Ouroboros' Beginner/Intermediate Morphers Tutorial

[Ouroboros]

This is a tutorial aimed at beginner and intermediate morphers who have some basic experience using photoshop and are comfortable using layers, brushes, and vectors. Be sure to click on the attachments for each step to view them full size!

In this tutorial we will go over techniques to create a morph using just the transform tool, warp tool, and well as layer masks. We'll save other techniques such as utilizing the liquify filter, layer shadow blending, the clone tool, and quick masks for another time.

*Note: This is a repost since the photos from the old tutorial were lost when the server crashed as suggested by Palomine.

Step 1)
Here we have our starting image of Ourei Harada. Since she's already quite busty we don't have to worry about giving her more volume for the purposes of this tutorial.

[Ouroboros]

Step 2)
Utilizing the Marquee tool (Shortcut key: m) we'll drag a selection area from just above the neck to just below the bust. Copy and paste this selection to a new layer (creating layer 2).

[Ouroboros]

Step 3)
Activate layer 2 and decrease the image opacity to around 80%. With layer 2 still active, activate Free Transform (edit->Free Transform) (shortcut key: apple-T).

[Ouroboros]

Step 4)
Adjust the reference point location to the center top (the grid of square boxes) and then turn on the option to maintain the aspect ratio (the chain link icon).

[Ouroboros]

Step 5)
Adjust the scale of the transform to about 118% and commit the transformation by pressing the check box (shortcut key: enter).

[Ouroboros]

Step 6)
Now we will adjust the top of the selection so that the straps of the clothing are aligned. Feel free to adjust the opacity of the layer as needed during this step

Activate Warp Transform (edit->Transform->Warp).

First drag the square block on the top right leftward until the ends of the straps on the shoulder and neck are aligned.

[Ouroboros]

Step 7)
Next, Drag the square block on the right hand side downwards and to the left so that the shoulders of the two layers overlap.

[Ouroboros]

Step 8 ) (Optional)
To add a little bit more fullness to the bust drag the Circular handles on the bottom outwards and slightly down. Commit the transformation by pressing the check box (shortcut key: enter).

[Ouroboros]

Step 9)
Duplicate Layer 2 (Layer ->Duplicate Layer...) and press okay at the dialogue screen. Adjust the opacity of Layer 2 to around 60%. Click on Layer 2 copy, make it active, and make sure it's opacity is set to 90%.

[Ouroboros]

Step 10)
Create a vector mask (Layer->Vector Mask->Hide all). And click on the newly created black sub-layer to the left of the thumbnail of Layer 2 Copy.

[Ouroboros]

Step 11)
Using the Pen Tool (shortcut key: P) trace a rough outline around the portion of the bust that we want to show. Wherever we want a clean gradually sloping cut such as on the bra strap and the underside of the bust pay special attention. Remember it is always better to stay a pixel or two inside the what you want rather than outside.

[Ouroboros]

Step 12)
When you've finished creating your vector outline we'll now focus on further blending using a layer mask.

Create a layer mask (Layer->Layer Mask->Reveal All). With the Layer mask active activate the brush tool and set the hardness to zero (right-click to bring up the brush palette shortcut menu).

Reset your color palette to black and white by pressing d.

In a layer mask, everything painted white will cause it to be shown, and things painted black will be hidden. Note that you won't actually see black or white anywhere except for in the Layer thumbnail. On the actual picture you see the layer being hidden and revealed.

Press x to quickly switch between black and white.

[Ouroboros]

Step 13)
Adjust Layer 2 Copy's opacity to about 80% and begin to hide the misaligned face by painting it with a black brush.

[Ouroboros]

Step 13) (continued)
The result after blending the face and neck.

[Ouroboros]

Step 14)
Adjust Layer 2 Copy's opacity to 100% and focus on blending the clothing and upper chest. Remember, if you make a mistake and hide something you can press X repaint over the mistake and make it appear again.

[Ouroboros]

Step 14) (continued)
On the camera right side before blending.

[Ouroboros]

Step 14) (continued)
On the Camera right side after blending.

[Ouroboros]

Step 15)
After you've finished blending take this opportunity to check for any mistakes. Disable the visibility of your base layer by clicking  and check to see if you've made any mistakes isolating your cut. Here I've made an error and included some skin outside of the bra on the lower camera left breast. By going back to the vector mask sub-layer I can fix this.

[Ouroboros]

Step 15) (continued)
By going back to the Vector mask sub-layer you can fix this. Conversely, if you included to little of the breast you can display more of it.

[Ouroboros]

Step 16)
Slap your logo on it! Make sure it stays classy and doesn't cover the model.

[Ouroboros]

Step 17)
Upload your new morph to the Users Gallery and wait for the good reviews to roll in!

[Ouroboros]

And Finally, the complete morph. Hope you learned something!

[Djoser]

thanks for the repost Ouro....btw that ourei morph is one of my fave morphs ever!.

[YamatoChan]

Thank you for this tutorial. I will try it myself soon.

[Djoser]

Well i hope you do YamatoChan, there's always need of new morphers.

[YamatoChan]

Ouroboros, when you are online, would you mind giving me an easy pic to start with?

[Ouroboros]

thanks for the repost Ouro....btw that ourei morph is one of my fave morphs ever!.

No problem. I'm glad that you still like the morph.

Thank you for this tutorial. I will try it myself soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing the results. I hope that I explained everything clearly.

Ouroboros, when you are online, would you mind giving me an easy pic to start with?

I'll keep an eye out and post something easy for you soon.

[Shara]

Good job Ouro, if this is what taught Yamato

[ROUNDandHEAVY]

nice and simple! I have to admit I have moved away from some of the process outlined in my tutorial since the introduction of the warp tool.

I have also been using the liquefy/healing tool to put in finishing touches, although not without the history brush to fix any warp lines in the background.

[Shara]

I stay the hell away from warptool nowadays XD

[Ouroboros]

nice and simple! I have to admit I have moved away from some of the process outlined in my tutorial since the introduction of the warp tool.

I have also been using the liquefy/healing tool to put in finishing touches, although not without the history brush to fix any warp lines in the background.

Thanks Bob, that means a lot coming from an excellent morpher like you.

I occasionally use the liquify tool but I feel that it looses the texture quality of the picture when you push things too big and just ends up looking cartoonish. Maybe the healing tool addresses that problem but I cannot admit to having much (read that as any) experience with it. I suppose that's something to look into.

[ROUNDandHEAVY]

your right over doing it is bad, which is why I stayed away from it for so long, But i watced someone else use one and they lowered a few settings and were sparing with it, and it was way better than the mesh tool for certain thing, especially healing wierd bulges from extreme warping.

Bob

[3deroticer]

your right over doing it is bad, which is why I stayed away from it for so long, But i watced someone else use one and they lowered a few settings and were sparing with it, and it was way better than the mesh tool for certain thing, especially healing wierd bulges from extreme warping.

Bob

One of the things I have done is use a wide feathered mask on the parts and then use a large size brush for the liquified tool. The feathered part of the mask protect the smoothness of stretching. I learn this when I am making a 3D stereo effect by hand to touch up what my 3D program did not. The less stroke you use to liquified the object, less muddled the texture will be.