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requirements:
some photoshop/photoediting basics skills
imagination,
photoeditor,
cheap digital camera/stock images,
mouse,
hatred of the undead.
I built this gun in photoshop CS2 but It can be done in CS1 or higher without modification, and similarly with pretty much any photo editing software of your choice.
Helpful things to review before starting: layers, simple selection (ideally masking), blending modes, image adjustment options, brush, simple distortions. (nothing fancy you can learn all of those things in a day)
Images below are (1) the final gun and (2) the components for which I have instructions how to edit.
These are all the parts you need to create in your photomanipuation and a section will follow on how to edit each part, but the next page is for people who like THEORY and want to learn how to THINK about creating a fantasy image before you dive in. You can read that page or skip it and leap right into the instructions on building THIS image.
A. Trigger
B. Handle
C. Main Body
D. Atomic Power Tank
E. LCD
F. Hoses
G. Electrotip
H. Caution Tape
I. vents
J. Kicker Holes
K. Chrome Dial
L. Graffiti
M. Ankh Logo
N. Blood and Scuffs
O. Optional background
some photoshop/photoediting basics skills
imagination,
photoeditor,
cheap digital camera/stock images,
mouse,
hatred of the undead.
I built this gun in photoshop CS2 but It can be done in CS1 or higher without modification, and similarly with pretty much any photo editing software of your choice.
Helpful things to review before starting: layers, simple selection (ideally masking), blending modes, image adjustment options, brush, simple distortions. (nothing fancy you can learn all of those things in a day)
Images below are (1) the final gun and (2) the components for which I have instructions how to edit.
These are all the parts you need to create in your photomanipuation and a section will follow on how to edit each part, but the next page is for people who like THEORY and want to learn how to THINK about creating a fantasy image before you dive in. You can read that page or skip it and leap right into the instructions on building THIS image.
A. Trigger
B. Handle
C. Main Body
D. Atomic Power Tank
E. LCD
F. Hoses
G. Electrotip
H. Caution Tape
I. vents
J. Kicker Holes
K. Chrome Dial
L. Graffiti
M. Ankh Logo
N. Blood and Scuffs
O. Optional background
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Signing UpStep 1(skip if you don't like thinking) Taking it to the next level: Theory of How to Think About How to Make Your Image
If you just want to dig right into how I made the gun, skip this whole page, there are no instructions on how to photoedit on this page.
This page will teach you how to THINK like a photoediting ninja and how to build EVERY image you ever make...and take it to the next level.
First shut off your computer and go find a book...(fine, if you are under 30 you can just google it)
How is that going to help? READIN'?? 'Ritin'?? I'm a PICTURE guy! I don't need no stinkin' words!
Yes my young apprentice, you are going to use all those English class lessons you thought you would never use in school (algebra we will reserve for another tutorial if that makes you feel better).
People who write books put images into your head and they do it without any pictures at all. WRITERS know that the 5 questions are the key to description, and you are going to INTERPRET those questions in your picture.
Before you look for a single source picture, you are going to have to have the majority of those questions in your mind. When you can ask the questions, you can then see how EVERYONE ELSE answered those questions, and then steal...err... "SYNTHESIZE" your way to the winner's circle. Not only that, if you can answer those 5 questions you can not just build a ZOMBIE GUN for Halloween, you can build a sword, a tank, armour, a building, a spaceship, and a whole fantasy culture!
-------
So what are the questions?
Any WRITER knows. What.When.Who.Where.Why.How.
So today our topic was build a ZOMBIE GUN.
===========================================
What. When. Who. Where. . Why. How.
After reading a whole book (I will wait for you if this is a new experience) we find that a writer talking about a zombie gun, would have to know a whole lot about the zombie gun before he could describe it...things that the ameteur photoediting artist wouldn't concern himself with and then rush off to find the bestest, crispest, shiniest source he could find (or too frequently - steal) then stare at it for a couple hours and then give up.
So as a wise "PHOTOCHOPPING NINJA" you have become, you THNK first and chop later.
------------
WHAT: well a zombie gun. A hand held weapon. Say about a foot long. Fairly durable. Maybe kinda heavy. Made of metal or plastic. Not too hard right? This is where amateurs stop. At this point your mom will be impressed.
WHEN: What is the setting for the gun? Far future? Steampunk Victorian? Current? Near future? After the apocalypse? Before or During the apocalypse world war Z? Ancient Rome? Well in this case we are in a fantasy sci fi world, say 30-40 years from now, more advanced tech than we have today...think blade runner...but before the complete robotization. Humanity is struggling with zombies after some disaster/breakthrough, and we are still corporate run but life is kinda rough at the moment. Picture Africa in 50 years. Was the gun New/OLD how long since manufacture? Was it just unwrapped, second hand, or long a trusty friend. At this point your best friend might think you did a good job.
WHO: This one is going to determine a LOT of the details. Who owns the gun? male or female? How much money does the owner have? Who made the gun - some corporation? A dwarf? Was it hand crafted or smuggled? Does the owner LOVE the gun? Is the gun a part of the owner...what is it's history with the owner. How much does the owner weigh? Can he lift it? What does the owner wear? Where does he keep it? Who has he killed with it? Has it been personalized? Has it been MODIFIED? What is the education level of the owner. Is the owner HUMAN? What is used to fire it? Fingers? Tentacles? What is the owners personality? Age? Religion? Sense of Humour? Is the owner bitter/cynical/evil/good? Is the owner PAID to use the weapon? What is THAT organization like? What is the Logo of that organization. Is the owner battle-worn?
(and you thought making pictures was going to be easy...) At this point a few of those friends you don't know on your social media might comment on our picture if you post it.
WHERE: What is the environment of the scene. Air? Space? Underwater? What is gravity like? What is the air itself like? Corrosive? Dry? Sunny? Dark? Desert? Snow? The environment the gun is in, or has been in, will change what it looks like, how it has aged, the design to protect it, the weight, the attachments, the colours, etc. If the environment is one that requires stealth the gun will be a different colour than if it is supposed to be intimidating, or part of an empire. Was the gun ISSUED en masse to grunts, or smuggled into a mercenary unit. Where did the gun come from? What culture made it? What language do the owner and manufacturer speak. Based on what you know of items made today, you can extrapolate a style or look, to give a culture to the gun. An elven weapon would be all froofroo and light, but a russian mercenary piece would be dark and brooding and pragmatic. The visual clues in the gun should tell not only the story of the gun but the world it comes from. At this point you might get ONE favourite or LIKE on your blog/deviantart webpage.
WHY: What is the gun for? Killing smurfs? Killing elephants? Killing Bizorks from planet Zebulon? What is the ramifications of that? Does it need a spread of fire, or a sniper precision hit? Will you be constantly reloading, or is it good for a lot of shots? When you kill them are they at close range? Does that have ramifications? Do you need to be silent? What parts provide those features? Know this and you can start to google your picture and find it on obscure websites in foreign countries that collect images they think are cool.
HOW: This is all about the accessories, and form follows function. How is the item held? Where is it stored? Where will storage/use/holding affect the appearance colour paint scuffing. If it is heavy, does it have the proper handles. Is the layout logical. Are the finger holes in the right spot? Are there holes in the right spot to hold it? Does it get hot/cold? Does everything have clearance to move, turn on. Does it have indicators for the functions shown? How is it powered/loaded/disassembled? How was it assembled...does it have bolts in the right places to be manufactured? Is it broken anywhere? Are the scuff marks right? If you were to use it...what features would be important? Finally you get your first viral link to images someone posts and you find it is a stolen picture YOU made, with your watemark carefully edited out of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
So let's make up a list of ideas for our Zombie Gun answering those questions
================================================================================
WHAT:
Zombie Gun
Durable
Heavy
Plastic/metal/Composite-ish
WHEN:
Futuristic Nearish Future
Techy
During the zombie Apocalypse, probably near the start, but well underway.
Old enough for manufacturers to be making gun for this purpose
The gun will be obviously used, but not yet Rehab-ed or scavenged, or upgraded.
WHO:
The user will be someone forced into the situation
The gun will be a tool, not a lover
Human
Male
English
Educated
Desperate, but not a scavenger
The maker will be international, and corporate filling a niche market
Non-military, but been at this a while
Kept nearby for quick use
Young enough to carry a heavy weapon
Not crazy enough to attach fetish trophies (severed fingers,ears, etc) but personalized for his mission and struggle against the undead
Not fanatic about cleanliness (not OCD, or on the run with no time)
WHERE:
foreign made (component labels) implying world trade
English writing suggesting American
Normal land atmosphere
Normal wear and tear rough handling
Probably typical urban/suburban world war z environment
Call it American
WHY:
Undead killing, probably zombies
Close range (they sneak up on you)
Electro zapping (close range with spatter from kills) nice 'splosions
Personal Weapon but heavy duty for a side-arm, two handed
Looks like long term use with atomic battery
LCD Screen indicates heavy kill count (with zombies as well as a few vampires)
HOW:
Simple two handed point and shoot
Kick handle indicates recoil or steadying needed and heavy
Small atomic power unit that must generate heat as well as zapping
+++++++
I then did a long search on futuristic guns on the internet and noted all the features of other people's designs that indicate all of those features. I synthesized all the best ideas into my own original design.
So what does that all translate to?
Well, we get a pragmatic weapon, in basic grey with some colour to indicate important suggestions.
The futuristic parts will be the shooting tip, the power supply with atomic logo, LCD screen with memory card, and some sort of odd orange liquid with interchangeable options. The graffiti will show the attitude of the user as sort of a vindictive yet amateur user. There will be no military insignia, but there will be a logo (the ankh) that indicates the manufacturer makes this item purposely(meaning some parts of the world are okay AND that this has been going on a while), and some markings will be asian indicating trade still exists. The side handle indicates the weapon has some kick to it and isn't light. The vents and tape indicate the shooting end is hot and dangerous. The gore through out the item indicates use, as well as lack of time for proper care, while the shiny chrome indicates it is fairly new. Our guy is nervous and on the run. It is fully fueled and hasn't been modified so it is probably something purposely bought for defense.
=====================================
This page will teach you how to THINK like a photoediting ninja and how to build EVERY image you ever make...and take it to the next level.
First shut off your computer and go find a book...(fine, if you are under 30 you can just google it)
How is that going to help? READIN'?? 'Ritin'?? I'm a PICTURE guy! I don't need no stinkin' words!
Yes my young apprentice, you are going to use all those English class lessons you thought you would never use in school (algebra we will reserve for another tutorial if that makes you feel better).
People who write books put images into your head and they do it without any pictures at all. WRITERS know that the 5 questions are the key to description, and you are going to INTERPRET those questions in your picture.
Before you look for a single source picture, you are going to have to have the majority of those questions in your mind. When you can ask the questions, you can then see how EVERYONE ELSE answered those questions, and then steal...err... "SYNTHESIZE" your way to the winner's circle. Not only that, if you can answer those 5 questions you can not just build a ZOMBIE GUN for Halloween, you can build a sword, a tank, armour, a building, a spaceship, and a whole fantasy culture!
-------
So what are the questions?
Any WRITER knows. What.When.Who.Where.Why.How.
So today our topic was build a ZOMBIE GUN.
===========================================
What. When. Who. Where. . Why. How.
After reading a whole book (I will wait for you if this is a new experience) we find that a writer talking about a zombie gun, would have to know a whole lot about the zombie gun before he could describe it...things that the ameteur photoediting artist wouldn't concern himself with and then rush off to find the bestest, crispest, shiniest source he could find (or too frequently - steal) then stare at it for a couple hours and then give up.
So as a wise "PHOTOCHOPPING NINJA" you have become, you THNK first and chop later.
------------
WHAT: well a zombie gun. A hand held weapon. Say about a foot long. Fairly durable. Maybe kinda heavy. Made of metal or plastic. Not too hard right? This is where amateurs stop. At this point your mom will be impressed.
WHEN: What is the setting for the gun? Far future? Steampunk Victorian? Current? Near future? After the apocalypse? Before or During the apocalypse world war Z? Ancient Rome? Well in this case we are in a fantasy sci fi world, say 30-40 years from now, more advanced tech than we have today...think blade runner...but before the complete robotization. Humanity is struggling with zombies after some disaster/breakthrough, and we are still corporate run but life is kinda rough at the moment. Picture Africa in 50 years. Was the gun New/OLD how long since manufacture? Was it just unwrapped, second hand, or long a trusty friend. At this point your best friend might think you did a good job.
WHO: This one is going to determine a LOT of the details. Who owns the gun? male or female? How much money does the owner have? Who made the gun - some corporation? A dwarf? Was it hand crafted or smuggled? Does the owner LOVE the gun? Is the gun a part of the owner...what is it's history with the owner. How much does the owner weigh? Can he lift it? What does the owner wear? Where does he keep it? Who has he killed with it? Has it been personalized? Has it been MODIFIED? What is the education level of the owner. Is the owner HUMAN? What is used to fire it? Fingers? Tentacles? What is the owners personality? Age? Religion? Sense of Humour? Is the owner bitter/cynical/evil/good? Is the owner PAID to use the weapon? What is THAT organization like? What is the Logo of that organization. Is the owner battle-worn?
(and you thought making pictures was going to be easy...) At this point a few of those friends you don't know on your social media might comment on our picture if you post it.
WHERE: What is the environment of the scene. Air? Space? Underwater? What is gravity like? What is the air itself like? Corrosive? Dry? Sunny? Dark? Desert? Snow? The environment the gun is in, or has been in, will change what it looks like, how it has aged, the design to protect it, the weight, the attachments, the colours, etc. If the environment is one that requires stealth the gun will be a different colour than if it is supposed to be intimidating, or part of an empire. Was the gun ISSUED en masse to grunts, or smuggled into a mercenary unit. Where did the gun come from? What culture made it? What language do the owner and manufacturer speak. Based on what you know of items made today, you can extrapolate a style or look, to give a culture to the gun. An elven weapon would be all froofroo and light, but a russian mercenary piece would be dark and brooding and pragmatic. The visual clues in the gun should tell not only the story of the gun but the world it comes from. At this point you might get ONE favourite or LIKE on your blog/deviantart webpage.
WHY: What is the gun for? Killing smurfs? Killing elephants? Killing Bizorks from planet Zebulon? What is the ramifications of that? Does it need a spread of fire, or a sniper precision hit? Will you be constantly reloading, or is it good for a lot of shots? When you kill them are they at close range? Does that have ramifications? Do you need to be silent? What parts provide those features? Know this and you can start to google your picture and find it on obscure websites in foreign countries that collect images they think are cool.
HOW: This is all about the accessories, and form follows function. How is the item held? Where is it stored? Where will storage/use/holding affect the appearance colour paint scuffing. If it is heavy, does it have the proper handles. Is the layout logical. Are the finger holes in the right spot? Are there holes in the right spot to hold it? Does it get hot/cold? Does everything have clearance to move, turn on. Does it have indicators for the functions shown? How is it powered/loaded/disassembled? How was it assembled...does it have bolts in the right places to be manufactured? Is it broken anywhere? Are the scuff marks right? If you were to use it...what features would be important? Finally you get your first viral link to images someone posts and you find it is a stolen picture YOU made, with your watemark carefully edited out of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
So let's make up a list of ideas for our Zombie Gun answering those questions
================================================================================
WHAT:
Zombie Gun
Durable
Heavy
Plastic/metal/Composite-ish
WHEN:
Futuristic Nearish Future
Techy
During the zombie Apocalypse, probably near the start, but well underway.
Old enough for manufacturers to be making gun for this purpose
The gun will be obviously used, but not yet Rehab-ed or scavenged, or upgraded.
WHO:
The user will be someone forced into the situation
The gun will be a tool, not a lover
Human
Male
English
Educated
Desperate, but not a scavenger
The maker will be international, and corporate filling a niche market
Non-military, but been at this a while
Kept nearby for quick use
Young enough to carry a heavy weapon
Not crazy enough to attach fetish trophies (severed fingers,ears, etc) but personalized for his mission and struggle against the undead
Not fanatic about cleanliness (not OCD, or on the run with no time)
WHERE:
foreign made (component labels) implying world trade
English writing suggesting American
Normal land atmosphere
Normal wear and tear rough handling
Probably typical urban/suburban world war z environment
Call it American
WHY:
Undead killing, probably zombies
Close range (they sneak up on you)
Electro zapping (close range with spatter from kills) nice 'splosions
Personal Weapon but heavy duty for a side-arm, two handed
Looks like long term use with atomic battery
LCD Screen indicates heavy kill count (with zombies as well as a few vampires)
HOW:
Simple two handed point and shoot
Kick handle indicates recoil or steadying needed and heavy
Small atomic power unit that must generate heat as well as zapping
+++++++
I then did a long search on futuristic guns on the internet and noted all the features of other people's designs that indicate all of those features. I synthesized all the best ideas into my own original design.
So what does that all translate to?
Well, we get a pragmatic weapon, in basic grey with some colour to indicate important suggestions.
The futuristic parts will be the shooting tip, the power supply with atomic logo, LCD screen with memory card, and some sort of odd orange liquid with interchangeable options. The graffiti will show the attitude of the user as sort of a vindictive yet amateur user. There will be no military insignia, but there will be a logo (the ankh) that indicates the manufacturer makes this item purposely(meaning some parts of the world are okay AND that this has been going on a while), and some markings will be asian indicating trade still exists. The side handle indicates the weapon has some kick to it and isn't light. The vents and tape indicate the shooting end is hot and dangerous. The gore through out the item indicates use, as well as lack of time for proper care, while the shiny chrome indicates it is fairly new. Our guy is nervous and on the run. It is fully fueled and hasn't been modified so it is probably something purposely bought for defense.
=====================================
I shot all the photos myself that were not already in my extensive archive. All serious photoartists should start building a photo library as soon as possible. Take a small camera with you everywhere and snap pics of anything and everything wherever you are. You can build up thousands of images in a few weeks. Always make sure when you build your archive that you make sure to take at least one "head on" shot of any object you photograph, it makes inserting things much easier if there is no distortion.
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Oh, and I want one of these. Will they be available by Christmas?
The word 'Photoshop' in the title makes this whole thing immensely disappointing.
Photoshop is a really powerful tool, it is really easy to learn and anyone can be good within month of using it.
I though you meant to say that photoshop was bad/stupid or something.
Forgive me!
send message
A
Nice art it is, but please follow this up by making it as a 3D replica.
L
I believe the correct phrase is Yo! sick skillz, bro!