How to create fireworks?

[Ishi]

Hello, I still consider myself to be a Paint.NET newbie and I was wondering if anybody knows how to create fireworks.

 

New Year is coming in less than 2 days and I want to create a greeting card for the holiday. Wanna celebrate the New Year, with a big colorful splash of colors on the virtual sky.

 

So far, I have not yet found a way to create the classic firework explosion so can anyone help me or suggest something?

 

Thanks.

[skullbonz]

I'm waiting for TechnoRobbo to make one that does this,lol

[pdnnoob]

Zoom blur comes to mind...

[Ego Eram Reputo]

 

I used Random Shape Fill on a transparent layer for the stars.

 

Duplicated the star layer.

 

Bottom star layer + Trail 3D to create the 'paths'.  Then radial transparent gradient to fade out the edges of the paths.

[Ishi]

Its about time someone publishes a tutorial on this.

[pdnnoob]

~Make an elliptical selection

~Random shape fill with circles, max size 3 and min 1, fill color primary, no outline color

~Duplicate layer

~Zoom blur. I like to use zoom blur twice to make the lines fade on the ends.

~Use rotate/zoom to adjust the dots on the other layer so they rest on the ends of the blurry lines

Make more adjustments as needed.

[Ishi]

That wasn't a bad technique pdnnoob.

 

We'll have to see if we could find something that renders a more realistic firework explosion splatter though.

[Red ochre]

http://i.imgur.com/TiaX3CI.png

 

Any use?

[Ishi]

http://i.imgur.com/TiaX3CI.png

 

Any use?

Those should come in very handy Red ochre.

 

So, how's it done? 

[Red ochre]

I'm useless at explaining but the basic idea is as follows:

1. Background layer - Gradients galore - black to dark blue.
2. new layer on top.
3. Draw some orange lines about 20 px wide - where you want the 'stars'.
4. Run 'Cobweb' - settings approx like this:
http://i.imgur.com/tgvh0ri.png
5. Duplicate layer
6. Adjustments - brightness/contrast - increase brightness.
7. Alpha threshold - increase lo threshold - to make the starts smaller
8. Change the top layer's blendmode to additive and reduce the opacity slightly.
9. Merge these 2 layers.
10. Duplicate layer.
11. Run PointBlur on middle layer with focus fully at the bottom edge and a long blur length ~ 80.
12. Merge stars layer with trail layer.
13. I distorted this layer with my own version of 'squirkle warp', but it should be possible with the version in my pack.
Try these settings:
http://i.imgur.com/6tnOq8F.png
14. Duplicate layer
15. Try using adjustments - Color Balance or Hue/Sat to make it a little redder.
16. use cobweb again.
17. set blend mode to additive.
18. Carry on experimenting - try duplicating a layer and adding a small Gaussian blur to give a glowing effect too.

Hope that gives you some ideas!
 

[Ishi]

Definitely a tutorial to follow.  :Tutorials:

 

Man, you should have published a tutorial on this or ask somebody willing to do so.

 

Best if its a short video tutorial AND to promote your plugin.

 

I'll try that Cobweb.

 

Thanks again.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Ishi

[david.atwell]

Red Ochre - You're definitely NOT useless at explaining.  And if you don't post that as a tutorial, I'm banning you.*

 

*not really, but PLEASE do post it.  

[Red ochre]

My first official warning!

 

Regarding video tutorials - can anyone recommend a good free 'live' screen capture tool for this?

I could use Windows movie maker to animate screen shots I suppose, but 'real-time' would be better.

[Ishi]

My first official warning!

 

Regarding video tutorials - can anyone recommend a good free 'live' screen capture tool for this?

I could use Windows movie maker to animate screen shots I suppose, but 'real-time' would be better.

 

I have used Apowersoft Free Screen Recorder to record my video tutorial for MS Paint months ago.

 

I find it easy to use and saves the captured screen video to a .wmv format that you can then import and edit on Windows Movie Maker which I did. Try it out.

 

Its simple and not a hassle like other screen recording software I used.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Ishi

[HELEN]

Shape Gradient is also a great plugin to use to create the fireworks. I'm still playing around with it and have used Red Ochre's Cobweb plugin (one of my favorites, so far ). 

[TechnoRobbo]

- can anyone recommend a good free 'live' screen capture tool for this?

I use Microsft Expressions, get it while its free. I heard its going away

Edited December 30, 2013 by TechnoRobbo

[Red ochre]

Thanks for the link Ishi - I've installed TR's suggestion - but if it's too complicated (quite likely!), then I will try Apowersoft.

Thanks TR - installed - now I've got to work out how to use it! - and yes I will subject you all to my musical (or not) offerings on the sound track

[TechnoRobbo]

Red,

 

If you installed the screen capture also all you have to do is capture, send it to endcoder and your done. Then you can edit the wmv

 

Edited August 11, 2015 by TechnoRobbo

[Red ochre]

Thanks TR - I've had a successful trial run with it - so not quite as intimidating as it first looked.
Good recommendation.
(MS do like their licensing agreements though - I think I've just signed my soul over!)

[Ishi]

(MS do like their licensing agreements though - I think I've just signed my soul over!)

 

 

 

Installing Microsoft software always mandates you install a LOT of things and components  that you don't really need (example; Windows Live Essentials, MS Office).

Edited December 31, 2013 by Ishi

[TechnoRobbo]

 

 

I'm waiting for TechnoRobbo to make one that does this,lol

Is that a challenge Skull????

 

Here ya go enjoy it's in the Render Menus. Hit CTRL+F a few times and see how you can layer it.

 

The CodeLab Source Code

 http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=7155

 

 

The Plugin

http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=7154

 

A Topic for this plugin was created here : http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/27671-trs-fireworks/#entry402351

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 2015 by TechnoRobbo

[skullbonz]

Wow,you are good and quick. Man if you don't get plugin dude of the year something is wrong. Thank you for this,I will have to go play now and see what I can do.    

[Ishi]

New Year's not only gonna end with a simple boom on this forum.

 

I smell the smoke of an impending showdown between some of the PDN greats in here.

 

So to those who would want to see the show, lets just stay at the side, gaze at the lights and enjoy the spectacle.

[TechnoRobbo]

Thanks for the kudos, but in my humble opinion - I think Red Ochre's Fur Blur is the truly original piece of programming of the year.

[pdnnoob]

That...was impressive. You programmers never cease to amaze me.