Aurora Borealis techniques???-need ASAP!!!

MT
Posted By
marcus_talbot
Feb 17, 2004
Views
411
Replies
8
Status
Closed
I’m looking for any techniques for creating an Aurora effect. I’ve been trying by creating a colored ribbon with the Brush tool and then motion blurring, adding noise, gaussian blurring and adding a gradient overlay but I just can’t seem to get a photorealistic effect. This is for a movie poster and needs to look as realistic as possible, but my deadline precludes me from spending a lot of time airbrushing and using the dodge/burn tools to achieve the desired result. I’m hoping there is an easy way to automate this, perhaps an action? I would appreciate any advice and need it ASAP as my deadline is Friday afternoon. Thanks!

-marcus

PS: I have CS but am still more comfortable using PS7.

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BG
barry_gray
Feb 18, 2004
Could you post a pic of what you have to start with- is it a photo of the night sky or? Way too many options so far , narrow it down a bit.
NB
Norbert_Bissinger
Feb 18, 2004
Here is a link to show you what he is looking for.

<http://www.moberleysite.com/tasc/aurora.htm>
AP
Alpha_Papa
Feb 18, 2004
It could be more complex or less though but I suppose we’ll see.

One .02: On your rainbow-type linear gradient selection, try an artisitic effect plus wind and or motion. Then use ripple, liquify or the transform tools to bend. A little gaussian. Use a soft mask to taper the bottom. Then use the saturation tools to finesse lighting. Maybe a subtle outer glow on the lower rim. You should be able to get a nice 3D effect this way. Don’t forget perspective to draw the beams downwards if this is your wish. The residual effect should come from the impact the aurora will have on your background – will it taper to black or down-light/back-light an image? In my mind’s eyes I’m picturing a waved aurora emanating from the top of the poster over a void.

Adam.
BG
barry_gray
Feb 18, 2004
The Aurora part is relatively simple, it’s the blending with the back ground that can become problematic, thus the request for said BG.
O
Ol__Whozit
Feb 18, 2004
The blending won’t be that problematic. Between blending modes, multiple layers and opacity, the only concern for blending with the background is color selection.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add adjustment masks and layers…
AP
Alpha_Papa
Feb 18, 2004
A beautiful effect there Ol’W. The use of rectangles to create the stagger is very imaginative.
MT
marcus_talbot
Feb 18, 2004
Thanks Ol Whozit!!!-that’s just what I’m looking for!

-Marcus

PS: Thanks everybody-once again you’ve saved me!
O
Ol__Whozit
Feb 18, 2004
Glad to help, Marcus!
Thank you for posting your question in a very clear manner, describing what you’d already tried.

barry gray, although "visual aids" always help, many times concepts are delivered and executed purely on the description provided. Effective problem solving is more cognitive than visually oriented. You need to be able to visualize what the client wants. I’ve always felt that is one reason Adobe doesn’t provide an image uploaded on these Forums. If you do graphics on anything beyond a "hobby" level, you deal more with concepts to achieve an effect, rather than a "here’s a picture of what I want to do, how do I do it?" basis. Understand, you’re not alone. Often, when someone poses a problem, someone else pipes up with "Can you post an image of what you want?", but most times the solution needs no visual example when the concept is presented in clear terms. That is why you don’t see the "provide us with a picture" reply around here too often. By the way, the Aurora Borealis is usually found in the night sky, as you can’t really see it in the daytime, or when there is a cloud cover…

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