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Dream Suite Gel Series – Auto FX Maureen Shannon, NJPCUG www.autofx.com
Gel effects can be created with any good graphics program but require a multi-step process to achieve the desired look. I found several tutorials for various software applications that I have that take you through the process of creating this effect. One tutorial is 13 pages long and another is 9. It's a lot of work and time consuming; one mistake and you're back to square one! Auto F/X has just released a new set of effects to add to their DreamSuite series that creates these gel effects. It's fast, offers multiple-choice options for the effects and the results are stunning. While it can be a challenging and interesting way to create these effects when done from scratch, this series opens up a whole new -world of possibilities for all of us with a lot less design time and effort. I for one was delighted to see these effects added to Auto FX's line-up of outstanding graphic enhancement products. The new series can be used either as a Photoshop compatible plug-in or as a stand-alone application just as the Series One can. If Series One of the Dream Suite is installed on your system (and is updated with the current release) this will install into the series menu and when DreamSuite is launched the menu will offer either Series One or the Gel Series from the drop down menu selection on their newly designed user interface. It is available in versions for both the PC and the Mac. The Gel Series tools include Gel Painter, Gel Mixer, Gel, Liquid Crystal, and Crystal Painter. Each has a selection of presets to work with or you can load the individual tool and adjust the effects tools associated with each or modify the preset selection once it has rendered. § The Gel tool applies vibrant depth to text or to graphic images with a brush or selection § The Gel Painter applies effects that have a hammered, dented, chipped, depth bevel § Gel Mixer, mixes an unlimited number of gel surfaces together § Liquid Crystal, brushed on to images to offer a soft, reflective translucent effect § Crystal Painter, brush and paint liquid metallic effects (mercury, gold, etc.) Examples: lowercase e is the gel effect, capital E is the Gel Painter, the button is the Gel Mixer, the B is the Liquid Crystal effect, and the swirl is the Crystal Painter. Please visit the Auto FX web site to see the true vibrancy and dazzling effects. http://www.autofx.com/dreamsuite/gel/gel_gallery.html
Options available on this interface are: memory dots – select a dot before applying an effect and the image can be returned to its original state after an effect has been applied. Several dots are available so that multiple effects can be tried and returned to. A marquee zoom tools offers 1600% zoom capability. The pan tools allows you to move the image when it has been enlarged with the zoom tool. The save lets you save and replay your settings. The image can also be interrupted during the rendering process with the control interrupt feature. Mousing over a tool will bring up a tool tip that offers help for that tool. Each gel effect has various tools that enable you to change details such as the color, depth, edge radius, polish, etc. (effects control tab); surface sheen, sheen width, surface strength, etc. (surface controls tab); glassiness, environment, hue, saturation, luminance, softness, (environment controls tab); spotlight, feather, size, light color, ambient light, glare strength, etc. (lighting controls tab). I installed the Gel Series from the downloadable version. I then went back to the web site and downloaded the manuals and guides that are available on the product details page. The installation was quick and I had the application up and running in a few minutes. I was very anxious to try this product and I found my first few attempts were quite successful. While I am not an expert at using all of the tools and features available, I was able to create some great looks right away. By layering designs, I was able to add a variety of effects and I had a lot of fun working with the gel tools. I even made a new graphic for my SIG page and added it to an applet. Instead of the usual picture type of image I normally create for this page, this time I did a colorful text image with small shapes and sparkling java applet stars. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy the applications available from Auto FX but you certainly will get professional results and greatly enhance your work. This is a key feature that makes Auto FX products so desirable to have - anyone can achieve a fabulous looking design by applying one of their effects. Auto F/X has terrific products for enhancing graphics. Their latest applications, the DreamSuite Series, are sure winners. The Gel Series is the second release in the new suite of effects. If you are working with graphics and haven't tried anything from Auto F/X, do yourself a favor and try the applications. Effects can be very expensive. I purchased a single effect (a.k.a. filter) a few years ago from another company and paid over $60. DreamSuite Series 1 has 18 effects ($299) and the Gel Series has 5 gel tools to work with and sells for $99. Each series component is available as a separate purchase of $50 each. Purchasing the suites saves a lot of money and provides you with tools that you will never get tired of working with. Auto FX also have other great applications such as Photo/Graphic Edges 5.0 and AutoEye. If you are a professional designer, you will really enjoy the effects you get from these products and if you are new to designing and want create beautiful images with a professional look, these are a must have to add to your software tools. No matter what level of user you are, you will get amazing results that are sure to please. We are not all born experts but with tools like these we can design like we are. I use Examples from the Auto FX Web Site:
My First Attempts:
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Everywhere I look these days, I see gel effects. Gel effects are pastel to vibrant colors, semi-transparent or opaque effects
used on buttons, banners, and other graphics and often seen with a soft glow around them. The effect is a luscious, glassy liquid-like appearance that is eye-popping! The look is
becoming very popular. Brightly colored, translucent graphics and text enhance any graphic they are applied to.
The interface is very easy to work with. When the application opens with the image or masked area
you're applying the effect to, the series is selected first (if Series One and Gel Series are both installed) and then the desired tool. When the tool is selected, either the tool itself is used or a selected preset
effect. Next the selection is rendered – processed – and the effect appears in the window. Once this is done any of the tools available with the selected effect can be applied to modify the look of the effect.
