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Creating a 3D effect with image editing software (GIMP or Photoshop)

intro
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introCreating a 3D effect with image editing software (GIMP or Photoshop)

Here's how to make a neat effect to make it look like the subject of a photo is popping out of the background. This can be done with GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) or Photoshop.

I use GIMP because it is a free open source program with just about all the features and capabilities of Photoshop, and is easy to use. Because I use GIMP, all the menu directions and screen shots will be GIMP specific. However, Photoshop is set up very close to the way GIMP is, so it shouldn't be to hard to find the right tools. If someone wants to post the Photoshop menu directions in the comments, I'll edit them in.

GIMP for Windows is available here . (Unix and Mac versions are in the sidebar)
Creating a 3D effect with image editing software (GIMP or Photoshop)
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step 1Get a good base photo

A good base photo will have a prominent subject with strong lines, strong perspective, and an uncluttered background. You should also use as high a resolution image as pos…


step 2Set up your layers

Open up a new, blank image with the same dimensions as your base photo. Make this layer whatever color you want your background to be. (I chose gray) Alternately, you co…


step 3Make the frame

Create a rectangular selection about the same size as your subject on the transparent top layer. Fill it white with the bucket fill tool Shrink the selection (SelectS…


step 4Distort the perspective of the frame

Now use the perspective tool (either from the toolbox or ToolsTransform ToolsPerspective) to distort the frame's perspective so it matches the subject. When using the pe…


step 5Create the layer mask

In this step, we will be using a layer mask, something a first timer (or even a regular user!) may not be familiar with. Layer masks allow you to easily cover the parts of…


step 6Put the frame behind the subject

Now, turn the opacity of you frame layer down to about 50. This will allow you to see exactly where your subject goes underneath the frame. Erase any part of the frame …


step 7Add shadows

Now its time to add shadows. The way I do it is with the airbrush tool set to about 60-70% opacity, working on the background layer so that the shadows will be behind ever…


step 8Show it off!

There you go! You subject is now popping out of the picture! This technique can be applied to many subjects with excellent results. Try adding you own variations, such as…


315 comments
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Oct 30, 2009. 9:08 AMradiaku says:
hem, what a great tutorial. Thanks. I dont realized that GIMP can do like that, just like photoshop.

Great one.

Feb 15, 2007. 12:31 PMMHavoc says:
How would you do this in PhotoShop? Can you annotate the steps for PhotoShop? It look like a lot of fun. Good Job.
Oct 13, 2009. 4:45 PMRathrider says:
Nice rustler!! mine unfortunatly does not look very nice its all stock and idk just doesnt have that cool look)=
Sep 14, 2009. 6:03 PMPatented says:
Hey heres mine i did about a years ago!
Porsche 911 modif.jpg
Aug 24, 2009. 11:20 PMgmlFed10 says:
I am having the same problem. HOW do you erase the frame portion under the picture?
Aug 20, 2009. 5:25 AMzainybaba says:
yh and please tell me also how to do it on photoshop thank you.
Aug 20, 2009. 5:15 AMzainybaba says:
hi i just wanted to know how to get a transparent layer i am using the latest version of gimp on windows xp please be specific.

Thanks in advance.
Dec 21, 2008. 6:33 PMdarkride says:
This is my first attempt. I'm very happy!
Driving out of the photo.jpg
Jul 20, 2009. 12:16 AMtemp says:
I love how full sized cars look like models with this effect.
Mar 4, 2009. 11:49 PMJBz says:
This is great!
Dec 30, 2008. 4:03 AMParveen says:
NICE TUTURIAL! I
pop up object MuscleCars $$$.jpg
Jul 4, 2009. 12:05 PMsimran999 says:
hey can u tell me how to do dis thing..... i cant get d step 3.........which area do v have to shrink and which area do v have to cut...
Jun 21, 2009. 3:31 PMdenisemaine says:
Your instructions were very good - thanks. I coul dhave made my frame at more of an angle but I wantd the octopus to be climbing up out of the frame. Thanks for your help.
octopus3Doutof-pictureframe.jpg
May 14, 2009. 12:36 AMmiidaniel says:
Being a new Gimp user I've had a hard time following your instruction... Is there a chance you could simplify it for dummies such as myself? I would love to try and create one and I think it's one of the best ideas I've ever come across.
May 6, 2009. 1:23 PMSkate6566 says:
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://adk-photoshoptutorials.blogspot.com/2009/05/car-out-of-bounds-easy-way.html">I hope nobody stole your idea...</a><br/>

May 5, 2009. 11:36 PMDivideByZero says:
I've used GIMP for about a year now, and I've tried many tuts but I think this one definitely has the coolest result. I'll upload my version when I've done it :)
Aug 10, 2007. 9:35 PMMexicoman says:
I finally got it. Whew...

Nice idea, but unfortunately its real preaching to the choir. It's written for well experienced Gimp users, and many steps and all the program settings are left to guess at or give up. New Gimp users will have a an absolutely horrid time with it if they accomplish it at all.

Regardless, thanks for the introduction to Gimp. i learned a lot even if it cost me a lot of pulled out hair and about 30 difficult hours trying to discover the necessary steps in a clear, logical order. Here is my first attempt. I think it's interesting and done well enough, but my next one will be better and 29 hours faster.

Here is a before and after...
Forte 640.JPGForte in frame - final.jpg
Apr 3, 2009. 1:33 PMScwounch says:
That one is awesome! Nice work.
Jun 20, 2008. 6:34 AMSummer8 says:
Your efforts were well worth it - it's brilliant., I'd go as far as saying - a better example.
I very much like the idea, but I've just started my first hour of trying to figure it out!
Mar 17, 2009. 1:00 PMamando96 says:
is it just me or is this new version of gimp completely diferent? none of the things are where they are suposed to be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 26, 2009. 3:25 PMBrother_D says:
Are all these exclamation marks necessary?
Mar 27, 2009. 4:52 AMamando96 says:
yep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 27, 2009. 1:46 PMBrother_D says:
Ah.
Mar 18, 2009. 4:22 PMserialbreda says:
sorry the pics :D
Trabalho 5.jpg
Mar 24, 2009. 1:21 AMJBz says:
Great! Neat new idea. Anyone tried animating one of these so the object slides out of the picture?
Mar 18, 2009. 4:21 PMserialbreda says:
Hello!! and thanks for the tutorial!! It helps me a lot!
here it is the pic, without shadows!

keep on the good tutorial ;)
Mar 17, 2009. 2:08 AMJBz says:
Here is one of my attempts, where I tried to get fancy with an oval picture frame. I was trying for a perspective tilt away, selected two ellipses at varying distances from one another, then used Filters>Alpha to Logo>Cool Metal on the selection.
Later I found a Tutorial for a Round Web 2.0 Button with a Metal Ring. Added a wood rim layer and viola! Another variation. If I can get the car shading right, it ought to be pretty interesting..

Now if I can just drag myself back to basics, understand layer masking, drawing in shadows,...
cntryrd wood frame.jpgMG brbckgrnd.jpgMG cntryrd wood frame.jpg
Mar 3, 2009. 5:11 AMSeifpic says:
Nice tut! Look @ mine, not so good..
Image(179).jpg
Mar 4, 2009. 11:47 PMJBz says:
looks good! How did you get the glossy surface on the photo?
Mar 5, 2009. 4:02 AMSeifpic says:
oh and if you are talking about the frame, I just used that tool you use to mask anything then i colored it white
Mar 5, 2009. 4:00 AMSeifpic says:
Are you talking about the car itself? if so, that was just the light in my house. Other than that, I saved it as JPEG
Mar 6, 2009. 12:04 PMJBz says:
The actual photo surface has a highlight in the upper left hand corner. It gives a shiny finish to the photo, makes it seem like more of a solid surface. I am trying one with a 1927 auto, with the part in the photo done in the antique photo option(Filters>Decor>Old Photo). The surface should be shinier, or smooth to make the illusion more realistic. There are several options in the filters menu, but none of them do what I want. The nearest I can get is a highlight(Filters>Light and Shadow>Lighting Effects). This still doesn't give that shiny or flat surface appearance.
Mar 6, 2009. 10:41 PMSeifpic says:
Oh, thats because there were alot of lights in my living room while I was taking a photo of that Lego car.
Feb 11, 2007. 2:54 PMbugmenotagain says:
"Start by tracing around the frame and the part of the subject outside the frame with the pencil tool."
What color shall I use for the pencil?

"Now that the subject and frame are completely outlined, fill the background black (transparent). "
I drew a closed figure (white pencil) and filled it with the bucket tool (black). The selected region turned white!!!! (not grey as in your example)

Please explain this section in more detail. Too much ambiguity :(

Feb 11, 2007. 9:37 PMAndrew546 (author) says:
You were on the right track. The reason the area you filled "black" turned white is because when you are working with the layer mask, black really means invisible, so when you filled it black (invisible) the white background showed through. mines only gray because I had already colored my background gray.

Don't be discouraged, you had it right! The only thing you need to do different is use the pencil to outline in black, rather than white.
Feb 28, 2009. 4:49 PMFlumpkins says:
Mine is the opposite... I see the pic but not the frame :(
Feb 6, 2009. 10:59 AMBobblob says:
Inspirational, thanks !

Tried one with my wife's bread I photographed a while back.

Done in my all time favorite graphics software Xara in about 40 min.. Xara Xtreme is a vector graphics program.

I'm told "Inkscape, a free and open source vector graphics editor application, comes close to Xara Xtreme .

Breadprospective2sm.jpg
Feb 23, 2009. 4:33 PMEl Chucko Norris says:
yumm that looks like good bread
nice job
Feb 23, 2009. 4:32 PMEl Chucko Norris says:
my first try i don't know
corn throw.psd(350x470) 2 MB
Feb 16, 2009. 5:34 PMdanlab says:
Wow, I have the same tires on my rustler.
Aug 10, 2007. 12:31 AMMad Hatter says:
My first shot at it. I don't think it's that bad
Cow out of frame.jpg
Feb 16, 2009. 4:30 PMcrazy_kid445 says:
woah, thats sooooo cool. it looks like the left half of the photo is flat then the cow actually becomes 3d to eat the flower
Apr 23, 2008. 6:04 AMkamathln says:
LOL very creative!

The desperately hungry cow crosses dimensions to graze . Film at 11:00
Mar 23, 2008. 4:10 PMKeith-Kid says:
may I use this picture for a project of mine?
Feb 7, 2009. 10:08 PMmickyj says:
Wow, I got this to work. Something that was easy to follow (When you also take the comments into account) and produced something. Here is my first attempt (needs some work).
Feb 7, 2009. 10:12 PMmickyj says:
Err the image never made it. Here it is again.
Resize of final4.jpg
Jan 30, 2009. 10:46 AMamando96 says:
that will look super nice for bikes!!!!
Jan 19, 2009. 9:16 AMFasteners says:
thanks... image ibles are always useful to me
Jan 15, 2009. 7:02 AMwenpherd says:
those are good!
Dec 30, 2008. 4:01 AMParveen says:
hi! am very thankful to you giving tips to create such a wonderful effect.you are the inspiration for the begginer like me.
Just Have a Glance at my first ATTEMPT........

pop up object MuscleCars $$$.jpg
1-50 of 315

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