Tutoriel: AKVIS Decorator

Aliens Are Coming

The author of the tutorial, Laval Yan, used Adobe Photoshop and two AKVIS plug-ins to convert a photo of his nephew into a photo of an alien.

Laval used AKVIS Decorator to apply new texture to the boy's skin and AKVIS LightShop to add extra-terrestrial light to the eyes and an original haircut to the creature.

• Step 1. Open the photo you want to edit in any photo editor compatible with AKVIS plug-ins.
  
• Step 2. Select the face of the boy with any selection tool.

  The easiest way to make a precise selection in Adobe Photoshop is to use Quick Mask Mode, in Photoshop Elements you can apply Selection Brush. In Paint Shop Pro you can use Freehand Selection, in Corel PHOTO-PAINT - Brush Mask.

  
• Step 3. Call the plug-in AKVIS Decorator by selecting AKVIS -> Decorator in the menu.

  Open Texture Library with a left double-click on the texture pattern; in the Animals group select the texture with fish scale.

  Adjust the parameters Brightness and Warping (others can stay the same) and press the button .

  
• Step 4. Apply the result by pressing the button .
  
• Step 5. Repeat the steps 2-4 to apply new textures to the T-shirt and the collar to dress the alien in a space-suit.
  
  
• Step 6. Create an original haircut for the creature using AKVIS LightShop.

  Select the hair of the boy with any selection tool and call AKVIS LightShop.

  

  In the AKVIS presets list there is Sample 03 that suits well for our task. Select this preset from the list and press the button Edit to open the Settings of this preset.

  The preset has only one element - Particles. First we will change the color of the element: on the gradient line we will set black color for both yellow and violet sliders.

  Increase the size of particles (Particle Size) from 25 to 45%. Change the value of the parameter Scale X of the Scale modifier to 140%. Press the button .

  
• Step 7. Apply the result by pressing .
  
• Step 8. For the hair to look more natural, we will smooth its edges with any appropriate tool. In Adobe Photoshop you can use the Blur tool.
• Step 9. Make a Snapshot of the current state in the History palette. We will need it later.

  Now add to the alien's haircut some locks for a natural look. For this purpose create a transparent layer, call AKVIS Lightshop again and repeat the previous steps.

  
• Step 10. Make a new Snapshot and select History Brush from the toolbar. Activate the first Snapshot to edit it with History Brush. Remove some locks if needed.
  
• Step 11. Now, the final touch - add extraterrestrial look to the eyes.
  

  Apply one of AKVIS Lightshop's presets to create the effect of "snake eyes". Adjust the parameters so that the stripe was in the center of the pupil, as it is shown on the picture.

  

  Apply the result by pressing the button . Use Blur tool and History Brush to correct the edges.

  Repeat the same for the left eye.

  

  Here is our alien!

  

  Have a look at flash-movies: Boy transfers to an Alien (821 KB) and Talk to alien (1.76 MB).