>> Lightning Sig Animation

[TimGC]

This tut is how to make an animation sig.

Step 1: Open the signature you want to add animation to, in this case it is this for me:
(make sure you my multi colouring tut to get the effects i have in this sig)



Step 2: Create a new document, the size of the lightning you want, in my case 400 width by 100 and make a black to white gradient at the angle that you want the lightning to go at (usualy from bottom to top or top to bottom).



Step 3: Duplicate the layer so that you have 4 layers all with the same angle on them; one for each finger (I usually leave out the thumb).

Step 4: On each layer, do the following steps:

a. Filter/Effect > Render > Difference clouds.



b. Press Crtl+I to invert the image (each layer)



c. Ctrl+L to open up the levels, change the middle level to 0.1(remember this is for each layer)



Step 4:Change each of the layers to 'Lighten'/'Screen' depending on how you want it to look.

Step 5: merge all the layers of the lightning together (cntrl+E)

Step 6: hold v and transfer the lightning onto the signature, but be sure it is behind the multi colors layer and in front of the background, this means it is blended in.

Step 6: use the lasso tool to cut around where you want the lightning to go.

Step 7: circle where you want the lightning to blend in with the rest of the image, right click and feather, settings 12, ok.



Now you can leave it there, or if you wanted to add animation, hit (cntrl **** and m), this jumps to image ready, make sure on the layers palette you have the lightning selected.

Step 8: make a new layer in image ready, see below pic, and repeat this for 3-4 times.



now on each layer go to opacity and enter in values like 23, 47, 90, 48, 30, 100, but dont neccessarily do it in each new frame as it can be too flashy and quick. (random amounts for each layer, but make sure you start/end with 100%)

that is it, done, file, save optimized as .gif and save your .psd and you are done.

Result:



PM me or write any queries/problems here, ta.
TimGC

[Deagle]

Thanks, good tut.

[Dutchdraco]

What's the picture of step 8 ? ... I need it...

[TimGC]

i am not sure, i think image shack is either updating server or is having some down time. I will try and find the picture when i get home next week at some point.

[Dutchdraco]

Okay, thanks.

[TimGC]

they seem to be working fine now. Enjoy the tutorial.

[Dutchdraco]

Lol... If I press Fast Reply I get Download Volt...

Is this good ?... The lightning isn't that good, I can't get it right.. But I'm happy about the background.

[Deagle]

Bg is quite leet Lightning, well, as you said, not really good.

[TimGC]

background is good yeah! Might want to try and change the timing on the animation though but is a very good first attempt!

[Dutchdraco]

It's my 3rd/4th I made a couple on OC, but sucked in the lightning then too... But I like the background too.