Comments on: On the way out, man.

Question: On the way out, man.

klangklangston — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 08:49:36 -0800

I'd like to make op-art style backgrounds for posters. I've been doing it with french curves by hand, but I'd like to use a computer to cut down the amount of time it requires (and the steady hand— curse you, strong drink!).

I have photoshop CS, and run OS X 10.2.8. Im especially interested in creating moiré swirls (and I know that if I could get one good spiral or so, I could transform it to rotate).
Have any tips?

By: jeremias

jeremias — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 09:17:01 -0800

Try creating a straight line and applying the twirl filter. (If you can get access to Illustrator, even the demo version, there is a dedicated spiral tool, which would make your job easier)

Also for OS X you could always play with MacSpirograph (and it's free!)

By: Scoo

Scoo — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 10:34:31 -0800

OMFG, MacSpirographic X WINS!

By: doctor_negative

doctor_negative — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 10:56:49 -0800

funny, I was just doing the same thing in Photoshop.
- Make a gradient that has alternating black and white stops spaced 5% apart.
- Use the angle gradient tool with the gradient you just made
(you'll create a radial burst pattern)
- use Threshold or Levels to force into black and white
- Now make a new layer, fill it with the same gradient but using the Radial gradient tool
- use Threshold or Levels to force into black and white
- Set upper layer blend mode to difference
- Now start playing with the Wave filter

By: jeremias

jeremias — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 16:59:25 -0800

dr_neg, that trick is good!

If you wanted to add some color try adding the neon glow filter in the last step.

Oh my eyes!