AudioHive Halftoning - for Jumpy
Ok, This is for you Jumpy..
How I did the halftones on AudioHive.
Firstly, I had done a test run, with Ghosts of War, and bought the T so I could see exactly how it printed, So with that in mind I was confident to move ahead.. anyways.. here`s how I did it.
Oh yeah, secondly, I`m still learning this, so there`s probably a tonne of this I could have done better, feel free to help me out too ok?
Ok, I did the linework of the design first. So i`ve got the linework all seperated on a layer in photoshop.
Then I created another layer for the tones, basically, I made crude shapes roughly where I thought the tones should be, got a big old brush, and roughed in some tonal shapes..
Then i created another new file, specifically for the halftoning.. I copied my rough tonal shapes into this new file.
Then, I went down the bitmap route. Changing the file from RBG, to grayscale, then changed the mode to Bitmap, and selected the halftone screen option. I played with the numeric values until I was happy with the overall look. Too small and the dots loose shape, too big and it was too heavy, Just play with it, it`s fun anyways.
So now I`m pretty happy with the halftone. I change the file back from grayscale to RBG. Select the colour range of the halftone dots, then create another new layer over that, and fill it with the colour I want from the original design.. That`s the halftones done.
Then, I drag that layer back into the original file. and place it roughtly where the rough shapes i created before where. Then get rig of that rough shape layer.
Then it`s just a matter of cutting back that halftone layer where it`s not needed. I also give the halftone layer a 0.3 gaussian blur, just to take the edges off. Trust me, they print extremely crisp.
and that`s about it! Too easy eh? Now go forth and halftone soldiers! .. Oh yeah, you can thanks Sjem for putting me onto all this too..
Also, these little sample pics where created just for this walkthrough, these aren`t from my print file at all..
Did that help anyone?
Simon Sherry
Noice tute there mate – seems a lot less painful than my own attempts.
Scott Robinson replied
I`m still learning, But this gets the job done. There`s probably some halftone ninja out there cringing…
thickblackoutline
yes YES! superb stuff! just what the doctor ordered!
Scott Robinson replied
Medicinal halftones coming up! Have fun mate, let me know how it goes for you
Natalie Perkins
Awesome tutorial :D
Love your line work, I am such a sucker for lines. (obviously!)
Scott Robinson replied
Me too! Hope someone finds it helpful, we`ve gotta look after each other here right?
sjem ©
Ahhh … good show Scott.
The trick is getting those values to work for you in the settings, lots of trial and error involved there.
Scott Robinson replied
You started this!
But yeah, it`s the values, and taking time to play with the values that`ll really make the difference.
Scott Robinson
Excellent!
The dots here are a little offshape, because I rushed through it, I would have liked to play with the size some more.. too small, they loose shape, too big= too heavy
But be assured, they print crisp, i did test this process, and I`m confident..
ElRobbo
You really are a nice guy, Scott!
Your artwork is superb for a “beginner”, mate!
;)
Scott Robinson replied
Sharing is caring right? hahaha.. I like to share the fun!
jumpy
LOL my own personal tutorial :P thanks for the help, that is awesome… ive tried a variety of halftone techniques in illustrator (sometimes using photoshop with illy) ill let u know how i get on with this
Scott Robinson replied
Oh yeah, I forgot that mention that mate. Lines all done in illustrator, then halftones in Photoshop..
Let me know how you get on?
jumpy
yes ive come to that point where the plugins in illy just dont seem to cut it for halftones, maybe CS4 will be different, im still in CS2. what version of PS you driving?
Scott Robinson
Um.. CS3? you should send me an email mate, I could have a little something for you.
jumpy
emailed :D
Natalie Tyler
Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing!
Scott Robinson replied
See, i found all this out through someone sharing, so I share in return..
I just hope it`s helping someone out there.
Chris Wahl
Hey Scott
Hey Scott!
Just a tip on avoiding the jagged dots-
Try increasing the output resolution of the halftone (for example from 300dpi to 600dpi). Then once halftoned, convert to grayscale and then resize it back to the original dpi. This produces less jagged dots and also does away with the gaussian blur step as well, as sizing down slightly blurs the edges.
Great stuff btw.
Scott Robinson replied
Hey that`s a great idea Chris! Cheers mate, and I say that from everyone..
See, I knew I`d be learning here along with everyone else..
Chris Wahl
oops, said hey scott twice.
Nick Ford
YES! This is awesome … been meaning to ask about this!!!! You read my mind. Thanks dude.
Scott Robinson replied
My pleasure, I was curious about this type of stuff myself, It`s a bit of a juggling act, but just play with it, have fun..
Nick Ford
Yes knowing how to do this is one thing ….. knowing when and where is another.
Scott Robinson replied
Now that, you can`t explain in words or pictures..
They say less is more,.... more or less?
Matt Simner
Cool bananas! – bit partial to halftone myself, so will definitely store this one away
Scott Robinson replied
Enjoy, good sir..
zomboy
great little tutorial Scott – could follow it all the way through in my mind as I read through it – very well commuicated!
Scott Robinson replied
Cheers mate, I just typed furiously, and hoped for the best!
Tom Godfrey
Thanks Mr Generous. I’ve never tried halftone – something else to experiment with :) thanks for sharing Scott.
Scott Robinson replied
Great! I`m sure you`ll do something special with them
Mel Brackstone
Wow, I always take the cheats way and use the rasterbator….
I’ll have a go at this one, thanks Scott!
Scott Robinson replied
I`d never heard of rasterbator,. sounds interesting…
jfpictures
nice tute! Just voted for it too!
Scott Robinson replied
Thanks, and thanks!
chelsgus
Hmmm… can I see a halftone challenge coming up in the A T-Shirt Revolution Group ...! ?
Your results with this technique rock! Thanks for being a kind sharer.
I’ve also seen it work pretty darn well layered over some sections of photo images. So many things to play with and try out…
Scott Robinson replied
Playing is where the fun is… go have some!
rubyred
Well done for sharing Scott. I use a very similar technique. There’s a quick little video here that shows a couple of versions The second half of the video shows a way not using bitmap, it sometimes gives sharper dots, worth taking a look.
Scott Robinson replied
ohhh learning! Thanks mate.. I knew this would work out well for me..
Diesel Laws
Nice work mate, thanks for the tips, will definitely be using this in future. Thank you.
Scott Robinson replied
Cool, I`ll keep an eye out for it. Glad you enjoyed it.
Alice in Under...
You know what? I’ve been trying to work out how to get this effect right for yonks, and I think I’ve finally got it now!
Thanks Scott – you’re now officially the patron saint of Photoshop! I declare this day St Scott’s day and henceforth, ‘pon this day all digital artists and their children shall go out into the streets to exchange gifts of biscuits baked in the shape of our saviour’s face!
I have spoken!
Scott Robinson
Hahahaha! Have you seen this face? hahahaha.. Biscuits would be interesting to say the least…
I have spoken too, I`m happy you`re happy.. It`s a very functional technique..
zomboy
halftone comp is a great idea!!
Pip Gerard
how generous you are Scott!! It helped me no end !!! thank you. you’re a legend!!! :)
fixtape
Awesome! thanks! I really like this method.
This is sort of related, there’s a small program that makes giant posters out of any image by converting it to halftones. I think it’s really cool.
MuscularTeeth
great advice to do something so awesome.
syd baker
Aha, it’s always a great day to learn a new computer trick!
o0OdemocrazyO0o
Very cool tutorial!
you can do similar stuff in illustrator (if you need it to be vector) but it doesn’t have the control that photoshop does…
thanks Mr Robinson…
Scott Robinson replied
Thanks Demo.. Although It`s probably not the best, it does get the job done..
I`ve played a little with the Illustrator method, but it doesn`t seem to be able to have the full range of control I can get in Photoshop..
I could be doing it all wrong though for all i know..
o0OdemocrazyO0o
anything you do in illustrator is wrong… trust me ;D (thats the fun and the anguish of it!)