HOME » photoshop tutorials » How To Create a Futuristic Sci-Fi Scene


Tutorial goal:


In this tutorial, I will guide you through the steps to create a futuristic sci-fi scene.
We will transform original pictures using Photoshop tools that will help to give the image a more spectacular look.
Things we'll be working with:
* Image - Adjustments - Curves.
* Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation.
* Dodge and Burn Tools.
* Gradient tool.

We'll also use the following source images:
Hill, thanks to Lelaina, from pxleyes stock.
http://www.pxleyes.com/images/users/L/Lelaina/473/fullsize/4a6f382fc30ff.jpg

Moon, thanks to mymy, from pxleyes stock.
http://www.pxleyes.com/images/users/m/mymy/76/fullsize/4a3b3965bbc5b.jpg

You can download those images, by clicking over the links. Save the images as, we'll work with them.
The images will also be available in the steps, so you can also download them from there.


End result:
How To Create a Futuristic Sci-Fi Scene Final Image

Score: 9.16 / 10
Views: 29383

author:
avatar George55
George55

Credits earned for writing this tutorial:

4000 ($40)


Step 1

This image was created with Aphophysis, a program that renders flames like this. Save the following image, we'll be using it as a background:

Right click the image.
Save Image As.
Give the file a name.
Open this image in Photoshop to start working. Leave the layer's name as "Background".



Step 2

This beautiful picture of the hills, was provided by Lelaina, member of pxleyes.

If you did not download the image, through the link provided above at the beginning of this tutorial, you can do it here, just do the same process you did to download the "Background".

Click over the right side of your mouse.

When window opens.

Save Image As.

Give the file a name.

Open the picture in Photoshop.

Name new layer, "Hill".



Step 3

Select the area shown from the hills.

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V) the selection.

Name new layer, "Hill 2".



Step 4

This is the result of your selection of the hill.

Leave the edge slanted to the right.



Step 5

Colorizing the hill. This step is kind of challenging, but you can do it.

Image - Adjustments - Curves.

Channel RGB.

Input: 110. Output 20.

Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation.

Hue: + 115. Saturation: +10. Lightness: -25.

Back to Curves: Input: 65. Output: 37.

Back to Hue/Saturation.

Hue: + 90. Saturation: +50. Lightness: -22.

Image - Adjustments - Levels.

Channel RGB.

Move the right top arrow, to the left.

Input Levels: 0 - 0.85 - 205.

The Output levels will remain as they are.

Output Levels: 0 - 255.



Step 6

Place the layer, "Hill 2" over the layer, "Background".

Add a flare over the sky.

Filter - Lens Flare.

Flare Center: 45%.

105 mm Prime.



Step 7

This is the picture of the moon that we'll use. Thanks to mymy, member of pxleyes.

If you did not download the image of the moon, from the link provided at the beginning of this tutorial. Do it here.

Click over the image with the right side of your mouse.

When window opens.

Save Image As.

Give the file a name.

Bring the picture into Photoshop. Name new layer, "Moon"



Step 8

Make a selection of the moon.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

Name new layer, "Moon2".

Place the moon at the right top part of the picture. Get rid of the yellowish color, by coloring it.

Image - Adjustments - Curves.

Input: 70. Output: 45.

Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation.

Hue: 200. Saturation: 45.

With moon selected, use the Burn Tool (O), to give a shadow.

Use a 100 soft brush, and an Opacity of 70.



Step 9

Highlight the rocks.

Use the Dodge Tool (O).

Use a soft 100 px brush, with an Opacity of 70%.

Range: Highlights.

White arrows mark the spots to be dodged.



Step 10

Adding shadows to the rocks and grassy areas.

Use the Burn Tool (O).

Use a 100 px soft brush, with an Opacity of 70%.

Range: Shadows.

Careful while burning this areas, marked with arrows. You do not want the image to look to dark.



Step 11

This image of the house with chimneys, and a wheel with observation glassy capsules, was provided by pxleyes for a contest.

This will be our main subject for this tutorial. Download the image the same way you downloaded the other images.

Click over the right side of your mouse.

When window opens.

Save Image As.

Give the file a name.

Bring the file into photoshop to start working.



Step 12

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L), to make a selection of the houses and chimneys. Leave the wheel out for now, but do ot delete the layer, we'll use it later.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V) the selection.

Name new layer, "Chimneys".



Step 13

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) to make the selection of the left chimney.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

Name new layer, "Chimney 1".







Step 14

This will be an important and crucial step, as we'll start building a tower. Follow and read the instructions carefully. These directions are easy to follow, just take the time to read and put your learning in practice.



Step 15

You should have something like this.

As you can see the tower is looking nice.



Step 16

From layer, "Chimneys", use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L), to make a selection of the two remaining chimneys.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

Name new layer, "Chimney 5".



Step 17

In this step we'll be doing more selections using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).

Copy the area from "Chimney 1" that is in the circle.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

Name new layer, "Top of tower".

Bring your copy to the top of "Chimney 4".

Use the Transform Tool (Ctrl + T) to make this copy smaller.

Open layer, "Chimney 5" and place it as shown in picture.

Colorize them.

Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation.

Colorize: Hue: 205. Saturation: 25.

Do some dodging and burning as explained in picture.






Step 18

This is the image you should have now.



Step 19

Open layer, "Chimneys" and select one of the observation glassy capsules, or pods. I selected one, and circled it, but you can select the one you want.

Make your selection.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

Name new layer, "Pod1"



Step 20

Make a copy of layer "Pod 1".

Name new layer, "Pod 2".

Place the pods as shown in picture.

To colorize the pods.

Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation.

Colorize: Hue: 205. Saturation: 25.



Step 21

Make a circular selection of the area circled over "Pod 1".

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

Name new layer, "Light1".

Duplicate layer, "Light 1".

Name new layer, "Light 2".

Those copies of the small highlighted area from "Pod 1", will be placed on top of layer, "Chimney 4".



Step 22

Place the layers "Light 1" and "Light 2", as shown in picture.



Step 23

Let's make the light over "Chimney 4".

To do this, read and follow the directions very carefully.

This step shows you the easy way to do it.



Step 24

Set the layer blending mode for the light to Lighten.

Decrease Opacity to 40%.

You should have something like this.



Step 25

Follow the directions given to you in this step.

This will help you to accomplish your work as I did.

You can start to merge the layers down, if you are happy with the results. We are almost at the end of this tutorial.



Step 26

For this final step, let's make some outside lights.

Read this step, carefully, again.

You'll be happy with the results of this journey.



Step 27

I thank you very much, for following me through these steps in this tutorial.

It is nice to know that people like to try different things using Photoshop. I am happy that we can also share a good tutorial with you, in this way, your learning will be better.

Good luck in your journey through Art.




Share this:



73 Comments

avatar nishagandhi
  • [lvl 11]
  • [rep 175.3]
  • [vp 989]
  • [vote medals 77]:

beautiful result and great tut

(85 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Thank you Nisha...

(85 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

you are a gangster

(84 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

you are a gangster

(84 days ago)
avatar ponti55
  • [lvl 21]
  • [rep 375.802]
  • [vp 435]
  • [vote medals 177]:

I love your tutorials! Well written, steps are clearly laid out.. excellent work!

(84 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 7.4]
  • [vp 878]
  • [vote medals 22]:

nice stache....and tutorial

(84 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Ponti55..thank u.

rrhall...smile..thank you.

(84 days ago)
avatar Alan2641
  • [lvl 8]
  • [rep 32.2]
  • [vp 2258]
  • [vote medals 676]:

well written great techniques

(84 days ago)
avatar madamemonty
  • [lvl 8]
  • [rep 19.2]
  • [vp 3658]
  • [vote medals 676]:

A very well written tutorial George, with a fabulous result.

(84 days ago)
avatar chandershekhar
  • [lvl 2]
  • [rep 14.2]
  • [vp 0]
  • [vote medals 107]:

nice tutorial................

(84 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 7.4]
  • [vp 878]
  • [vote medals 22]:

hope i didn't come off creepy, i just have a fascination with good facial hair.

(84 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

George55,
I followed your tutorial to stage11, where i downloaded image House and chimneys, but in Photoshop i was unabled to open the image as it is not a valid Photoshop Document. Can you please help.
Regards Alun

(83 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

George55,
I followed your tutorial to stage11, where i downloaded image House and chimneys, but in Photoshop i was unabled to open the image as it is not a valid Photoshop Document. Can you please help.
Regards Alun

(83 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Alun: If you Save the image as a .jpg file you can be able to open it in Photoshop.

While working on your Photoshop program go to:

File - Open

Look for the file you downloaded (.jpg)

Bring it to Photoshop, I think you will be able to do it.

Thanks for comment.

George.

(83 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Alun: If you Save the image as a .jpg file you can be able to open it in Photoshop.

While working on your Photoshop program go to:

File - Open

Look for the file you downloaded (.jpg)

Bring it to Photoshop, I think you will be able to do it.

Thanks for comment.

George.

(83 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

it's nic

(83 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

i cant get past stage 1

(83 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

ill just copy and past yours for my project, kay?

(83 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

nice one...

(83 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Guests: Thank you for comments. Yes, just copy and paste the pictures provided for this tutorial, or download them into your files as a .jpg file, bring it into PS and start working!!

Pxeleyes members: I sure thank you for your comments and suggestions that you have given me, through contests. I have learn from you all!!!

(82 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Guests: Thank you for comments. Yes, just copy and paste the pictures provided for this tutorial, or download them into your files as a .jpg file, bring it into PS and start working!!

Pxeleyes members: I sure thank you for your comments and suggestions that you have given me, through contests. I have learn from you all!!!

(82 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

thanx wonderfull little project

(82 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

It was a great tutorial(:

(82 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

brillant.....

(82 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

thanking u r sir .....i learned somthng new with u r effect tutorial

(82 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Very helpful to develop creativity......

(82 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

exelente George55, gracias por este gran tutorial..
desde colombia, seguimos todos tus tutos gracias

(80 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Thanx a LOT!!!)))

(80 days ago)
avatar George55
  • [lvl 20]
  • [rep 69.9]
  • [vp 363]
  • [vote medals 83]:

Amigos de Colombia, gracias por sus comentarios, espero que aprendan mucho de mis "tutorials", se los agradezco de corazon.

(80 days ago)
avatar cool2008
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 0]
  • [vp 0]
  • [vote medals 0]:

What a great tutorial , well written , easy to follow , well done George .

(80 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Great . I like it
thanks man

(79 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 14]
  • [rep 125.5]
  • [vp 3]
  • [vote medals 79]:

WOW George... FANTASTIC

Thanks for such a great tutorial. I have so much to learn and this tutorial will help me in the future.

(79 days ago)
avatar CorneliaMladenova
  • [lvl 27]
  • [rep 144.6]
  • [vp 97]
  • [vote medals 0]:

Another great tutorial from you, George! Congrats!

(79 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Cool work, I'm impressed!

(78 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

veru nice use of flair

(74 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 2]
  • [vp 0]
  • [vote medals 0]:

Beautiful Result!

(73 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

That was amazing Thanks great Tutorial!

(72 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

when I am decoloring the hill it turns out to be blue
pls help

(72 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 0]
  • [vp 0]
  • [vote medals 0]:

Wow that looks amazing and definitely worth trying to follow, will learn some great stuff following it. thanks

(72 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 0.5]
  • [vp 100]
  • [vote medals 0]:

Coolsome!

(70 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Mine didn't turn out quite like yours but it still cool

(67 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

wonderful!

(67 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

awesome tut George

(64 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Gretat tutorial congratulations...
i just learn some new tricks..
thank again...

(59 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Gr8 tutorial....U R the MAN!! really enjoyed this tutorial

(58 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

can you make this tutorial in Camtasia studio and post it on youtube? (Futuristic tutorial)

(56 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

great, great.. I like this tutorial. Perfect!

VioletBreeze
http://violetbreeze.multiply.com

(56 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Hello George. You are a great artist. Andy

(55 days ago)
no avatar
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 0]
  • [vp 100]
  • [vote medals 0]:

Sencillamente ¡¡¡¡GENIAL MAESTRO!!!! Grande George, muy bien, excelente, jejeje estoy emocionado de ver tanta belleza, reciba saludos cordiales desde Lima-Perú y que Diosito me lo bendiga.

Atte: TAtin_1

(54 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Very impressive u really explorer a great future of up coming world Great Work
Thanks a lot

(49 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

great artist..
thanks a lot

(46 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

That's great but making simple
-ZAKIR, Bangladesh

(43 days ago)
avatar Vortex
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep 0.4]
  • [vp 51]
  • [vote medals 9]:

nice, tnx

(41 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

What a gorgeous final image! I've had a quick read through the tutorial and it seems very clearly laid out and easy to follow, so I think I'll go grab a cuppa then sit down to give this one a try. Thank you for your effort in making this for us. Happy New Year!

Li x

(39 days ago)
avatar Loveli
  • [lvl 1]
  • [rep -0.5]
  • [vp 100]
  • [vote medals 0]:

Sorry, the above comment was me, I didn't realise I wasn't logged in. Good start, eh?!

(39 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

THANKS MAN

(38 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Brilliant, Many Thanks

(36 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Awsome

(35 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

super awesome^^

(34 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Really cool tutorial! I like a lot.
thanks

(34 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Excellent! George how long did it take you to do this the first time?

(32 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Oh man thts really OSAM

Wonderful

(32 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

nice man, helped me a lot!!

(31 days ago)
avatar albevolution
  • [lvl 5]
  • [rep 2.2]
  • [vp 0]
  • [vote medals 30]:

the happy end , great men, big idea, i cant see it and in dreams.

(30 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

very nice... it's a perfect idea...

(24 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

just 1 word: Awesome !!

(20 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Thank you George, amazing work.

(13 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Hi George,

I hope you can help....

I am NOT an advanced PS user, but I have seen your work & so I wanted to make the "Futuristic Sci-Fi Scene" with my PS CS4 portable.

As I opened the photos (Background & Landscape) and pressed L -nothing hapened! The cursor still stayed as a hand so I chose the Lasso tool with the mouse, same result. Then I tried other tools too, but none of them seemed to work, the cursor remained as a Hand. Do you have a clue what am I doing wrong? The last time I have used my PS was aprox. 6-7 Months ago and everything was fine. See my creation from back then here: http://tinyurl.com/ybkn2og

I do not have a clue why is it not working now?!

Plase give me some hint if you can.

Thanx a lot Art.

(13 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Thanks !

(10 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

splendid

(7 days ago)
no avatar
Guest:

awesome dude but very time consuming lol

(6 days 18 hr ago)
no avatar
Guest:

Talent, there's nothing like it and you got it. Keep up the good work and thanks for the tutorial.

(2 days 14 hr ago)
no avatar
Guest:

I do not know what I'm doing wrong, but with the numbers given to me, my hill comes out purple, my moon comes out purple and the burn tool is not giving it a shadow and my scene looks nothing like yours as far as color. If you could email me at alkahme@yahoo.com with help that'd be wonderful.

(13 hr 38 min ago)


Comment