OPEN CLAM SHELL
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Software: Ulead PhotoImpact 8
Author: Claudia Conover A.K.A. Dia
Homepage: Dia's Dimensions
Terms Of Use: Please Read
Title: Open Clam Shell
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Featured Tools:
Path Tool - Path Edit
Retouch Tools - Transform ToolsAdditional Files: None
Description: Create a neat Clam Shell.
Feel free to leave the 'Orange section' out if you wish to fill it with something else other than a clam, LOL!
Bottom Shell
Open a New White Image, 500x500px set up like this:
With the Path tool, Oval, 2D color #897C60, draw a Horizontal Oval 265x85px long. Click on the Path Edit tool and edit your oval so it looks similar to this shape.
Create another Oval slightly above your first 330x75px like so. RClick Align, Center Horizontally each shape separately.
Create another oval 300x72px. Change color to white. Rclick and align this piece in the center of the second oval like so so they all look like this.
Create another oval 265x57 with color #F1C88F. Line it up to the center and move it up like so.
Select all your parts and move them down near the bottom of your image so you have room for the top of your shell.
Top Shell
Choose the circle shape and create one 255x255px, color #897C60, and center like so.
Create another circle 180x180, white and place like this. You now have all your parts to your shell.
Color Bottom Shell
Rclick, Select all, parts of your shell and click on the eye on one of the objects to make them all disappear.
Deselect All by clicking on your image or hit your Enter key.
Click on the bottom object's eye to bring into view.
Rclick on this object and Convert Object Type, From Text/Path to Image.
Click on the 'Eye' on the next layer up so you know how far up you have to darken, but don't select it.
Select your Retouch, Burn Tool set like this, and darken the bottom of the shell like so. You may use your judgment and/or color the whole bottom dark.
With the Transform tool "Unlocked" stretch the this shape out to 320x87px and Center Horizontally.
Bottom Shell Oval
Select the largest oval or your next layer up in the Layer Manager. Click on the Path Tool, Path Edit icon so you can edit this shape.
Move your top node left and add another node to the right by clicking on the + sign in Edit mode.
Click back on the first square after adding some nodes around the shape like so.
Go around and touch the nodes moving some of them just a bit off so that the oval has a bit more natural shape to it like this.
(Note: The Path Edit in Version 8.5 (XL) makes the edited layer go to the top of the Layer Manager. Click on the object and drag it back down to above the bottom layer by using the Drag and Drop method.)
When you are happy with your shape Convert Object Type, and make the next layer up (white oval) visible as your guide to how much needs coloring/shading.
Click on your Retouch, Dodge tool set up like this and make some light lines in your oval for highlights. You will have most work done in size 1 or 2px.
Click on your Paint Brush, 5-0-25, color #675E4F and shade around these lighter areas like so. Vary the brush size from 1-8 to achieve various widths of shading.
Now change to color #160806 and add some darker shading. Do the same as above so it looks something like this.
Click on the Retouch, Blur tool set like this and smooth the lines just a bit.
Don't forget to save as a ufo after every step!
White Oval
Click on the White object to make it active. Click on the Path Tool Path Edit mode and move the nodes similar to this shape.
When you are happy with your shape, Rclick, Convert Object Type, and click on the eye of the layer above to show your white dimensions you have to shade.
Click on the Paint Tool, Airbrush, color #D0D0D0 these settings.
Shade the white area similar to this.Change to color #B4B4B4 and shade like this.
Orange Object (actual clam)
Click on the Orange object. Click on the Path Tool, Edit mode. Click on the + sign and add the nodes like I have them here as close as possible. Click back on the first square to edit these nodes.
Now try to match what I have here. If you can't don't worry about it as all muscles are not alike.
You should have something close to this when you are done.
Click on the Retouch Burn tool, Round shape set up like this and burn around the edges with the round shape in steps light to very dark on the very edge.
With the Burn slant & horizontal shapes make some characteristic markings like these.
Click on the Line & Arrow Tool, 2D, 1px, color #410000, Spline , and Draw a Line similar to this shape.
Click on this line object in the Layer Manager and drag/drop it to above the orange object or layer. Double click on the layer to bring up the Object Properties box and change the Transparency setting to 60%.
Draw another line like so, change the properties again and move it down in the Layer Manager also.
Click back on the Orange Object and the Paint Tool. Set the paint tool up with these settings and add some highlights like this.
Click on the Burn tool and shade along side of these highlights like this.
Rclick, Add Shadow, these settings.
Top Dark Circle
Click on the eye to the Large Dark Circle to view. Click on the Path Tool, Edit mode. Edit the shape bringing the top down, the sides in, and the bottom up just a little.
Now make it sort of apple shape like this.
Add some Nodes so you can make the shape odd and not so smooth like this.
When you are happy with the shape, click on the Resize tool (unlocked) and make the final dimensions 272x232px. RClick Arrange, Send to Back.
Click on the White Circle (top object). Click on the Resize tool, Perspective and stretch the top out to the left or right till it's 254x180px. Be careful you don't move the sides, just the top.
Click back on the Large Dark Circle leaving the white circle viewable. RClick and Convert Object Type. Click on the Paint tool set up like this
Paint various transparencies, (0-60) sizes, and shapes of brushes to highlight parts of the dark oval shell.
With the Burn tool, 20/50/100, burn around these white area to darken the shell. Vary the level from 50 to 100 to achieve lighter and darker areas around the shell. Leave some small areas untouched around the white areas.
With the Paint brush, size 1-6, color #8C8971, paint some streaks leading off the white areas like this
With the Blur tool set on level 2 click over the highlighted area to blend them in a bit like this.
White Circle
Feel free to leave the 'blue gradient' part out if you like!
Select the White Circle, Path tool, Edit Mode and edit the circle's shape like so. Add some nodes to help you shape it.
When you like your shape click on the Transform Tool, Perspective and bring the bottom in a little ways.
Click on the Resize tool and stretch the circle out sideways a bit to make it 245x185px.
With the Fill tool (paint bucket) click on the Gradient tab and choose the 2 color mode. Your first blue color is blue #DDF4FF and your second is blue #BBE9FF. In the bottom right the transparency is 70%.
With the Burn tool 20/50-75/100, shade some of the outside edge darker with the edge of the brush. Shade the center so it looks like it's sunken in a bit like so.
Click on the Blur tool and smooth this out so it looks more natural.
Click on the Paint tool, Airbrush, 30/0/25, color #BBE9FF, straight line and make a star in the center of the shell. Click in the center and then out toward the edges.
Click on the Burn tool and go in between the star points and burn the center in a V shape like so. Blur to smooth out the strokes. Save!
Guess what? You are finished creating your Clam Shell!
To Make it a Tube
Make sure everything is the way you want it to be and R-click, Select all, Merge as Single Object.
Click on the Eye at the top of the Layer Manager to hide the background, and Save it as a .psd (PhotoShop file) This is the same type of file as a .tub/psp as it keeps the transparent background. :)
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.
Feel free to contact me if you get stuck and need help!
Now that you have finished this tutorial, feel free to R-click save my award and display it on your webpage. This award is offered on the honor system.
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