, whatever suits your interest, but it would be best to use one that has a distinct subject against a background.

     Method 1 (and probably the easiest one too)

1. Go to the "channels" tab. This can be found next to the "layers" tab.
2. Click the "red" channel. This will allow you to move the ONLY the red channel and let the other channels remain untouched. Notice that the photo will turn black and white.
3. Use the arrow keys (up, down, left and right) to move the red channel around. It is up to you how big you want the difference to be (ex: left=5 presses, down=7 presses).
4. Once you're satisfied with the difference made, click on the "RGB" channel. This will restore all the colors of the photo.
5. Use the quick selection tool. Select the subject that you wish to appear three dimensional.
6. While the subject is selected, use the history brush tool to erase the changes (alteration of channels) made in the background. This will make the 3D effect of the subject stand out.
7. Disselect the subject and there you have it, your own made 3D image!

A 3D photo i made using this method. Dogs dogs dogs dogs~

     

     Method 2

     This method is a little harder than the first and requires more patience (but I find this method a lot more fun to use).

1. After you've chosen a photo, save it as a psd file. This is very important as it will be needed to allow displacement.
2. You need to create a depth map. Open the psd file of the photo and go to image>adjustments>desaturate.
3. Next, go to image>adjusments again and choose invert. The photo will now look like a "negative".
4. Fill the subject/s you wish to be three dimensional with various shades from white to black. For example, there are 3 people in the photo, arranged from nearest to farthest. The nearest should be filled with white, the middle a light gray tone and the last person a darker gray tone. (White will make the object appear nearer)
5. Optional: Fill the background of the depth map with black.
6. Save the depth map as another psd file.
7. Open the psd file of the original untouched photo.
8. Go to the "channels" tab located beside the "layers" tab and click on the red channel.
9. Go to filter>distort>displace. For the horizontal scale, use a negative integer (-2, -3, -4, whatever you think is suitable, you can always alter this if you are not satisfied) and 0 for the vertical scale. Set the displacement map to "stretch-to-fit" and set the undefined areas to "wrap around". Choose the depth map made earlier for the displacement map.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9, but this time, click on the green channel and use a positive integer for the horizontal scale.
11. Click on the "RGB" channel to restore all the colors of the photo.
12. You can now save the photo as a jpg/ jpeg file.
13. Enjoy and marvel at your awesome 3D image!  

Here are two 3D photos I made featuring one of my favorite animes using the 2nd method :)