To complete the tasks demonstrated in this tutorial, you need the following software and files:

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended
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Sample files
lrvid4006_ps.zip (ZIP, 119MB)

Prerequisite knowledge
Basic knowledge of how to import images, create layers, use the Photoshop toolbox, and navigate the Layers panel.

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 360º degree panoramic view