NBK Design - Advanced Challenge - October 1-31 **Closed**

Hi everyone. It is Marilyn here, and I'm excited to be hosting my first challenge for NBK Design. While I have used the Transform/Perspective tool in Photoshop many times, I found this simple youtube video about using the Vanishing Point. As it turns out, it is quite a simple but effective technique.

For this challenge:

• Select a photo that has vanishing lines in it. i.e. railroad tracks, a road or a building
• Create a layout using this photo.
• Add a graphic to your original photo. If available, try using Photoshop's Vanishing Point filter to place your added graphic.
• Blend that graphic into your photo, using whatever blend mode or technique you would like.

Here is a short youtube video for explaining Vanishing Point in Photoshop:

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I don't have Photoshop Elements, but Vanishing Point may not be an option for you. For your added graphic, try using the Free Transform as an option. Here is an excerpt from: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/transforming.html

Freely transform an item in Photoshop Elements:
The Free Transform command lets you apply transformations (rotating, scaling, skewing, distorting, and perspective) in one step. Instead of choosing different commands, you simply hold down a key on your keyboard to switch between transformation types.

1. In the Edit workspace, select the item you want to transform.
2. Choose Image > Transform > Free Transform. If you are transforming a shape, choose Image > Transform Shape > Free Transform Shape.
   Note:
   
   If you select a photo that is a Background layer (such as a photo imported from a camera or scanner), you are given the option of turning it into a regular layer so that you can transform it.
   (Optional) To change the point around which the item rotates, click a square on the reference point locator in the options bar.
3. Do one or more of the following to transform the object:
   • To scale, drag any handle of the bounding box. To scale the width and height proportionally, either press Shift as you drag a corner handle, or select Constrain Proportions in the options bar, and then drag a corner handle.
   • To rotate, move the pointer outside of the bounding box and drag. When positioned outside the bounding box, the pointer becomes a curved, two-sided arrow . Press Shift and drag to constrain the rotation to 15° increments.
   • To distort, press Ctrl (Command in Mac OS), and drag any handle. When positioned over a handle, the pointer becomes a gray arrowhead .
   • To skew, press Ctrl+Shift (Command+Shift in Mac OS) and drag a handle in the middle of any side of the bounding box. When positioned over a side handle, the pointer becomes a gray arrowhead with a small double arrow .
   • To apply perspective, press Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Command+Option+Shift), and drag a corner handle. When positioned over a corner handle, the pointer becomes a gray arrowhead .
4. Do one of the following:
   • To commit the transformation, double-click inside the bounding box, and then click the Commit button , or press Enter.
   • To cancel the transformation, click the Cancel button , or press Esc.

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Here is a video I found for Affinity:


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And here is my example:



I chose this paper from NBK Design's Focus Collection for my vanishing point pattern:


This challenge runs from October 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020
TWO lucky scrappers will be randomly chosen to win a $5 coupon to the NBK Design store.
You must use 100% NBK Design Products.
Post your layout in the NBK Design Gallery and in this forum, and link your layout to the gallery.

If you have questions, please feel free to tag me, @mcurtt. Have fun! I can't wait to see your creations.

 

Esther, I can't wait to see what you create.

 

I hope you enjoy the process. Looking forward to seeing your layout.

 

The main objective here was to work with vanishing points and you did awesome! I can understand your frustration. I work with CS5, so it isn't all bells & whistles. I had to rewatch the video several times. My big mistake was not invoking the filter on a blank layer above my photo. And once I got the perspective plane selected, it didn't always snap into place for me. I had to drag it down into position (a number of times before I got it right) and then voila! Sorry I can't be of more help, because seriously, I have no idea why it worked sometimes and not other times. I just blame it on my version of Photoshop.

 

Did you read my comments to Electra above? I had issues as well, but in the end, when it worked, it was quite fun. Remember to try using the vanishing point on a BLANK layer above your photo. Keep your photo in a separate file and try the technique, don't try it with your photo in a layout. And then when you have added the graphic, remember to copy/paste. Try rewatching the video. You may be able to find other youtube videos with the technique. I tried to pick one that appeared to be the simplest version. And if all else fails, you can simply transform your graphic using perspective. I will accept that.

I just duplicated a vanishing point now, so I wrote up my simple steps:

Work from the bottom up in these directions:
3. Top layer: blank layer (listed as Layer 1 below) where you will be using your vanishing point. When you are on this layer, invoke your vanishing point filter. Click to add the points where you want your perspective to be. Since your graphic is hidden (but copied) you will see your original photo that is in the bottom layer. After you have added your points, click CTRL V to paste your graphic into the vanishing point. While my graphic pasted in, I had to drag it into the vanishing point selected area (several times until it worked). When I hit the right area, it automatically snapped into the vanishing point area.
2. Middle layer: your graphic (CTRL click to select the entire layer, then CTRL C to copy, then hide this layer)
1. Bottom layer: your photo

Here's a couple of screen shots of something I just did, not my final layout:
Note the layers. The top layer (layer 1 listed below) was originally blank, applied the vanishing point filter here when it was active, selected my points, then copied my graphic. You can see the graphic copied into it here, following my sloppy vanishing points.


Here is what I ended up with, using EXCLUSION on the vanishing point layer that had the graphic copied into it.


I did find another article, but it is written out, no video. Perhaps that will help? It is quite lengthy, but scroll down to the section entitled: Paste an item into Vanishing Point
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/vanishing-point.html#:~:text=Choose Filter > Vanishing Point.,guide when creating the plane.
Good luck!

 

@bjc I had the same problem. Try dragging the graphic to the vanishing point area (that is highlighted in blue). I had to drag, drag, and drag again until all of a sudden it snapped into place and took on the perspective qualities. I have no idea what I did to get it to work, but I did try different locations to drag it to. I assumed mine didn't work because of me using CS5. I went searching the web for vanishing point hints, and one of them referenced "jostling" the graphic until it snapped. That's a good description.

And your photo is perfect, just a bit of masking where your subjects are.

 

I don't have great news for you. I had the same issue. I ended up deleting my old file, opened up a new photoshop file with my photo. I believe that worked. Or maybe if you deleted the vanishing point "blank" layer it would allow you to create a new one. But I think I tried that too, had to resort to a new Photoshop file entirely.