Classics Prime vs Encore Skywarp (done with GIMP)
 

Classics Prime meets Encore Skywarp;

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...sencorebig.jpg

What I attempted here is to make Skywarp look like he'd just warped, and Prime was taken by surprise.
(I pulled the background picture from google image search a while back, and I edited it to match the toys.)

As you see it doesn't look much like that, but I couldn't think of a better or easier way. I am still a GIMP novice, and still learning how it works.
If anyone could give me advice it'll be appreciated :)

Actually, that's exactly what it looks like to me.

Good job for a first attempt!

very cool syd.

heres a suggestion for alternative warp effects: swirl/spiral the background immediately behind skywarp, like its being distorted.

Thank you :)

I never thought of that, see how dumb I am.

Just quick edits, what do you think?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ukacropped.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...pagaincrop.jpg

I am also posting this in the Cool Stuff at TFW, looks like some other people are doing/thinking of doing warps as well :D

Nice work, Syd!

I like the second effect better, as it looks like he's coming back into normal space at speed. The first effects shot looks more like something that would happen while he was stationary or in robot mode.

yeah, the 2nd ones better.

use the pinch/spiral/swirl on the background.

use distortion on skywarps, er, plane butt.

Thanks again, guys!

How's this?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ncropswirl.jpg

Here are a couple of half done pictures;

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...WIPwConvoy.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...arpoutsmal.jpg

hey syd, i tried out my own version, see if this gives you ideas.

(i used photoshop tho, but i avoided using filters, hopefully gimp has equivalent commands.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/kae_ae/SYD.jpg

- the background and subject are on separate layers
- background: i used the smudge at 50% tool to create the swirl effect
- subject: again, smudge at 50% using a finer brush (i used soft edge brush for both)

i also added additional layers in between the background/subject. a layer for the black coloured swirl and white coloured flash. both were made by dropping a large, soft brush and using smudge to refine the edges. in hindsight i couldve used a purple colour for the black swirl, and i think there should be some effects around the outer edge of the spiral but i cant put my finger on it.

Ooh, that's awesome! The background looks perfect :) I couldn't distort the real background like that.
(I hope you weren't like, "Damn you idiot, that's not what I'm telling you to do...grrr I'll do it myself and show you exactly how!", lol)

I have tried using smudge, but I still can't use it like I want to. (Same with paintbrush. Reckon not being able to draw shows in even such small stuff, eh.)

As for layers, I tend to add unnecessarily many layers. I had 3 or 4 layers to show SW gradually disappearing (as in the second one with white bg), until I realised that I can just use eraser with varying strength. Still have lots to figure out.

haha

yeah, using the brush/smudge tool needs getting used to. photoshop has 3rd party filters that produce specifically swirl/pinch/spiral effects but its fun to create your own. I know how it is trying to get the effect perfect and ending up with lots of redundant layers. the trick is to maximize results with minimum steps, its all about getting the hang of the program.

also, its normal for different guys to come up similar result but using different techniques. thats where personalization comes in.

Finding more about the eraser tool was probably the greatest gain in this project. This will save me some layners in the future, heh.

I might try another warp out picture one day, but for now, this is it. Thank you again, kaeae, and everyone who took a look :)

Pretty cool, man!

Wow SydneyY that's awesome

cool'mon keep it up.

Thanks, guys :)