So you want to make a composite?

[Leigh]

Hi all

A few people at SimV are getting into composites and that is good but i thought i should show you how i do it. Just to get an idea on how to create something that can really pop It does take a bit of effort but the end result is very rewarding.

Fist off you need an idea. This idea can and possibly will change as you progress through your image but that can be a good thing. Maybe you

[Frequent Flyer]

Awesome, thanks very much Leigh. I'll try the dodge/burn tricks next time I do a composite.

[SeanTK]

This is so useful! Thank you for taking the time to guide us through how you do your stuff! 

[FuturePilot]

Wow! Thanks for the tutorial and great shot!!!  8-)

[ManuelL]

Great post!

For cut-outs in photoshop elements I am using a very simple trick. I am taking the shot of the plane against an almost uniform background (e.g. water without effects, clear blue sky, desert). For the cut-out I am using the wand selection tool. I select the backgound and delete it (sometimes this may take several steps if there are more colour variations in the texture). Sometimes I get a thin border around the aircraft, in which case I extend the selection by 1 pixel to remove it. When some pixels of the background still remain, they can be easily removed.

Most of the time this works very nicely for making cut-outs.

[Rich H]

Know of any preferably free software which can do the same job?
Thanks for this Leigh, I'll have to try it.

[Leigh]

No problem guys my pleasure

Ill post more detailed sections up when i have time but for now any questions please ask

ManuelL I personally doing like it..one because the background and 2 if i have a camo plane near the ground it selects that as well :S so i use the polygonal tool just because it gives 'me' better results

Rich Gimp is another free photo editing software i dont mind it but yes i don't particularly like it either

Leigh

[FuturePilot]

Know of any preferably free software which can do the same job?
Thanks for this Leigh, I'll have to try it.

pixlr.com  8-) It's kind of like photoshop but it doesn't have all the shortcuts 

[jnc1]

Good tutorial Leigh

[Rich H]

Mods, would you be able to put this into the Tutorial Library please?

[olderndirt]

Was wondering how and where to start on this - you've made my day  .