Episode 9: Photoshopping a Heroes Style Eclipse

By Ash Davies
January 6, 2010 from Graphic Design,Podcast

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Episode 9: Photoshopping a Heroes Style Eclipse [ 9:59 ] Download

If you’ve ever seen the show Heroes then you’ll no doubt remember the stunning eclipse intro. It’s only a few seconds long, but in my opinion it’s one of the best intros on television, mainly due to its simplicity and its stunning design. In this tutorial, we learn how to recreate that solar eclipse image in a slightly retro style using nothing but photoshop.

In order to complete this tutorial, there is a grunge paper file you’ll need to download, which is available for free to all Photo Guide members. Remember though, it is free to join.

This has probably been the hardest tutorial I’ve produced to date, mainly because of its length. I was very lucky not to go over 10 minutes. I think it took about 30 minutes to create the image, and then 3 nights of editing it together and recording voiceovers (I recorded around 200 voiceover tracks for this episode which I think is a new personal record). It was certainly worth it though because it produces such a stunning image.

I must give credit to Abduzeedo for this great tutorial. I’ve been in contact with Fabio, the owner of Abduzeedo, and he’s allowed me to create screen casts like this of his tutorials, so I’m looking forward to bringing you even more screen casts like this one.

That’s really all there is to mention. Good luck and feel free to share your creations in the comments below.

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  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=717&height=400&width=370 Kripling

    Really nice tutorial! I love Heroes, and this will be really helpful!

    Btw, is there a command that will center my mouse in the middle of the canvas?

  • Victoria

    I really enjoy and find it easy to follow your tutorials. Thanks it means a lot because I am just beginning. I am loving it so much it just makes me want to keep coming back. Please keep this up and I know I will keep coming back. Thanks again!!!

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=1&height=400&width=370 Ash Davies

    Thanks. Glad you like it.
    I’m not sure if there’s a command for it, but there is a trick I usually use. Press control or command R to bring the rulers onto the canvas, then drag some new guidelines horizontally and vertically to the centre (sometimes they snap in place, other times I just use the measurements). The crossover will be the perfect centre. That’s how I usually guide myself.
    Hope that helps :)

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=808&height=400&width=370 lulu

    I’ts great.Thanks.

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=922&height=400&width=370 herowike

    Realy great, I apreciate this ;)
    When your adding a file in a tutorial or sumthing, can you save it as a Jpeg, becouse then you have to wait awile for it to download (im on wirless internet) thanks :)

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=969&height=400&width=370 risingsun

    thanks a lot, i’ve learned new ways to get things done, where I usually stuck for like 20 min to accomplish.. :D thank you for that

    Keep them coming.. :)

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=982&height=400&width=370 brian-lk

    For some reason I can’t merge the planet layer and layer 1?

  • http://bit.ly/psoffer Ryan

    Nice tutorial, will be helpful to a lot of people. For anyone serious about photoshop check this out (USA only) http://bit.ly/psoffer

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=1055&height=400&width=370 goran181

    Thanks for the tutorial, really enyojed it!
    @brian-lk- maybe you locked it?

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=1359&height=400&width=370 mosh_ila

    thanks for the tut! We can learn a lot from you. And we can take some tips for design.

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=1546&height=400&width=370 lyonsbrandon

    Thanks man!
    Was really helpful, cause I got really lost when I tried Abduzeedo’s tutorial a while back.
    Thanks again.

  • Pingback: Photoshopping a Heroes Style Eclipse | iWeb University

  • http://www.websitedevelopment-india.com hire virtual assistant india

    simply awesome…I am not able to merge the layer..can you please help me..

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=4435&height=400&width=370 JASKNi

    this tutorial is very useful.
    thnx a lot for post.

  • http://www.wh-tech.com/products/security/camera/ptz_domes/index.htm PTZ Dome

    Hi Guy, this good blogs, thanks

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=5284&height=400&width=370 Giri

    I love this tutorial, thanks a lot!!! :-D

  • http://www.deloquencia.de/ phan-thomas

    Great tutorial, thanks. I didn’t knew that it’s possible to apply a layer mask onto a group of layers. What I personally miss here is a lens flare, but in the Heroes Eclipse no flare appears.

    Two handy tips I would suggest you.

    First is to align the planet and the ring layer in the center you can use the move tool in connection with the align options at the control panel. After you selected both layers and the background layer to align with it’s just a single click to align horizontal and vertical.

    The second one is for the roundup of the starburst layer within the group light. On the new layer you created after you’ve masked out parts its much easier to put black color on this new layer within a selection. These selection you can create from the mask itself.

    Keep up the good work :)

  • http://www.kilimlispor.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2665 Cesar Cutrera

    I’d come to make a deal with you on this. Which is not something I typically do! I love reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=6448&height=400&width=370 Calls

    Only one thing I can say: Unrendered.

  • http://www.photoguides.net/?fbconnect_action=myhome&userid=9178&height=400&width=370 creation32

    I’m sorry, but why can’t i not do the gaussian blur with the elliptical marquee?

    What am i doing wrong?
    I was able to do all step quite “perfectly”, but that step, i really sucked…

    Not so pro with PS… Using CS 4

  • Sohaib

    Thanks for explanation

    wishes for succes

  • Pashkito

    Great Tutorial
    Thanks a Lot:)