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Unit Portrait Tutorial


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 1. Here is the standard background I use:

unit_portrait_bg.png.4a62f4fd01b50c582a50f168a35fd5e5.png

 

2. Taking a screenshot of the unit in Atlas with the "Big Screenshot" option, it looks like this (note, I use a custom scenario map with a bright ground texture for ease of cutting in Photoshop)

unit_portrait_tut_0.thumb.png.d6e56c8208a7ef5d03276859052b2cbe.png

 

3. A. I cut the unit out of the background, B. copy the unit into a 2nd layer (this is important), C. resize it to 256x256, D. then add the background texture at the top of this tutorial. E. From there I adjust the Layer Styles (effects) of each of the unit layers to give the final product. This is what the file looks like for me:

unit_portrait_tut_1.thumb.png.1ec0bf5150045363425ac89d25ef2b47.png

 

4. These are the layer settings I use. First, to get that nice brownish background glow (THIS IS WHAT IS MISSING FROM MANY OF THE NEWER PORTRAITS IN THE GAME):

unit_portrait_tut_2.thumb.png.01732cd44119f3b59a4e06e081cf6012.png

 

5. Here, I create the drop shadow effect:

unit_portrait_tut_3.thumb.png.981fcd0c8e459204562c19b2f162861c.png

 

6. Sometimes I add a subtle Bevel and Emboss to help the unit stand out a bit from the background. THIS IS SUBTLE, and usually used on a unit with dark edges, like dark hair or a dark horse. Sometimes I don't even use it.

unit_portrait_tut_4.thumb.png.30480b88d51563c30187ccb34792aefe.png

As an example, I used this effect to make the Balearic Slinger's head stand out a bit more, otherwise it would have blended into the drop shadow.

Spoiler

cart_infantry_slinger.png.53303c970e6bd18ce50bb7a1c0e3efe5.png

 

5. Here is the final product:

unit_portrait_tut_5.png.940aa114105afadfc1fef3884a3e1d3d.png

Further Examples:

Spoiler

athen_cavalry_swordsman.png.ec427ff8f3a58d55592ae53c5d4c663f.pngtheb_champion_infantry_hoplite.png.085c46ddf8ed01b5879b738e5da7431c.pngcart_infantry_swordsman.png.be2ff2d5e8d930dc31d61ae838286085.pngcart_champion_cavalry.png.b8937de4a36d94e2e7b6305e573e4fef.png

unit_portrait.psd

Edited by wowgetoffyourcellphone
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11 hours ago, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

 athen_cavalry_swordsman.png.ec427ff8f3a58d55592ae53c5d4c663f.png

The new Athenian cavalry images look great.

Have the images of the Carthaginian siege engines (ballista and oxybeles) been updated in the main game for next alpha? Currently they're not unlike the other factions that have them.

Edited by Carltonus
Fix, checked Delenda Est and the ship images are updated
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That's pretty close. The only difference I see is that my example has some intentional dithering/noise in the background glow, while yours is a smooth gradient. In step 4 you'll see the noise slider is set to 30% on the orange glow. It makes the background have a bit of grain to it and looks a bit less photoshoppy than a 100% smooth gradient. 

Edited by wowgetoffyourcellphone
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  • 2 weeks later...
9 hours ago, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

For techniologies, Delenda Est uses slightly different background glow (bluish):

 

It was supposed to be for the rice field do you have a special background for structures too ?

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