Creating a DVD or CD effect

I want to create an image of the backside of a DVD or CD. I have tried scanning a CD in a scanner but got an undesirable image.

Does anyone have a good tutorial on how to achieve the radial spectrum effect you see when you look at the back of a CD?

Thanks

Sincerely,

Stuart Pedazzo...but you can call me Stu!

"Stuart Pedazzo" wrote

I want to create an image of the backside of a DVD or CD. I have tried scanning a CD in a scanner but got an undesirable image.
Does anyone have a good tutorial on how to achieve the radial spectrum effect you see when you look at the back of a CD?

You've got all the pieces. Here's how to get the effect.

1) create a square image whose dimensions match the diameter of your final CD
2) lay down a horizontal gradient, with each color repeated twice. I did this using two repetitions of the spectrum gradient
3) white out the upper 1/6 or so of the square. This will form the circle in the center of the CD
4) apply Filter>Distort>Polar Coordinates, with the rectangular to polar coordinates selected

This will get your circular CD effect. You may want to refine things by defining your own gradient - typically the cyan or neutral band of the gradient is much larger than the others. Make the center hole more accurate by adding a couple of horizontal lines. Add a new layer in lighten mode with a radially distorted white patch to simulate a reflection. Create a fine horizontal texture by transforming a 1 pixel wide column of white noise, distort, and add that as a darken layer between the gradient layer and the reflection.
--

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:48:24 GMT, "Mike Russell" wrote:

Thank you!! This is what I was looking for! Also thank you for giving a straight answer. It is refreshing in Usenet.

I am having a little trouble understanding one part of your answer though. Could you expand abit on this step:

Create a fine horizontal texture by transforming a 1 pixel wide column of white noise, distort, and add that as a darken layer between the gradient layer and the reflection.

Thanks again!
Sincerely,

Stuart Pedazzo...but you can call me Stu!

"Stuart Pedazzo" wrote:

Thank you!! This is what I was looking for! Also thank you for giving a straight answer. It is refreshing in Usenet.

Glad it was what you were after!

I am having a little trouble understanding one part of your answer though. Could you expand abit on this step:

Create a fine horizontal texture by transforming a 1 pixel wide column of white noise, distort, and add that as a darken layer between the gradient layer and the reflection.

Sure - select a rectangular area one pixel by the height of your image. Add noise, and use free transform to stretch it to the full width of the image. This creates a brushed chrome texture. Distorting that pattern using Polar Coordinates will give you a look that resembles the tracks of a CD --

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 15:46:38 GMT, "Mike Russell" wrote:

"Stuart Pedazzo" wrote:

Thank you!! This is what I was looking for! Also thank you for giving a straight answer. It is refreshing in Usenet.

Glad it was what you were after!

I am having a little trouble understanding one part of your answer though. Could you expand abit on this step:

Create a fine horizontal texture by transforming a 1 pixel wide column of white noise, distort, and add that as a darken layer between the gradient layer and the reflection.

Sure - select a rectangular area one pixel by the height of your image. Add noise, and use free transform to stretch it to the full width of the image. This creates a brushed chrome texture. Distorting that pattern using Polar Coordinates will give you a look that resembles the tracks of a CD

OUTSTANDING!!! Stretching it the width of the canvas was the part I was missing. You are an asset to Usenet, Mike! Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Stuart Pedazzo...but you can call me Stu!