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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Security Lasers
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08/21/2009 01:06:42 AM · #1
I'm trying to add red security lasers to a photograph. You know, the type of lasers you would see some heroine doing acrobatics through in some miscellaneous heist movie. How do I do this without it looking corny?

I used paths to create lines. I then used inner and outer glows. I don't think I'm on the right track though.

I'm trying to simulate both the lasers, and some reflections off the case. This was a first pass, but I think it needs something more. Thoughts?

//thefamilynet.googlepages.com/DSC_0008copy.jpg

Message edited by author 2009-08-21 01:06:52.
08/21/2009 01:30:32 AM · #2
I think they look pretty good. One thing I thought of was making them a little thicker, especially the two lightest ones that cross over the case.

I don't know if they would cause enough of a reflection on the rough part of the case to show up. They would definitely show up in the shiny corners, but putting color in there might also highligh the reflection of your nice wood floor : )
08/21/2009 02:14:48 AM · #3
You need to create depth of field in the lasers to match that of the case; that's why they look tacked-on. Decide which parts of which lasers are at which part of the case and blur accordingly. To create a smooth gradient of blur, try creating a new layer via copy (of the lasers only) and giving it a heavy gaussian blur, then masking it with the gradient tool. Repeat individually for each laser.
08/21/2009 07:06:29 AM · #4
Ah! Excellent suggestions. Thanks! I'll repost when I've tweaked.

geinafets: at first I was like, "How do they know I have wood floors!" But I see what you did there. . .
08/22/2009 08:28:06 AM · #5
Hmm. It's sort of better, but I don't know. Problem is the blur didn't really create the depth of field effect. It just made it think and fugly. So I lowered the opacity overall to make it more subtle. Thoughts?

//thefamilynet.googlepages.com/DSC_0008copya.jpg
08/22/2009 09:26:04 AM · #6
Going by what I have seen in movies, here are some differences between that and your photo:

* The beams usually look much brighter and a fair bit thicker.
* They tend to use smoke/steam/fog to make them show up at all, since they're supposedly essentially invisible under most conditions.

I agree that the blur you tried didn't work out. Try putting a blurred layer (play with opacity again) on top of an unblurred one to give you the best of both worlds.

ETA: Oh and please keep your links clickable so we don't have to work so hard ;-)
Take two

Message edited by author 2009-08-22 09:31:33.
08/22/2009 09:49:41 AM · #7
part of the problem is that the lasers would not be the same size if they were close or far. Not only do they need to be much thicker cause it hurts my eyes to see them, but vary the size on each beam to create the depth you're looking for
08/22/2009 03:34:10 PM · #8
BeefnCheez: That's really odd, because this has happened before. I'll edit something in PS, looking for a subtle blue or red on a black background, and it's not that light. But then after I save to jpg, and open it anywhere else, it's really really light. Thoughts?

In any case, here's what I got. I don't know that I care to spend more time on it. it's not that impressive a composition anyhow.

Take three
08/22/2009 04:18:54 PM · #9
one thing i knoticed and wanted to point out to you is that one of the lasers is running into the case, wouldn't that be crossing the beams path and make the alarm go off?
08/22/2009 04:27:45 PM · #10
that looked intentional based on the reflecting beam... but it bothered me as well (from a james bond perspective)
08/22/2009 04:47:31 PM · #11
Have you tried putting a Bevel/Emboss on the red lines? I feel like they need a little depth/substance of some kind...I can't really put my finger on it...

edited to add: here's a tutorial on getting that soft edged "laser" effect that might give you some ideas to work with:
laser beam tut


Message edited by author 2009-08-22 16:51:28.
08/22/2009 05:40:12 PM · #12
Joker1114 / totaldis: I'm sure this is purely hollywood "tech", but I was envisioning those moving lasers? The ones that trace random paths? Ocean's Twelve Clip

08/23/2009 12:24:23 AM · #13
ah i see what your going for now, thanx for the clip to help, i was thinking like from the movie Entrapment
08/23/2009 07:53:54 PM · #14
It might just be easier to reshoot the original so that it has even depth of field to the end of the suitcase.
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