For a Beginner
Monday, May 5, 2008 by Boom13 | Discussion: Wallpapers
I typically use Photoshop CS3 for my creations, and occasionally Apophysis. Believe me I'm still learning but I have a decent handle on it and I think I have a good eye for things. I've been looking over getting 3ds Max to poke around on.
It's the small things that maybe you or a friend has learned over time that I'm interested in. How to create Hi-Res pictures, what settings do you start with and use for rendering, what software should I render in and what's the best way to "adjust" my walls for multiple resolutions.
I have 4 walls that I've done in the past 2 days and I'm eager to do more with more techniques. Anything that you have is useful.
My Walls - http://boom13.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx
Thanks
Boom
Reply #2 Monday, May 5, 2008 11:51 PM
It's always great to start something new....![]()
I'm 'famous' for calling things as I see them...and can critique those first 4....[it may hurt a bit].
Eclipse13 uses a lens-flare ....one of the more 'over-used' filters/effects available....and one to be used with sober reticence.
Source13 is symmetrical which tends to tire more quickly than asymmetry, and consequently has a light-source that doesn't follow the 'Windows standard' [top left] and thus can confuse when skins/icons are added.
Warp13 has the 'focus' or subject of the wall in the specific area where most people will have there start menu popping up...as well as icons obscuring...so would possible benefit from being mirrored.
Hydro13 is what was coined way back in the dawn of time as 'a blue swirlie'....quite a common image-creation. It's likely that if you were to Google 'blue swirlie' you'd find something similar. The flared white spots don't do much other than to maybe confuse whatever perspective/depth is being portrayed.
They are a start, in the grand scheme of things, and any start is actually a good start. First and foremost you have to decide whether you wish to create 'art' specifically as art...or art specifically as 'wallpapers'. Not all art can be/is intended to be wallpapers, but, in the true definition of 'art' all wallpapers can be art.
We [Wincustomize.com] host a Wallpaper Gallery...so needless to say we are only interested in the sub-set of 'art' that is wallpapers.
Wallpapers need to be [apart from appealing]....suitable resolution for a desktop...and reasonably suited to having icons, etc on them...and not be TOO wildly distracting. Psychedelia is fine....but rarely popular in a wall....![]()
Main thing is to have fun experimenting...and practising...![]()
Reply #4 Tuesday, May 6, 2008 12:15 AM
Most of what I'm doing, at the moment, is fiddling around with little rhyme or reason, and it shows. I'm glad someone stepped up with some experience and critiqued my photos. It's a bit misleading to hear your wife say "that's nice dear", over and over with little interest.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!







Reply #1 Monday, May 5, 2008 11:32 PM