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Subject: Elite-tastic wallpaper by a fan. How's it look to you?
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Exactly. Thanks.

  • 01.08.2005 7:28 PM PDT
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I'd advise against using diffuse glow. Unless you are going for a grainy effect, it really does take away from the quality of the artwork. Try using Inner Glow under the layer effects menu (right click on the layer you want to apply the effect to). Personally, I try to avoid blanket solutions like that. I'd probably use the Burn and Dodge tools to subtly adjust the highlights and shadows on the edges of the characters. If you're new to Photoshop, keep in mind that it's time consuming to get it right.

Other things I would suggest are avoid showing image cutoffs. One example in your wallpaper is the Councillor Elite you have in the background. The right foot is pretty much in the middle of the piece, but it is cut off halfway through. Try hiding it behind another element.

It also looks like you've used Paint Bucket to fill in white gaps in the artwork. The left hand of the Honor Guard is one example. Check the jaggies between the fingers. I suggest using polygonal lasso with anti-aliasing turned ON to select the area and fill it with white. Hit shift-f5 to fill. You can select white from the pulldown menu.

Too many lens flares. Far far too white.

Can I ask why the group of Elites is aligned to the bottom of the wall? You could probably move them to the center, to accomodate the taskbar, no matter which edge of the screen people have it positioned (or if people use macs).

Try and adjust the colours and contrasts to make it seem as if the Elites are standin in the same room under the same light. Even with the extreme brightness, you can tell they are all taken from different sources.

You have some peculiar jaggies around the edges of some of the Elites. When you are cutting things out from their backgrounds, try to make sure your are getting straight edges.

Position the Arbiter a little better. He looks like he's taking his hoof off the Honor Guard's hoof.

Resize it down to 1600 x 1200 pixels. Most people don't use resolutions any higher than that, and it'll help keep the image file smaller.

Here's a few links you might find useful:

Halo 2 Wallpaper Kit.
Its a little old and doesn't contain a lot of the more recent stuff, but its nice to have lying around.

Prometheus's Wallpaper Guide.
This was posted a few weeks back. Its a nicely written overview of how to go about making a wall, including tips on how to use text. I'm particularly fond of it because the author refers to one of my walls as one of his favourites :).

For a first time Photoshop user, you aren't doing too badly. You haven't gone overboard and used every single filter in the one piece, nor have you put in badly placed and horrible looking text. The layout is nice and simple.

EDIT: Keep up the good work.

[Edited on 1/9/2005 9:12:36 PM]

  • 01.08.2005 8:41 PM PDT
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I think the creator of that is lucky..I wish my screen was that big......


  • 01.08.2005 9:02 PM PDT
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mecka,

Since you seem to know something about wallpaper production and photoshop, would you be interested in showing me/us what you are capable of? I can send you the raw files that I used, or the photoshop file of my wallpaper. It's an offer on the table. I'd like to see what you can do.

  • 01.09.2005 10:38 AM PDT
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I've got the same images you've used... I'll see what I can do.

If you want to have a look at some more of my stuff here's another link.

  • 01.09.2005 9:23 PM PDT
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Your stuff's pretty nice. I'll need some more practice before I'm up to par with that. All my formal training is in 3D solid modelling. I'd really like to see what you do with it. Especially if you can make the councilor elite look sharp.

  • 01.09.2005 11:53 PM PDT
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Too bright!!!! I'm blinded!!!!

  • 01.09.2005 11:56 PM PDT
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Posted by: the_Ender
Your stuff's pretty nice. I'll need some more practice before I'm up to par with that. All my formal training is in 3D solid modelling. I'd really like to see what you do with it. Especially if you can make the councilor elite look sharp.


Hrm... I don't think the Councilor Elite could be made to look sharp - not from the original file, anyway. It's impossible to make it look like a scan (and not a vidcap or small image) unless you are willing to make parts of the image from scratch.

Hehehe... yeh I'm trained as a digital artist and graphic designer. I'd love to see if you could do a high-quality 3D model of the Master Chief. That'd be sweet.

  • 01.10.2005 1:36 AM PDT
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That's my new wallpaper. It's great!

  • 01.10.2005 3:25 AM PDT
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Was gonna say something but decided not to since everyone else said it better...good job...you'll get the hang of it once you get more comfortable with Photoshop...I would suggest reading up on "Clipping Paths" that would help the rough edges...



[Edited on 1/10/2005 6:56:56 AM]

  • 01.10.2005 6:44 AM PDT
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Thanks for the praise and the suggestions all. As an mechanical engineer, 2D art isn't really my forte. But I do enjoy exploring artistic outlets, and it's nice to see that I'm not completely untalented in that respect. Keep those suggestions coming. I believe Mecha is going to show us how it's done by someone with formal training in graphic design though. I hope you're all as anxious as I.

  • 01.10.2005 10:56 AM PDT
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Boston Red Sox - World Champs (04'/07')
Boston Celtics - World Champs (2008)
After 22 years another championship flag is up in Boston,
the 17th Title on the 17th of June, 2008

Thats Kick Ass. Nice Job.

Man If That Was A 5D image.....o0o0o0o I could go tell my friends!! woo hoo! lol

Great Wallpaper

  • 01.10.2005 5:05 PM PDT
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Posted by: the_Ender
Thanks for the praise and the suggestions all. As an mechanical engineer, 2D art isn't really my forte. But I do enjoy exploring artistic outlets, and it's nice to see that I'm not completely untalented in that respect. Keep those suggestions coming. I believe Mecha is going to show us how it's done by someone with formal training in graphic design though. I hope you're all as anxious as I.


Don't count on it being done for another week or so. Coming back to work this week means I don't have much time to do anything unfortunately.

  • 01.10.2005 10:20 PM PDT
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I can be patient. Take your time and show off some skills. I love elites, and I bet I'll love them more after your work is finished.

  • 01.11.2005 12:12 AM PDT
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By the way, if you want to have some fun, when you get to the level where the praetor/councilor elites and hunters are held in prison cells and guarded by brutes. Release the elites only, and watch them slice up the brutes like soft cheese. It's entertaining to be certain.

  • 01.12.2005 4:08 PM PDT
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Posted by: impurity
I love Elites but that crap is bright!

My eyes!!!


It was called "Out of the Light." Brightness should have been assumed. =)

  • 01.12.2005 4:25 PM PDT
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yea, the elites look very pixely.
I'd be better if you drew them yourself, when you get good at drawing it looks alot better then in game pics.
but nice try.

  • 01.12.2005 4:31 PM PDT
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I don't know what you're talking about. You expanded the picture to its full size right? It doesn't look "pixely" or "jaggedy".

  • 01.12.2005 4:47 PM PDT
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Darken the background so that we can see the plasma swords, then you can put a glow in covenant purple (the color of their grav lifts) around the elites. Also in glowing purple halo text* at the bottom can be "Demons Beware"

*Halo text- same text that Halo 2 is written in on the cover of the box.

  • 01.13.2005 7:57 AM PDT
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needs something up top

  • 01.13.2005 9:21 AM PDT
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Needs something? Care to suggest something?

I do not like "glowing edges". That would make it look cartoony. It's ok that the swords fade off. I like it that way.

  • 01.13.2005 12:29 PM PDT
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Some people don't check for updates so here's the new stuff: Someone suggested that I draw the praetor elite myself. So, I did. It's only a rough outline, but it's something: elite

  • 01.14.2005 12:10 AM PDT

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