Photoshop® CS3 Extended Video and 3D Bible

Chapter 1. Introducing the Photoshop 3D Workspace

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Learning 3D file formats

• Getting to know the 3D environment

• Understanding the Layers palette

• Creating a 3D object

Welcome to the amazing new world of 3D in Photoshop! Whether you are a seasoned Photoshop user who wants to learn a little more about the new 3D environment in Photoshop CS3 Extended or a 3D designer looking to improve your creations by using the tools in Photoshop, this book has something for you.

The 3D environment in Photoshop is limited compared to the 3D environments that can be found in modeling programs. That's because Photoshop isn't meant to create, redesign, or even animate 3D objects or scenes. What it is meant for is what it already does an incredible job of doing: using its powerful filters, styles, and other paint tools to improve the way a 3D image looks dramatically and to create fantastic composites.

I'm going to start at the very beginning, showing you the basics of the new 3D workspace, and how to manipulate objects in the workspace. Then I'll show you how you can change the look of a 3D object by editing its textures or applying filters and styles to it. I'll wrap up by showing you how you can use all these tools in conjunction with masks to create image composites using 3D objects.

Because I want you to be able to follow along, and to some extent create the same effects that I create, I use the 3D models that come with your Photoshop installer DVD. If you didn't buy Photoshop in a bundle, ...