Digital Techniques - Lisa Thomas
- 1. Digital Techniques Lisa Thomas
- 2. Costume design: Photoshop I produced this design in Photoshop, by using a template, which had be pre-drawn and scanned onto the computer. I then used various fabric samples that had also been scanned, to make up the design. I did this by using the magnetic tool, which outlined the particular shape, then I dragged the shape onto the desired fabric, and clicked copy, and pasted back onto the template, giving the shape in my chosen fabric, found this a really simple and effective technique to use, quick way of producing lots of costume designs.
- 4. Using Photoshop I used Photoshop to create the scene of a room. This idea came from my chosen play of ‘Streetcar named desire’. I imagined the room to be worn down, 50s style, with traditional furniture. I incorporated images by using the magnetic tool to outline shape and copy and pasting onto the design. I used wood texture for the back wall, where I reduced the size of the image using free transform, and multiplied it several times to get the panelled effect. I used the same process for the flooring. I particularly enjoyed this technique, and was pleased with the way it turned out, I will hopefully apply this idea to future projects now I have become used to using the software.
- 6. Using 3dstudio max Was quite tricky at first to get to grips with, but after persevering, it became easier. Here I produced a series of views from a stage set. This design consisted of a table, bowls, bottle, curtains and stairs.
- 7. Adding textures using Bitmaps Using 3dstudio max I was able to add textures to objects I had created. I did this by selecting Modify, which brought up the box, as shown below. I then clicked bitmap, which led to me to select my chosen textures from my documents. I then dragged the texture onto the object, giving me the desired texture automatically.
- 8. Here is another example of a stage design, made in a different way. I have given solid walls all around, and added the textures like before. The walls were created using the ‘Box’ tool, and making three of the same height on a raised floor. I also used the lighting tool adding lights at various points to brighten the design. On the left is a diagram of the drawing process showing top view from above.
- 9. AutoCAD I produced this exercise using AutoCAD to get used to the tools and working of the program. I first drew a rectangle and the particular measurement of 100x50mm. I then copied the shape two more times, and tilted one at an angle of 45degrees. To get the dimensions to be displayed I clicked ‘quick dimensions’ and then the drawn lines I was wanting to show. Then I pressed enter and dragged out the lines to give the measurements.
- 10. Floppy Disk This was the final exercise using AutoCAD, I drew the shape of a floppy disk using the given dimensions. AutoCAD is quite straight forward to use as you generally just need to type in the dimensions and the software does it for you. It wasn’t necessary to be too precise as it was easy enough to erase lines which were not need. I used the trim too to erase such lines.
- 11. Summary I have enjoyed, to a certain extent, learning about the 3 different software. I have found I have become more familiarised with using Photoshop and, it has been nice to start to learn about new programs as well. However I have found it quite fast paced and at times difficult to grasp certain elements of what I was being taught. I feel most of what I have produced I have taught myself by playing about with the programs rather than being shown by a tutor. I am quite disappointed with the way I have been taught, as at times it was not clear what was expected as the outcome, and I feel a lot more could have been achieved if the organisation was a bit better. overall it has been a useful introduction to digital techniques, and I have been made more aware of processes that can be digitally produced and incorporated into theatre design.