Photoshop help

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jctusmc03

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Dec 8, 2009
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I'm just now trying to learn how to use Photoshop, if I wanted to put something into a picture numbers/names/etc how would I make it look like it was originally part of the picture exactly?

The thing I'm trying to edit this into is a white piece of paper, it already has some other text on it and I want it to look like that text, and blend with the paper. If you all know of any tutorials I'd be glad to watch those instead if you don't feel like explaining it in nooby terms.

Thanks! :D
 
Can't really tell from the description what you are trying to do. Mixing and matching pictures and items is an art as much as a science. It really depends on the pictures/items. You can use the pen tool to outline different things and save the selection as paths or you can use the quick selection/magic wand tools if it is a quick and dirty job. Or you can make a mask using channels... Without knowing specifically what you are trying to accomplish its hard to offer anything but the most generic advice....
A good place to go for photoshop tutorials if you don't mind paying $30 (months subscription) is www.Lynda.com
Otherwise there is a wealth of info out there if you google.
 
Literally the very first line of my post say's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish: "I'm just now trying to learn how to use Photoshop, if I wanted to put something into a picture numbers/names/etc how would I make it look like it was originally part of the picture exactly? ".

I want to change numbers, names, etc in an original document to be other things and look VERY real. Lol, I'm scanning a friends marriage certificate (I put picture as when it's scanned it is a picture) and going to put my name on it, and some random girls name, and show it to my mom and make her fall out. Will be funny, I think at least. But I want it to look very real.
 
jctusmc03 said:
Literally the very first line of my post say's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish: "I'm just now trying to learn how to use Photoshop, if I wanted to put something into a picture numbers/names/etc how would I make it look like it was originally part of the picture exactly? ".

I want to change numbers, names, etc in an original document to be other things and look VERY real. Lol, I'm scanning a friends marriage certificate (I put picture as when it's scanned it is a picture) and going to put my name on it, and some random girls name, and show it to my mom and make her fall out. Will be funny, I think at least. But I want it to look very real.
Click to expand...

Well, the first line didn't tell me what you were trying to accomplish it was very vague. you now have just told me what you are trying to do. Techniques you would use vary on the images. This one would be very simple.

scan the image. Scan the image of your signature and the other persons signature. Clone stamp the color of the certificate over existing signatures(make sure the edges fade on the brush you use to blend in). Now you can do one of two things paste over the new signatures on a seperate layer over the top and alter the color of the background using the color match tool, or the better way would be to edit out the background of the new signatures using selection tool. Save them as a psd with no background (transparent background layer) and drop in over the top and move them into position.
 
matteos said:
Well, the first line didn't tell me what you were trying to accomplish it was very vague. you now have just told me what you are trying to do. Techniques you would use vary on the images. This one would be very simple.

scan the image. Scan the image of your signature and the other persons signature. Clone stamp the color of the certificate over existing signatures(make sure the edges fade on the brush you use to blend in). Now you can do one of two things paste over the new signatures on a seperate layer over the top and alter the color of the background using the color match tool, or the better way would be to edit out the background of the new signatures using selection tool. Save them as a psd with no background (transparent background layer) and drop in over the top and move them into position.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the confusion, as I mentioned I'm a noob when it comes to this, and also these forums. I should have thought my original question out more, and given a more thorough explanation. I wasn't trying in any way to be rude either. Also, sorry ahead of time for these next questions, super annoying/nooby I know.

Now some questions for you: (Very nooby I know, but I'm in a hurry, mothers day.)

1. The original scan of the document with my friends signature will work for his signature correct? Also, I can scan one of mine as well.

2. How do you clone stamp exactly?

3. How do you use/access the fade brush, and how do you make layers?

4. What does the color match tool icon look like?

5. How do you edit out background and make transparent layer?

Thank you so much for your time in this matter! :D
 
This is a pretty easy job - should be a good way to learn some PS!

For starters, scan all 3 of the images you'll be using. Open all 3 files in PS at the same time - use the window-menu settings or drag the windows around so all the images are side-by side. An easy way to paste the new signatures into the main file is just to drag them into the main document to where you want them. When you do this, it will create a new layer for each pasted-in image.

To view the layers panel press F7, or select it under the Window menu. Once you've dragged in the extra signature graphics, you should see 3 (or maybe more) different layers in the layers panel. You can click the little eye icon beside each layer in the panel to turn each layer off and on. You can re-name the layers there so they're easier to keep track of.

To size each of the new signatures to fit over the old ones, select the layer for the signature you're working on, and hit Ctrl+T to free-transform that image. Position it where it needs to be over the old document, and double-click on it to tell it to keep the change. Select the layer of the other signature in the layers panel to do the same on the other signature.

Now all you have to do is the blending - depending on the quality of your scans and how the size of the old/new signatures match up, this may be very hard or very easy. Ideally, the new signatures will cover the old completely, so you should be able to use the eraser tool to blend the edges of your new signature layers, and you're all done. If the old signatures are sticking out over the edges of the new ones, you'll have to use the clone tool to edit the original-document on the bottom layer, and replace the old signatures with blank-paper texture.

If needed, you should look up a tutorial on using the clone-stamp. It's a little complicated starting out. Or if you're using PS CS5, just use the easy Heal brush (looks like a little band-aid) to get rid of the old signatures.

Also, you may want to adjust the opacity of the new layers to blend them a little more easily, and if the paper background-white tones don't match up, you may want to add a curves layer or some color-adjustment to make everything match up. There are several options under the Adjustments panel that you can use to tweak the way each layer looks.

Hope that gets you started.
 
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I think what I and madFive posted should have you covered. If you run into any more difficulties try google as there are random tutorials for all sorts of things or just post back with your problems.

here's a couple of resources.
Explaining the tools and where they are
http://www.photoshoplab.com/photoshop-tool-basics.html
clone stamp
http://tutorials-photoshop.com/basics/clone-stamp-erasing/index.php
working with layers
http://www.tutorial9.net/tutorials/photoshop-tutorials/working-with-layers-in-photoshop/
A few other things
http://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/

When doing work try and keep everything re-editable, when you add something to the picture add it to a seperate layer you can turn layers off if you don't like them rather than deleting stuff.
 
Here's the easy way - copy a portion of the original and paste it over the name, smudge the sides, use the text tool and pick a print font and type your name, pick a signature font and type your signature, use a medium gray for all the text instead of a solid black, merge the image, and do Filter > Blur a few times so the editing isn't noticeable.

lazyman editing + blur = win
 
Thanks everyone, you're all a lot of help. Being a noob at this photoshop editing isn't fun at all. But everyone has to be a noob at something at some point I guess.
 
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