Post 19 - Amaray/Label Review

The module had various requirements to be completed such as using certain tools.  Part A of the assignment was for the Amaray DVD/game wrap. The first stage was to create the canvas size and style suitably i create the canvas to the size W 27.3cm and H18.25cm. I used various layers and created layer masks to ensure non-destructive editing. I also used the Photoshop filters such as burn and dodge tool. I set up the guides to help with the construction of the case. I decided to go beyond the minimum requirements of the assignment and used other software such as nchsoftware. To create a better quality of the Amaray inlay i decided to also create a 3D inlay cover.Part two required for me to create a DVD label. The minimum tool requirements were the clipping mask tool, pen tool, brush tool and placing images. I created the main image using Adobe Photoshop and placed it within the illustrator work space. The pen tool was used to create shapes for the DVD label and the brush tool used to add camouflage effect to go with the action hooter theme of the game. I completed at minimum the required tools etc i also decided to go beyond the requirements by making another 3D inlay. Also i used software such as Adobe Fireworks to create the PlayStation logo and the finishing CD rims.


Next Time:

Overall i believe that the end products for this part f the assignment  are up to the standards of finish i expected. The general images look fairly professional and portray the theme of the game quite well. However i do believe that i could have sent more time in refining the images and experimenting with the various tools of Photoshop to change and add effects to the images. As an example i performed color editing work on the Label and Amaray inlay and also brushed, patched and smooth cut the pictures well however to ensure a greater finish and also  more realism so each character does not seem as they have been drawn from a separate background.

Post 18 - Amaray Filters

As i used various other software to edit the image and resolution i did not change the DPI levels of images within my PSD file. Similarly i created some effects in other software so i did not use the filters in Photoshop a numerous amount of time. However i did use the burn and the dodge tools. I used the dodge tool on the "Fight till the end" banner to improve the aesthetics and to add affect as previously the banner was very bland (Top Left). Also underneath the Zombie on the left hand side i used the burn tool to add a burnt effect to the "Hell's Highway" to go with the theme of Hell.

Post 17 - Finish 3D Label (Star)

I have used the pen tool to create an inner shape after creating the outer grey star shape. I decided to use the inner pen tools initially as i  decided it would be easy to create curves using the various anchor points. The central image was created with the pen tool and then given a yellow fill to add some brightness to the star. The outer star was created by using the inbuilt star tool and then given a purple fill. I sent the purple star image to the back using the pathfinder Minus tool to give a separate color edge effect. One star with an outline effect could have been used but i decided to add two stars as originally i was to add more than two stars. I selected these colors to contrast to the main image and give a bright contrast and also i selected colors different from the text so it was not covered up. The shade of colors is something that also needed to be considered as a similar shade would ruin the text 3D effect.

The next tool used was the paintbrush tool i filled the central yellow star with various paint brush colors. The colors i chose were combat colors to give the militarily effect. When filling the shapes i used the brush effect so the sharp colors would not contrast the combat inner paintbrushes.I used the clipping mask tool for these shapes to help combine both of these shapes by using the group selection tools. The clipping mask was beneficial as it created various different layers and preserved the images in different layers before combining them in one top layer. I also used the transparency effect so the star image is not overpowering in comparison to the remaining image. The central camouflage colors are on a separate layer and were also lowered in opacity to ensure the image is not overpowering and also allows the background  to be viewed.

Post 16 - Reasons why (stretch/background)

The reason why the character in the background has a slight stretch is to present the character as the most dominant and to create a hierarchical effect. For example the FIFA 14 cover presents the Messi larger than the other players to present him as the main and superior image/player. However i scaled the image during construction to ensure the best quality image and also i saved it as a TIFF image to maintain the image resolution.

On the Amaray front cover the character on the top right i have maintained part of the characters background instead of cutting it out. The reason why i have done this is to present the image as its own rather instead of it being part of the main image background. I copied this effect directly from the Splinter Cell Conviction cover where the background is also maintained instead of just outlining the characters. I have cropped to include the image below.

Post 15 - Vector Mask

Using a vector mask can be used to give a more refined image than a layer mask. Pen, Shape and/or path selection tool can be used for this mask. It is slightly more extensive work despite the better quality it can give.

Initially i  decided and began using this technique however the work was not as a efficient as working with layers masks and therefore i switched to using layer masks.

Also after performing some research from :

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/12/17/unveiling-photoshop-masks/

Vector masks cannot vary pixel opacities, they have to be at 0 or 100. Therefore masking requires hybrid implementation.

In order to change layer opacity and i had to select the layer mask option.

Post 14 - Finished Image

The image is about 99% complete however i would like to still add some filters and effects to the image to complete the aesthetic.

Post 13 - Layer Mask and Merge

I created the template and added various images with various different layers onto the background. After completing this i merged the layers together. Merging the layers was beneficial as after adding various images i merged the layers to secure the images into one and locked them down as i was happy with the image and no longer wanted to edit it or affect it. Also i could change the color lighting and saturation for the complete image together to create a smooth feel  throughout instead of selecting the various images.

Layer masking is a good method in preserving parts of the original image on a separate layer known as non-destructive editing.One part of the image can be masked, the image can be modified and restored as the mask covers the image and not delete in case change of mind. Masking gives you the ability to hide, edit, and protect selected areas of an image meaning you can duplicate arts of images and use their cropped versions on other layers.

I have included evidence of the layer work:

Post 12 - Amaray Main Image

I created the main cover image by sing various characters fro a range of different games to be displayed on the front and rear of the Amaray inlay. The polygon tool was used to cut the images that had very similar colored background color and i used the magnetic tool when the background and character has a high difference in contrast. This tool was more suited to this type of image because the tool picked out the image from the background easily due to the colour difference.

Where there are any excess background features attached to the  image i erased the outside as i could work around refining the image without affecting any other layer as i had them locked.

Some of the images used:

Post 11 - (Basic) Step by Step Construction

Step 1 - Creating a canvas with dimensions 120mm x 120mm  as this is the side of the disc.

Step 2 - Elipse tool 118mm x 118mm using the transform box to place the center of the ellipse on 60mm x 60mm

Step 3 - I created the inner holding circle with dimensions 40x40mm so when i placed on my finishing logo cover from fireworks the dimensions would be the same and it would fit on easily.

Step 4 - Creating the 112 x 112mm circle to create bleed guide ensuring no text or image is lost as it ensures the text is within the bleed.

Step 4b - I created another inner circle to place text around with dimensions 46 x 46mm. however this remained as a simple guide because i decided to place the text on the bottom of the label and within the bleed.

Step 5 - I created a separate layer to place the main DVD logo onto from Photoshop. I saved the image in Photoshop as a TIFF format because when i would place it in the illustrator workplace the quality would not be effected as it would in other formats such as JPEG.

Step 6 - I created a third ellipse with dimensions 98.5mm x 98.5 mm so i could type the copyright text. I used other copyright texts to create the text for The Last Of Zombies Label.

Step 7 - Each of the texts and logo's have their own layers.

Step 8 - When i was typing the text i decided to not display the main logo as it displayed the guides for the text and the bleed.

Step 9 - I removed the black outline from the CD guides were removed and so were the bleed guides as they were of no use due to the text already having been placed.

Step 10 - To remove the excess image around the CD outline i created a rectangular shape on a template copy. I removed the fill the image to display the CD outline.

Step 11 - Pathfinder (Minus Option) to display just the CD and the main CD image within the outline.

Step 12 - I placed the finishing adobe image which is displayed below.

Post 10 - 3D Version CD Label - Amaray 3D

To add greater effect and quality of the game and image i decided to add a 3d version of the game label as well. I used the same DVD label image in Photoshop to edit but saved as a separate PSD 3D version. I duplicated the image layer naming one Red and the other Cyan. The red layer color was adjusted to remove the Green and the Blue displaying just the red. By holding down shift i moved it 50 pixels to the right. The CYAN layer had only the Blue and Green colour displayed and was moved 50pixels to the left. To finish the image of i cropped it the excess red and cyan on the sides. I intend to place this into a copy of the CD label illustrator file and make a 3D Label. This technique may then be used to create a 3D Amaray cover version as well using the same techniques. To view the 3D effect fully you require passive 3d glasses (red and blue).

Post 9 - Characters

I lasso tool removed the character and pasted it onto a new layer. In order to ensure the editing is non-destructive i create layer masks for each of the images. I refined the image before placing it onto the canvas by increasing the smoothness of the image to create a 3d effect for the character. Originally i tried to refine the radius by increasing it however this did not work correctly because the background color was similar to the character which means the background would be included. I used this technique of masking layers with all the characters to ensure the editing was non destructive and i could easily mask aspects of the image to edit. The final character below  carried background images such as greenery and other background features. I selected spot healing brush originally however  i felt it would be more efficient to use the patch tool as i could patch larger images to blend with the surrounding rather then working with continuous brush strokes. Once all the images had been placed onto the canvas i decided to merge all the layers together after carefully placing the images together. I then decided to create some final effects to the image before importing it into Adobe Illustrator.

The first character on the right hand side had the original background trim around the outside, as the images were originally on individual layers the eraser tool was used to remove the background. The patch tool was used to remove any original image textures and finish the image smoothly and ensuring it looked realistic.

Post 8 - Photoshop - Main Image

The main image was created in Adobe Photoshop and then transported into Adobe Illustrator to be constricted into the DVD Label. I pasted the images required into Photoshop. I used the lasso tool to remove the images from their original background. Whereas some suggest it is easier to use the poly or magnetic tools they unfortunately have some effects that ruin the images realism. The magnetic tool often used to include the background with similar colors and the poly tool was mostly used with shapes that had straight lines. The work space had a background cover of fire reflecting a war zone. Layers were created to paste the images onto. The end product in Photoshop looked like the following in the next blog post i shall go through the stages of editing all the images individually.

Post 7 - Finishing CD Label

The CD label at this stage had the copyright text, copyright logo and the "The Last Of Zombies" title in the center of the label. The PlayStation 2, DVD ROM, Region, Content Rating Logo's and PlayStation 2 title ere required to finish off the CD Label. Adobe Fireworks was used to create this as the images are not vector but are bit-map. Various layers were used in Fireworks , Black PS2 Game CD was used to ensure the necessary and required logos were placed on the CD Label. The shape tools and various images were used to create the overlay template which has a clear center which allowed the CD label image to be displayed through the template.

I created the vector images within Adobe Illustrator and then transported them into the finishing layer in Adobe Fireworks. I then pasted in the official images to the template spaces created before placing the finished image back within Illustrator.

Post 6 - Text and Image CD Label - Did not quite Work!

I used the bleed guideline to type the copyright text and also typed the copyright logo below the center CD circle. on the CD template. The main image was then created using Photoshop, the central character is the same used as the DVD game cover. Three characters were then edited and cut out from the original image and placed in the front center of the label. Each of the characters were pasted on to their own layers which were then organized in such a form so the images can over lap each other creating a smooth finish to the label. I shall create a post named charectrs to give updsates/ details on the editing of the chaacters.


I then decided to  add two characters with lowered laer opacity similar to the amaray cover on the top corners of the canvas. The right hand side image was give an increased ssmart rdius to around 80% whereas the left handside was given a lowered kayer opacity dsplaying how both of these tools an be used to the same effect.

Once i pasted the images onto the canvas they gave the correct effect and siplay howver when the image was cut on ukkustrator to display 120 x 120mm circular only haf of the two corner images were displayed.The end product did not look professional and also the two corners images were unnecessary as they did not display anything key and therefore they were then removed.

Post 5 - Creating CD Label template

I created a new file on Adobe illustrator and started by creating a circle using ellipse tool  diameters 120mm x 120mm. I then created the bleed edge using the ellipse tool at diameters 112mm x 112 in order for me to type the text within the bleed margins so the text does not exceed the print margins.

I created the center circles using the accurate dimensions 40mm x 40mm and a slightly lager one with dimensions 46mm x 46mm to create the plastic transparent inner rim and the clear center was the smaller elipse. The basic template had been completed and the images. logos and text needed to be added.

Post 4 - Idea for CD Label Template

The CD label was created in adobe illustrator CS6 however i shall use Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks when creating and editing the main image for the label. The first step was to research some PlayStation DVD labels to create a template of what my label was to look like and to ensure it has a similar professional finish.The DVD label will also have bold images and the editing will attempt to create the sense of movement to portray action. Similar to the creation of the Amaray Case i shall first of all create the template for the CD label. The finishing shall be created on Adobe Fireworks once again with the various logos pasted on the image and the center circle and rim.

Post 3 - Creating the Amaray Cover template

I completed the creation of my Amaray case template. This was creating from scratch by creating a new layer with suitable dimension which were obtained from researching the standard sizes for keep cases. The first stage was to create a layer with the correct dimensions. I used PlayStation 2 game covers to create a realistic blank cover. each aspect of the cover was created using different layers. The game that was used to create the Photoshop cover is a NTSC regional game and therefore the cover has been created in the style of those regional games. A PlayStation 2 game cover was used to cut the logs from which were then pasted in the various layers of the blank game template. The text on either side of the game template was typed using the type tool. Once the game name has been determined parts of the text shall be edited to incorporate the created games name. The layers have been created as such that the game cover images can be pasted in and sent to the back of any logos on the cover.

Post 2 - DVD Amaray Idea

For the assignment i shall be creating an Amaray Label for a video game. The first stage will be to create an Amaray case template with PlayStation 2 front, back and spine design. I shall use Adobe Photoshop to create the template which shall include the spine, the top PlayStation Logo and the Legal text on the back cover of the game. All required logos such as the Teen rating, Sony and DVD etc shall be imported to finish the cover. I shall leave the individual logos on separate logos to display the various layers, layer masks and any other effects such as transparency. Once the template has been complete i shall import the graphics and begin to construct the front,spine and rear sides of the PlayStation cover.

The category will be in action and fantasy horror so therefore the game will be given a Teen rating. I decided to create the game after being inspired for this game from Call Of Duty Zombies and the Last of US. In both of these games the player fights zombies. I manipulated the "The Last of Us" name to "The Last of Zombies" which also gives the motive of the game to the player to finish zombies which is the end success of the game.


Characters from Splinter Cell, Shadow Gun, The Last Of Us and Gears Of War will be used on the front cover.The game cover design will be created over a PlayStation 2 game front. I will attempt to use some bold pictures on the front and on the rear of the cover there will be small cut outs of various 'scenes' from the game.

Post 1 - Module Overview

This blog will go through the stages of creating an Amaray style game/movie case, creating a DVD label and a short one minute trailer for the DVD/Game. The game case will be created in Photoshop and on a canvas that will be created with the same dimensions as an actual Amaray case. This will make it easier to work with and use physically. Photoshop will not be the only piece of software used, i am planning to use illustrator as well Smart Photo Editor and (nch) software. These software are important to use as they specialize in creating a more professional looking end product whereas Photoshop is better used in editing and manipulating photos.

Similarly the DVD label will be created using a few different pieces of software.I shall construct the main image on Adobe Illustrator as other software such as Photoshop are better used when editing and manipulating images to create the DVD label image. To finish the item i shall be using Adobe Fireworks to create the official DVD logo's and CD circle will cover the official requirements for a PlayStation 2 game. I have chosen Adobe Fireworks ahead of other software because the images can be edited without damaging the original quality which is possible with other software. On one layer you can use a multiple images whereas in Photoshop etc you require various layers allowing me to create one single layer with the various small logos pasted onto it.

I have created some mind maps and ideas and will continue to post updates throughout this project explaining the various stages of construction and why i have made such decisions.