The wings on the Dragonfly model are decorated with an organic filligree pattern. This quick walk through shows how I created the pattern. I started with the wing outlines created in Illustrator. 


I added a couple of thick lines to the top half of the wings. 


Working on one wing at a time. I selected the wing and copied it into the clipboard.


I cracked open PhotoShop and created a blank document roughly 1000 pixels by 400 pixels. I pasted the wing into place and resized it to fit the document.   


Okay. A couple of steps here. First, I flattened the image so that everything was on one layer.

Next, with the Magic Wand Tool, I selected the top white area of the wing. You can just make out the marching ants in the picture.

Third, I created a new blank layer and filled it with white while the section was still active

Finally, I selected the Filter -> Texture -> Stained Glass tool. I choose an appropriate cell size and border width using a background colour of white and a foreground colour of black. 


I repeated this process with the lower half of the wing. 

I then flattened the image.


Back to Illustrator, I dropped the image from PhotoShop into Illustrator. At this point I could have stopped, and dragged the image behind the outline.


Because I wanted the file to be compact for downloads I needed to convert the lines into vector format.

I selected the image and clicked on Live Trace -> Make and Expand 


This traces round the image making it into a vector based picture. This makes a more compact file.


I then ungrouped the image, selected the black part and dragged it away from the white background. I deleted the background.


Now with the filigree texture selected I lightened the colour and gave it a bluish tinge.


I copied the right hand wing and flipped it before placing it on the picture behind the wing outline. I repeated the process with the lower wings to complete the design. Ta daa!  


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Comments

Saturday 9th Apr 2011 15:49

hugo leandro

Dear Rob,

 

Thanks for your post. Your tutorials are always clear and nice. Hope you continue posting this kind of information. All the best,

Hugo.

Saturday 9th Apr 2011 18:39

robives

robives's picture

Thanks Hugo! I'm glad it was useful.

Sunday 10th Apr 2011 06:51

Nobledesign

Nobledesign's picture

Klev-var! Very cleverly done, Rob!

 

PS: I *may* have hooked an eight year old on paper model making today! woo hoo! I gave her one of Paul's to try out and if she likes it, well, let's just say I'm glad I'm a subscriber!

Time for me to re-up? How can I tell?