Make an Abstract Image

This tutorial will show you how to make the abstract image to the right.  When you learn the technique, you can substitute different objects and backgrounds that will give you an interesting image.

Step 1

Select the rounded rectangle tool and drag one out. Then select the star tool and drag one out. NOTE: while dragging out the star, press and hold the SHIFT while pressing the up arrow to increase the number of angles and the down arrow to decrease the number.

Step 2

Hold down the shift key and select the rectange first and then the star (NOTE: it is important to select these items in this order).  When both are selected, click on the SUBTRACT icon.

Step 3

You should now have something that looks like the image at the right.  Select the object, and from the colors and texture window, select Burst Gradiant for the texture and then select your foreground colors (I picked red and yellow). Then outline the object with a solid outline.  

Step 4.

Drag out a star and place it next to your original object. Select the Burst Gradiant if not already selected and color it by reversing the background and foreground colors you used in your original object.

Step 5

Copy the orignal object and paste it a couple of times in different places.  I made two of the copies smaller and rotated these 45 degrees and moved them near the top and bottom right corners of the original object. I reversed the foreground and background colors in one of the copies. I made one more copy of the original, reversed the foreground and background color, and rotated it 90 degrees and place it underneath the original.

I also copied the star, varied the sizes of the copies, and place it around the original object. Don't worry about exact placement at this point--we will check their position and readjust a little later.

Step 6

Press Ctrl+A to select all the objects. With the objects selected, pick a shadow from the "Shadows and Effect" Library. The one I selected is circled in red in the image to the right.

Step 7

Move some of the objects closer to the original image. I moved some of the stars on the left closer--compare this image to the image in Step 6 above.  

Drag out a rectangle, and select one of the options in the "Color &Texture" Library. The one I selected is circled in red in the image to the right.Move this rectangle to the bottom layer.

Step 8.

Copy the bottom rectangle layer and paste it. Select the top layer (the rectangle you just pasted) and then select Upside Down lens from the effects window with the settings as shown in the image to the right.

Thats it!!! You should have an interesting image that looks something like this one.

Play around with the background, for example, use a solid color or select a texture. Also, try using different shapes!! You will get very different results and interesting abstract images. Click here to see more images resulting from this technique.

A Planet RealDRAW Tutorial

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