Create a really cool Planet with Photoshop ( not for beginners )

[Esper]

Ok...

That´s not a critizm Threath to the one made by Aussie... I made this Threath, to show how to make a really good Planet WORLDMAP, using Photoshop 8.0 or above.
I´m using some more effects, so it´ll shown nice ^^.

Ok.. first of alle: It can look like this if it´s ready:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/Worldmap_Athyra_01.png

In Photoshop, you´ll have 4 Layers, that can be set On or Off to show Clouds ( or not ), Gradient Shadow ( or not ) and a star background ( like before..or not ).
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/01.JPG

Let´s start:

First, Make a new File by pressing "CTRL + ALT + N"

Set the default size to 640 x 640. Later, we´ll set the Planet size to 70% of that...looks better. Background must set transparent:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/02.JPG


Now, set the colors back to standard by pressing "D".
Draw a selection elypse to the full Image:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/03.JPG

Now, Be sure the Elipse is there. Now make:
Filter --> Rendering Filter --> Clouds

This will make the Clouds appearing ONLY in the Elipse.

Be sure the Elipse is still there... and make:
Filter --> Rendering Filter --> Different Clouds

Now you can tab "CTRL + F"... The white color will be our ground. If the land isn´t the right you´ve searched, repeat CTRL + F.

if you found the right land, deselect all with CTRL + D.

Here´s a sample it can look like:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/04.JPG

Now, on the Bottom of the Layer-Sheet. click on the Layer Setting:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/05.JPG

In the new Drop-Up Menu, select Gradient filling.

Doubleclick on the default Gradient ( shown directly on the new Window )
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/06.JPG

now the Gradient Setup has opened.
We must create a new one. But before we do, one-click on the Chrom U( blue-brown gradient )
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/07.JPG

This will be our start of a new gradient called "earth"
But before you´re clicking on "NEW"

We have to setup some colors.
doubleclick on the color-Dot at the left Side ( the dark blue )
Give him the Web Color ( on the color-Sheet, at the Bottom.. called "#" ):
061AB2

click OK
Doubleclick the white on the left-middle. Give him the Web code:
4C88EB

click ok again.
Doubleclick on the brwon-dot on the right-middle and give him the code:
D8DB05

and..yes..again click on ok.
doubleklick on the next dot. Code:
639502

ok...
Next Dot:
78FF00

and click ok.. now we´ve all colors. Call this Gradient "EARTH" and click on new.
Now click OK and we have a nice earth.

If the Landscape is to small, here my Tipp:
press and hold CTRL. now click into the miniature image of the Black-White Planet on the layer box.
Now you have selected the elypse from the beginning again.
Right... Filter --> rendering Filters --> Clouds or Different Clouds..

This works as long as you wish.

If you´ll have to much Land.. or you won´t have Land on the Side of your Planet, change your color to Black, select the Planet Black-White Layer. activate the "Saved transparence":
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/08.JPG
and draw araound the outer-line of your Planet.. The Land will deleted ( i´ve made that for my one ).





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That´s the first step. now the next... more Details.

but now, we have to do one thing first. On the Top-Menu, select:
Layer --> Merge visible layers

now we have our Planet on one Layer.

Now you´ve to change to the Toppbar. Select the Options:

Selection --> Color gamut

Now you´ll see this Window:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/09.JPG

With the Color-Selector, select the dark-green color. with the tolerance Bar, you can change the deep of color-search.

If you´ve selected a good color-place, click OK.

You´ll aks, what i want to make... Mountains.
The green color is selectet. If not, do the color-selection again.

create a new layer with "CTRL + SHIFT + N". Call it Mountain.
Select the new layer. Be sure, the color-selection is still there.
Change your colors. Foreground to black, Background to a darker grey:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/10.JPG

Now ( like with the Planet ):
Filter --> rendering Filter --> Clouds.

But, now we don´t need the different Clouds.
Deselect with CTRL + D.
make the Planet Layer invisible ( click on the eye on the left side of the layers name, in the layer-Sheet )
Open the Color-Selection again. Now, select the Black part of the clouds you´ve made, and set the tolerance to "15".

Click OK and delet the Black parts by pressing "DEL".

Now, on the Bottom of the Layer-Sheet. click on the Layer Setting:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/05.JPG

Choose The Gradient Menu again.
Doubleclick on our Earth Gradient.

now the colors have to be changed ( from left to right ) to this:
603901
774703
543504
543504
BC7A07

Call this Gradient "Mountain" and press New.
be sure the planet layer is still not visible.
Merge the Gradient, and the Mountain Layer.

Now, doubleclick on the miniature Image of the Mountain Layer.
In this Setup, use this defaults i made:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/11.JPG

Create a new layer ( you mustn´t call it something )

be sure the planet layer is still not visible.

Merge the Mountain with the empty Layer.

Now you can make the Planet visible again.

Select the Mountain Layer.

Make:
Filters --> Blur --> Gaußschian Blur --> Set it to: 1,5 pixels. --> OK

Now the Mountains are looking bette ron our Planet. Merge Everything to one Layer.


Now Set:
filters --> distort --> sphereize 100% -_> OK

Now it can look like this:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/17.JPG




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STEP 3. Still more Details....


Now you can add some Forests.
Here´s a Picture of the Brush i used. Best use a dark Green:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/12.JPG

Create a new Layer and draw Forests on it. best on grasland and near the Mountain.
Now you´ve some green Spots on your Planet.. but no forests.
Open this Menu again with doubleclick on the Miniature Image of the Forest-layer. Change the Setup to my one:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/13.JPG

That´s not the completed Forest, but now you´ve structure.
Create a new layer
Make the Planet invisible
Merge all visible Layers
Make the Planet visible.

now we can use Filters on the Forest:
Filters --> Blur --> Gaußschian Blur --> Set it to: 3,0 pixels. --> OK

This dark parts are enough to show a forest on an Planet.

Merge all. Planet is ready...




Now the rest like Athmosphere, Starbackround, Sun and Clouds and the Shadowline fpr Day/Night:

Create a new layer.
Move it below the Planet and fill it with Black. Call it "Stars"
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/14.JPG

Now we have to make our Planet smaller ( like i said ).

Select the Planet-Layer and choose the Retangle Selection Tool.
Rightclick on the Layer --> Free Transforming.
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/15.JPG

Now the Planet is set into a retangle. On the Top of you image, a size bar will be shown. Set the Width and Height to 70%:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/16.JPG

Press ENTER to confirm this. with the Movement tool, you can change the position of the planet. I let it middled to the Screen.


Back to our Background:

Download the brushes from here: http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/STARS.abr

Load it into Photoshop by clicking on the brush Tool --> on the little Arrow Top-Right --> Load Brushes

Select it and set the Size to "1000". Your Color must be white.

Now click with the Brush on the Left.. and the Right Side of your Background, to add a star-sky.

with Filters --> rendering Filters --> http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/18.JPG

You can Setup the Sun as you wish.. I love the effect my Setup makes ^^.



Now we need Athmosphere.

One Click on the Planet layer.
Press "CTRL + J" to duplicate it

Move the copy below the Planet..but above the Background.
Select the Copy

Now make:
Filters --> Blur --> Gaußschian Blur --> Set it to: 30,0 pixels. --> OK

Now our Planet has a Blur Athmosphere.

Make the Background invisible
Merge all visible
Make the background visible.


Now we make Clouds.

Press "D" to set the Colors back.

hold down "CTRL" and click into the miniature Image of the Planet´s Layer.
Now we have selected the elypse again ^^.

New Layer ( CTRL + SHIFT + N ) called clouds

select the layer.
Be sure the elypse is selected.

Filters --> Renering Filters --> Clouds

then:

Filters --> Renering Filters --> difference Clouds ( again with CTRL + F if the clouds are not like you want them )

Deselect all

The Picture is shown like this:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/19.JPG


Now we must open the Color-Select Menu again.
Select the Black color with a tolerance of 60.

If the Balck on your complete Picture is selected... That´s not a Problem.

On the Top-Menu, go:
Selection --> Smooth Selection --> 20 pixels --> ok

Now press "DEL" as many times as you wish.


My Picture:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/20.JPG


Duplicate the Cloud Layer twice.

On the bottom Cloud Layer, use:
Filters --> Blur --> Gaußschian Blur --> Set it to: 30,0 pixels. --> OK

On the middle Cloud Layer use:
Filters --> Blur --> Gaußschian Blur --> Set it to: 15,0 pixels. --> OK


Now, select the Blur-Tool:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/23.JPG

For Bluring, use a smooth Brush with range 50.

Now move one time around the UPPER Cloud Layer... For help: Use tha Planet Outline.

After that... Select the Planet Layer.. and move around it too. But.. You have to move more times over it.. to get a smooth outline.

Make all Layers invisible.
Make the 3 Cloud Layers Visible
Merge the 3 layers

Make all Layers Visible






Now ... LAST BUT NOT LEAST... The Day/Night Shadow:

Create a new Layer. Call it "shadow"
hold down "CTRL" and click into the miniature Image of the Planet´s Layer.
select the New layer.

Select the Gradient Filling Tool: http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/21.JPG

DON´T change the gradient.

now make a gradient as shown in this Picture:
http://alanleon.al.funpic.de/Tutorial_Planetenerstellung/22.JPG

If you made everything right, and the elypse was still selected.. The Gradient is only on the Planet.. not in the rest if the Picture.

Select the Blur Tool again and move one time around the shadow.










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READY...
Now you´ve a Planet. For detailed Worldmap, you can change the Visible of the clouds, shadow and Background ON/OFF.



I used Adobe Photoshop 8.0 CS.. But German version ( you have seen hm? )
If something isn´t clear. Ask... But i hope the pictures helped much.


Credits to:
--==Sir Lord Biowulve==--
Sempre89




enjoy it..