Since we get thread after thread on how to make lightsabers I thought I would make an official list of tutorials on how to make lightsaber effects. If you know of an effect tutorial post it's location here in this thread. Any threads from this point on on how to make lightsabers will be considered Spam and deleted.


TF.N Tutorial's
[link=http://www.theforce.net/theater/software/photoshop/lightsabers/lightsabers_hobson.shtml]? Creating Lightsaber Blades in Adobe Photoshop 5.5[/link]
[link=http://theforce.net/theater/software/psp/lightsabers/index.shtml]? Creating Lightsaber FX in Paint Shop Pro[/link]
[link=http://theforce.net/theater/postproduction/lightsabers/sabercolors.shtml]? How to get real looking saber colors.[/link]
[link=http://theforce.net/theater/software/premiere/rotoscoping/rotoscoping_finley.shtml]? Rotoscoping Lightsabers in Adobe Premiere.[/link]

Fan Film FX
[link=http://www.fanfilmfx.com/tutorials/photoshop/saber/index.htm]? Saber Tutorial - Video[/link]

AlamDV
[link=http://www.alamdv.com/] ? Special FX Making Software[/link]

If you find a new tutorial for the list leave the name of the site it's from and a link to the tutorial.

 

Or you can get a program that does the effect automaticly [link=http://www.alamdv.com/]here[/link]

 

it[alamdv] doesn't excatly do it by itself, and the sabers look right, plus its compression is horrible!

 

I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't make the lightsaber myself, an automated process is just so uncreative.

 

Can you say, "Cookie cut-out"?

 

I've had good feedback on my PSP lightsaber tutorial, though it's still yet to be tested on a film strip.

I hope to change that soon.

 

AlamDV doesn't give you as much control over the lightsaber as you would if you did it in Photoshop (the prog I use).

At first, I thought AlamDV was a really neat program, but then I started seeing that better lightsabers could be create w/o Alam.

The lightsaber competition they had in the Fan Films forum helped me decide...

-MYS

 

[link=http://www.eklectia.com/star_wars_html/lightsabers/lightsaberrecipe.html]Lightsaber Tutorial - Photoshop 6.0[/link]

 

up

 

Thx jedi-mind-trick

 

Here's another great lightsaber tutorial I just found:

[link=http://www.3d-cc.com/quagnon/tutorial/sabre.htm]Lightsabre Blade Tutorial
by
QUAGNON[/link]

-Otis

 

Wow! Insanely cool (god i'm a geek). Just wanted to say thanks for the info.

-Chuck

 

Thanks.

I used the tutorial for the first time on my Weekly Fan Art image. I'll definitely be using this technique in the future for my lightsaber images.

My old method, while creating similar and effective results was much more time consuming.

I'm all for "quick and dirty".

Uh-oh . . . um, I didn't mean it like that.



-Otis

 

I have a 5-step way of doing it. I don't usually do it this simple, but it's good for starters:

1) On a new layer, draw a white line where you want the saber with the "line tool". Make a little bit thicker than you want it to be for now.

2) Round the edges accordingly.

3) Go to "Filter", "Blur", and select "Gaussian Blur". Adjust accordingly.

4) Go to "Layer", "Effects", and select "Outer glow".

5) Adjust opacity, blur, intensity, and color accordingly.

 

Ok, I have a small problem that maybe some of you experts can help me with.

See, I can create the saber all good and well, but I'm trying to get the glow effect, and it's not working out. When I try to make the shape on the new layer, it makes two things; Another layer named "Layer 1," and something named "Shape 1," so I can't edit the white line on top of my saber and the layer itself in one thing.

Can anyone help? If I'm confusing you, I'll take a screenshot to give you a better idea of my problem.

 

right click on the shape layer and rasterize it. You should be ok from there.

 

I have no idea what you're talking about!

 

I was answering Kenobi. When you make a shape in the newer versions of photoshop it creates a thing called a shape layer, sort of like a mask. You have to rarterize the layer in order to edit it.

 

That's why I like my 'ol 5.5. Complex, yet simple enough

 

i have a couple of questions?

ok i make the lightsaber but do i attach something as a blade to it? or is there some program i use just to pretend there is a blade, or do you use a blade and then put a glow on top of it?

Also lets say i use a blade and put a glow over it, do i need to animate this glow in every scene or is there a way that the glow effect can follow the blade?

And one last question is what program can i use to do this that is inexpensive for im thinking of using it for a fanfilm but not like a all out special effects thing. Also can you refer me to a program that includes the animation to blade effect and one that allows you to make backdrops?

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!11

 

Ok Rox, but now I have two things; A layer with a neutral color, and another layer called "Shape 1." How do I remedy this?

 

Anyone?

 

kenobi can you send me the file? vattimo@vlattimo.com

 

Ok, I sent a screenie of my problem Rox...I hope you can fix it

 

I'm not sure if this was mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but this is really helpful in deciding which method of lightsaber-making you want to use. It was the lightsaber competition they had on the fanfilms board a month or so back.

[link=http://www.theforce.net/theater//postproduction/saberresults.html]http://www.theforce.net/theater//postproduction/saberresults.html[/link]