How to make custom glass orbs with images inside.

Discussion in 'FUN and Sharing Forum' started by KD-did, Oct 25, 2007.

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  1. KD-did

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    First I will show you some orbs with flags in them.

    For this you will want to have TLC and an image editor. Because your image is imported it is a little easier to drag into an exact place.
    1) Import the image you want your orb to contain.
    2) Use the attached "mask" and place on top of your imported image.Resize the imported image if needed.
    3) From Images drag the glass image shown in attachment.
    4) Type the lowercase o, color white (suggested) and cut the opacity to suit your taste. Drag towards the top.
    5) Export and use editor to remove mask.

    Or if you have the right image you could type small c , choose the "Shapes" dingbat and insert image then follow steps 3 and 4.
    KD-did, Oct 25, 2007
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  2. Chris

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    Pretty cool KD. I like how those look.
    Chris, Oct 25, 2007
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  3. Laurenv

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    That is so cool! It gives me some great ideas...Thanks!
    Laurenv, Oct 26, 2007
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  4. Borpean

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    very niiiiice
    Borpean, Oct 26, 2007
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  5. SilentAvatar

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    I really love this idea too. Thanks!
    SilentAvatar, Dec 6, 2007
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  6. homesight <img src="images/ranks/mod.png" />

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    silent there are some really sweet looking transparent globes somewhere around here in the forums... I'll see if i can find them...

    -ryan
    homesight, Dec 6, 2007
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  7. mrwatcher1

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    vERY gOOD

    Love the images and thanks so much for sharing them and the tips on how to make them ....

    I'll come back to it and give it a try


    Greg
    mrwatcher1, Dec 7, 2007
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  8. mariners95

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    I am still not getting it, can you be more exact on how you make the orbs, I am always getting a square picture.
    What editor do you use? Or would you suggest I use.

    Thanks
    mariners95, Jan 1, 2008
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  9. homesight <img src="images/ranks/mod.png" />

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    Sounds like you may be exporting as a jpeg, or something other than a gif, or png file. Can you confirm? Also, make sure you are applying your mask properly.

    Ryan.
    homesight, Jan 2, 2008
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  10. mariners95

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    I guess I am just not understanding the process.

    I import my image, I put the mask on over the image, so now all I see is the mask. What is the mask for?

    I then drag on the orb over the mask.

    Type a lower case o. Is that in the text box so now I have the letter o on the orb? Why what is the letter for?

    Drag towards the top... The letter o... is it already on top?

    I export but I get the mask and no picture of anything.

    So what editor do you use for the removal of only the mask?

    I am sorry if these are too many questions, I just think I could use this orb stuff on my website and it is real frustrating that I am not getting this correct.

    I am usually pretty quick to catch on this stuff.

    I have attached an image I am trying to get in to an orb is one like this possible?

    Attached Files:

    mariners95, Jan 2, 2008
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  11. KD-did

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    You need to save the "mask" as a png. Then you will have a square with a whole in the middle and that is where your image will show through.

    Strange while viewing this thread on my Mac I can't even see the mask above which is (really) there... so I am attaching another one. You you didn't click on the thumbnail to enlarge it maybe the reason you aren't able to use it.

    Yes mariners95, your attachment can be made into and orb. I would have done it for you but the image attached to your post was too small to use. The mask is used to block and area out and to make a square into a round shape. If you are not seeing a square with a transparent circle after saving the mask, just "remove white background" under the modify tab.

    One handy little program/tool (if you are using a PC) you can use to remove the mask AFTER exporting from TLC is
    http://www.irfanview.com/
    KD-did, Jan 2, 2008
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  12. mariners95

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    First of all you have been great help!!

    Now I have the orb with the blue mask still around it and I downloaded the program you suggested, I just cant find how to take the mask off now.

    I will try using the other mask as well in a second.
    mariners95, Jan 2, 2008
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  13. KD-did

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    Okay, just open the exported image with irfanview then it is just a matter of "save as"...choose png and it will ask you about transparency and it will give you an eyedropper...choose the color of the mask...


    BTW if the image doesn't quite fill the masks just color the canvas the same color as your images background.

    I would love to be able to do a screenshot of the steps but my PC is in computer ICU... looks like I lost my power supply.:image09:
    KD-did, Jan 2, 2008
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  14. mariners95

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    OK cool I did it(WOOHOO), but when I save as and remove the mask, there are still a few blue particles, so it did not take all the blue mask away. I am a perfectionist, what can or do I do now, or will it just be not perfect?

    By the way this is so cool, I will be using these for my website.


    I can't wait to get the time (today or tomorrow) to finish the rest of the orbs!!:image28:
    mariners95, Jan 2, 2008
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  15. KD-did

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    You have every right to be a perfectionist, especially when it is going on a website. I am at a loss to explain why there should be any artifacts left...if I saw your orbs I might be able to explain. Is there a chance they are part of the glass elements which gives the glass the glassy look..the highlights and contours?????? Do you have any other image editors on board your computer that might do a better job of removing the mask?
    KD-did, Jan 2, 2008
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  16. mariners95

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    OK i figured out how to get rid of all the particles.

    I just changed the blue mask to a white mask and it works perfectly.

    This is really cool and thanks for ALL the help!!!

    I think I need to order the sports pack!!

    Later:image28:
    mariners95, Jan 2, 2008
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  17. KD-did

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    Glad you found what worked for you, I chose light blue so it could be seen on a white background and to protect any white that maybe used in an image to be made into an orb.
    KD-did, Jan 2, 2008
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  18. meinrosebud

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    Great mate. Good hint thanks
    meinrosebud, Jan 3, 2008
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  19. pddawson

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    Very informative and useful
    pddawson, Jan 10, 2008
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  20. KD-did

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    If you want just custom colored orbs. Type the letter c then choose the embedded font "SHAPES" that will a make a circle. Color as desired (even gradient and other text effects work). You can even put a slightly darker THIN outline to give it a more 3D ish POP. Put the glass overlay as above and you have a custom colored orb.

    For a little more polish in one area type the letter o and choose "SHAPES" again that will produce an oval ,color it white play with the opacity (cutting it down) until you are happy then drag it to where you want the appearance of more shine and place glass overlay.

    There is no need for a mask when making a colored orb because it is already the right shape.
    KD-did, Feb 24, 2008
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