Thread: November Entry: Pocketwatch

That is a great idea ! Maybe a couple of details could make it better, though (I think...).

- Did you intentionally left the original background ? If yes, keep it that way but I wonder if another background wouldn't fit better (maybe a simple black bg, or another picture that would emphasize the steampunk look of the whole thing)...

- I think the hands themselves could use a bit more substance. Maybe a "Bevel and Emboss" layer style if you are using PhotoShop... I think it would really help for the realism.

Anyway, great job. Hope my ideas can help...

Brilliant...maybe an animated gif?

Originally Posted by Korrigan

- Did you intentionally left the original background ? If yes, keep it that way but I wonder if another background wouldn't fit better (maybe a simple black bg, or another picture that would emphasize the steampunk look of the whole thing)...

The background was semi-intentional... I'm worried a background would remove the focus from the subject of the image though: the map. I'll experiment though... maybe something basic like a coridor with copper piping.

Originally Posted by Korrigan

- I think the hands themselves could use a bit more substance. Maybe a "Bevel and Emboss" layer style if you are using PhotoShop... I think it would really help for the realism.

Ah, good thinking, I'll add that in. Still new to the whole Photoshop world, especially since I usually do my stuff by hand. I know what I want to do to the image, i just don't always know how.

Originally Posted by ravells

Brilliant...maybe an animated gif?

The problem with a gif is the size of the image... I'm also not sure of the difficulty involved. But once I finish the look, I'll see what animating would entail.

This is another super cool idea...lovin it. I would add a background for the watch face sort of like the Ystraad map but with a brushed metal texture...like a bronze. Then put in a drop shadow of the planets and hands to make them stand up from the face. Lookin sweet so far.

Originally Posted by Darken

The background was semi-intentional... I'm worried a background would remove the focus from the subject of the image though: the map. I'll experiment though... maybe something basic like a coridor with copper piping.

I'd say use the graphic basics : use color and/or saturation contrast and direction to put the focus where you want it to be. e.g. if you use a black and white background, your watch will naturally be the main element.

Originally Posted by Darken

Ah, good thinking, I'll add that in. Still new to the whole Photoshop world, especially since I usually do my stuff by hand. I know what I want to do to the image, i just don't always know how.

Lots of tutorials here and anywhere on the web. If you need some help with a specific question, I guess me and some other can help (I'm not that good at mapping but I definitely can use Photoshop )

I'm trying to learn some basics for 3D studio max in time to try making this in 3D, but I likely won't finish (again ).

maybe I'll be ready by next month?

Whoooo-hoooo ! I think it takes more than a few days to learn such basics in 3DSMax

I think to add some more interest and make the pocket watch even more useful for charting a flight path perhaps you could add in some orbit rings like the attached, and maybe put some sort of coordinates around the outside of the "face".

Originally Posted by RPMiller

I think to add some more interest and make the pocket watch even more useful for charting a flight path perhaps you could add in some orbit rings like the attached, and maybe put some sort of coordinates around the outside of the "face".

ah, but the problem with the elliptical orbits is that the hands would have to somehow change size

for those interested though, I'm coming along with my 3DS Max learning: attached are 2 early renders.

1. The glass is too refractive (bends the light too much); you can see this especially in render2. It should appear as a glass cover over the faceplate, but it is instead acting as a lens... I may have to turn refraction off completely at the loss of some realism.
2. I'm trying out gems, but I may use a more literal representation of the planets.
3. Things to finish modeling: clock hands, knob, chain, cover, (faceplate background?, scene background?, additional details?)

[P.S.: Odd the black backgrounds of the PNGs are instead transparent... oh well ]