Digital Digital TechniquesTechniques

Lisa ThomasLisa Thomas

Costume design: Costume design: PhotoshopPhotoshop

I produced this design in I produced this design in Photoshop, by using a template, Photoshop, by using a template, which had be pre-drawn and which had be pre-drawn and scanned onto the computer. I scanned onto the computer. I then used various fabric then used various fabric samples that had also been samples that had also been scanned, to make up the scanned, to make up the design. I did this by using the design. I did this by using the magnetic tool, which outlined magnetic tool, which outlined the particular shape, then I the particular shape, then I dragged the shape onto the dragged the shape onto the desired fabric, and clicked desired fabric, and clicked copy, and pasted back onto the copy, and pasted back onto the template, giving the shape in template, giving the shape in my chosen fabric, found this a my chosen fabric, found this a really simple and effective really simple and effective technique to use, quick way of technique to use, quick way of producing lots of costume producing lots of costume designs.designs.

Set design: PhotoshopSet design: Photoshop

Using PhotoshopUsing Photoshop I used Photoshop to create the scene of a room. I used Photoshop to create the scene of a room.

This idea came from my chosen play of ‘Streetcar This idea came from my chosen play of ‘Streetcar named desire’. I imagined the room to be worn named desire’. I imagined the room to be worn down, 50s style, with traditional furniture. I down, 50s style, with traditional furniture. I incorporated images by using the magnetic tool incorporated images by using the magnetic tool to outline shape and copy and pasting onto the to outline shape and copy and pasting onto the design. I used wood texture for the back wall, design. I used wood texture for the back wall, where I reduced the size of the image using free where I reduced the size of the image using free transform, and multiplied it several times to get transform, and multiplied it several times to get the panelled effect. I used the same process for the panelled effect. I used the same process for the flooring. I particularly enjoyed this technique, the flooring. I particularly enjoyed this technique, and was pleased with the way it turned out, I will and was pleased with the way it turned out, I will hopefully apply this idea to future projects now I hopefully apply this idea to future projects now I have become used to using the software. have become used to using the software.

3D Studio Max3D Studio Max

Using 3dstudio maxWas 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.

Adding textures using Adding textures using BitmapsBitmaps

Using 3dstudio max I was able to add textures to Using 3dstudio max I was able to add textures to objects I had created. I did this by selecting objects I had created. I did this by selecting Modify, which brought up the box, as shown Modify, which brought up the box, as shown below. I then clicked bitmap, which led to me to below. I then clicked bitmap, which led to me to select my chosen textures from my documents. I select my chosen textures from my documents. I then dragged the texture onto the object, giving then dragged the texture onto the object, giving me the desired texture automatically. me the desired texture automatically.

Here is another example Here is another example of a stage design, made of a stage design, made in a different way. I have in a different way. I have given solid walls all given solid walls all around, and added the around, and added the textures like before. The textures like before. The walls were created using walls were created using the ‘Box’ tool, and the ‘Box’ tool, and making three of the making three of the same height on a raised same height on a raised floor. floor.

I also used the lighting I also used the lighting tool adding lights at tool adding lights at various points to various points to brighten the design.brighten the design.

On the left is a diagram On the left is a diagram of the drawing process of the drawing process showing top view from showing top view from above.above.

AutoCADAutoCAD

I produced this exercise using AutoCAD to get used to the tools and 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 working of the program. I first drew a rectangle and the particular measurement of 100x50mm. I then copied the shape two more times, and 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 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 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 show. Then I pressed enter and dragged out the lines to give the measurements.measurements.

Floppy Disk Floppy Disk This was the final This was the final

exercise using AutoCAD, exercise using AutoCAD, I drew the shape of a I drew the shape of a floppy disk using the floppy disk using the given dimensions. given dimensions. AutoCAD is quite AutoCAD is quite straight forward to use straight forward to use as you generally just as you generally just need to type in the need to type in the dimensions and the dimensions and the software does it for you. software does it for you. It wasn’t necessary to It wasn’t necessary to be too precise as it was be too precise as it was easy enough to erase easy enough to erase lines which were not lines which were not need. I used the trim too need. I used the trim too to erase such lines.to erase such lines.

SummarySummary I have enjoyed, to a certain extent, learning about I have enjoyed, to a certain extent, learning about

the 3 different software. I have found I have become the 3 different software. I have found I have become more familiarised with using Photoshop and, it has more familiarised with using Photoshop and, it has been nice to start to learn about new programs as been nice to start to learn about new programs as well. However I have found it quite fast paced and at well. However I have found it quite fast paced and at times difficult to grasp certain elements of what I was times difficult to grasp certain elements of what I was being taught. I feel most of what I have produced I being taught. I feel most of what I have produced I have taught myself by playing about with the have taught myself by playing about with the programs rather than being shown by a tutor. I am programs rather than being shown by a tutor. I am quite disappointed with the way I have been taught, quite disappointed with the way I have been taught, as at times it was not clear what was expected as the as at times it was not clear what was expected as the outcome, and I feel a lot more could have been outcome, and I feel a lot more could have been achieved if the organisation was a bit better. overall achieved if the organisation was a bit better. overall it has been a useful introduction to digital it has been a useful introduction to digital techniques, and I have been made more aware of techniques, and I have been made more aware of processes that can be digitally produced and processes that can be digitally produced and incorporated into theatre design. incorporated into theatre design.