CONVERTING FROM 2D TO 3D

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended has several new features that allow you to
create three-dimensional content. In this tutorial, you will learn how to wrap a
2D image around a 3D geometrical object, transform a 2D object into a 3D
plane, and create volume renderings of DICOM (Digital Imaging and
Communications in Medicine) sequences and pixel layers. You will also learn
how to use gray values to create a depth map, composite 2D and 3D data, and
create 3D spherical panoramas.

WRAPPING A 2D IMAGE AROUND A 3D GEOMETRICAL OBJECT

Photoshop CS4 Extended can create a 3D effect by wrapping a 2D image
around a 3D geometrical object. To wrap a 2D object around a 3D object:

Open the sample file named archer_DC-2706.tif in Photoshop.
Select the layer with the photographic image and choose 3D > New Shape
From Layer > Cylinder. A cylinder appears with the 3D image wrapped around
it. The 3D Axis widget also appears, allowing you to move, scale, and rotate the
image along the x, y, and z axes.

Figure 1: Wrapping a 2D image around a 3D geometrical object
Note: Now that you have created a 3D object, you can add lights and cameras,
change its materials, and paint on it. Basically, you can do anything to the 3D
object that you can do to any other 3D layer.
TRANSFORMING A 2D IMAGE INTO A 3D PLANE

Photoshop CS4 Extended also has a new feature that allows you to take
advantage of 3D features using simple 2D layers. You can now add a spotlight
to an image or rotate an image in 3D space by transforming a 2D image into a
3D plane: To transform a 2D image:

Use the sample file named arcer_DC-2706.tif to complete this exercise.
Choose 3D > New 3D Postcard From Layer. You have created a 3D object from
a 2D photographic image. Note that the image still appears flat.

Figure 2: Creating a 3D object out of a 2D image
Choose the 3D Rotation tool from the toolbox. You can move the image using
the 3D Axis widget to demonstrate that it is indeed a 3D plane. This plane
respects 3D cameras and lights you create in Photoshop.

Figure 3: Using the 3D Rotation tool
VOLUME RENDERING WITH DICOM LAYERS

Photoshop CS4 Extended allows you to create a volume rendering of Digital
Imaging and Communications Medicine (DICOM) images. A DICOM sequence
is a series of cross-section stills. To open a DICOM sequence:

Choose File > Open and open the sample file named legs_stacked.dcm.
Use the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys to navigate through the sequence of
DICOM images.
To create a volume rendering, click Select All at the top of the DICOM
sequence and select all images in the sequence.

Figure 4: Selecting images from a DICOM sequence
Under Frame Import Options, select Import As Volume. Click Open. When
Photoshop imports the DICOM sequence as a volume, it creates the illusion
that all those images have created a 3D volume.

Figure 5: Creating a volume rendering of a DICOM sequence
Note: When you import a DICOM sequence, the 3D panel displays a series of
DICOM-specific render modes.

Figure 6: The 3D panel
You can also create a volume rendering with your own pixel layers. To do this,
choose 3D > New Volume From Layers.
USING GRAY VALUES TO GENERATE A DEPTH MAP

Photoshop CS4 also allows you to use gray values to generate a depth map.
To create a depth map:

Open Gradient Map.psd.
Choose 3D > New Mesh From Grayscale > Plane.
Note:Although you are starting with an RGB image, Photoshop looks at the
luminance values to determine which elements should be raised, and which
should be sunken. Photoshop raises the light areas and sinks the dark areas to
create an illusion of depth.
To adjust the amount of extrusion, choose the 3D Axis widget. Select the
square control located near the tip of the green arrow representing the y axis.
When you select the square control, it turns yellow.

Figure 7: The 3D Axis widget
Drag the square control up to decrease the amount of extrusion. Drag the
square control down to increase the amount of extrusion.
Note: The image is a complete 3D object that respects lights, cameras,
materials, etc.
COMPOSITING 2D AND 3D DATA

In Photoshop CS4 Extended, you can composite 2D and 3D data.

Return to Gradient Map.psd.
Create a new blank pixel layer by clicking the new layer icon at the bottom of
the Layers panel.

Figure 8: The Layers panel
Choose a fill color using the Foreground Color icon in the Photoshop toolbox.
Press Alt+Backspace/Option+Delete to fill the blank pixel layer with the
foreground color.
Select the new pixel layer and then choose Merge Down from the pop-up menu
in the Layers panel. The original layer is still a 3D object, with the red data from
the new pixel layer merged at the top of the surface.

Figure 9: A composite 3D object with red tint
CREATING 3D SPHERICAL PANORAMAS

An additional feature of Photoshop CS4 Extended is the ability to create 3D
spherical panoramas. To wrap a panorama around a 3D sphere:

Open the sample file named courtyard1.psd.

Figure 10: A panorama image
Choose 3D > New Shape From Layer > Spherical Panorama.
Zoom out of and rotate the image to view a 360 degree panorama.
To fix the north- and south-pole distortions, use the Merge Down techniques
described in the previous section of this tutorial.

Figure 11: A 360 degree panoramic view
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

Photoshop CS4 Help and Support
Learn Photoshop CS4
Using Advanced 3D techniques, by Chad Perkins
Using effects and painting tools for 3D, by Chad Perkins
Using the medical analysis enhancements, , by Deke McClelland
Lynda.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-
Share Alike 3.0 Unported License

Comments (4)Comments
terrencemichaeltmApril 13, 2009
This is very good,and easily understood, well explained. However can
someone point me in the right direction on how to once the spherical is
done,now get it out of photoshop to share with someone. Thank you Terrence
ChrsitianJuly 8, 2009
I can't 'get of the ground' following this tutorial.

When I open 'archer_DC-2706.tif in Photoshop' I do not get an image file with
layers, but only a single background layer, and from there nothing 'works' quite
as described.

I am running CS4 Extended, version 11.01.

Any help would be appreciated!

SG...July 9, 2009
The 3D Axis widget only shows up when either the 3D Object (K) or 3D Camera
(N) tools are selected (and View> Extras and View> Show> 3D Axis are
checked On). It also requires that you have a video card which supports Open
GL drawing and have it enabled (Preferences> Performance> GPU settings.
Lastly, the document window needs to have Open GL drawing enabled, which
is limited to a number of concurrently open windows based on a few variables.
[A quick way to tell if you have an Open GL drawing enabled window is to press
and hold the 'H' key, and look for the cursor to change to the 'Rotate View' tool.
Releasing the 'H' key should return you to your previously selected tool]

Lastly, please note that using the 3D Axis widget will always be an Object
based transform, so the scene lighting will be affected (ie. shadows and light
source will change). If you move the 3D camera then the light source and
shadows (in Raytraced) will stay fixed relative to the 3D object.
mlpearlAugust 22, 2009
Didn't work for me. Tried to generate a volume from DICOM files. Following
tutorial, tried to import as volume but the option is ghosted. Is this a trial
version thing? Makes it difficult to evaluate.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Chad Perkins is an award-winning software trainer, and an Adobe Certified
Instructor in Photoshop, After Effects, Encore, Adobe Premiere Pro,
Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and is CompTIA CTT+ certified. Chad authored
the books Photoshop CS3 Extended for 3D and Video (Adobe Press), How to
Do Everything with Photoshop CS4 (McGraw-Hill), and The After Effects
Illusionist (Focal Press). Chad and his brother Todd broadcast the All Things
Adobe podcast, which offers free tips in Adobe software.