That 'glossy' effect

[KingOIII]

So for months (literally) I've been trying to add that 'glossy' effect to my signatures/etc.

However I always come to this;

Which really upsets me, because I see no way of anti-aliasing that.

Am I doing something wrong? What are some other ways to add the gloss effect?

[Myrddin]

When you come to draw anything that needs anti-aliased lines, then do make sure you have Anti-Aliasing active:

:AntiAliasingOff: - Anti-Aliasing off;

:AntiAliasingOn: - Anti-Aliasing on.

You can see where these are located in Paint.NET here:

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/Toolbar.html.

I would suggest to just re-draw that shine.

If, however, you feel the need to anti-alias an aliased line, then use Search (http://www.searchpaint.net) to look for the plugins Anti-Alias, Basic Anti-Alias and Feather, as these, to a certain degree, help to reduce this. Try them all out and see which works best for the circumstance you need it for.

Search can also be used to find answers to these kind of problems, too .

Does this help?

[KingOIII]

I created the shine by using the shpere select above the image, then using gradient>transparent colours.

I didn't draw it; what do you mean by that?

[Myrddin]

Well, there are two ways that can be used for that shine - the way you just described, and my preferred way:

Your method (slightly modified):

- instead of using an elliptical selection, use the Ellipse Shape Tool ( ) on a new layer positioning where you want it, and in what colour you want it (don't forget to enable AA :AntiAliasingOn: ). This may take some tinkering;

- one the same layer, use the Gradient Tool in Transparency Mode (from this: :AllColorChannels: to this: :AlphaChannel:) and draw your gradient across. When you come to apply it, it will become apparent what it does and how to do it.

My preferred method (not necessarily the right method, mind):

- on a new layer as always, use the Line / Curve Tool ( :LineCurveTool: ) in the colour of your shine to draw from one top corner to the other, then adjust the nubs to give it the curve. Again, this will be apparent when you try this.

• - if you use the right mouse button, instead of the left, to manipulate the nubs, you can achieve a Bezier Curve, which is a much smoother curve than a regular one. This is optional but still try it out, anyway.

- fill the space in, where your shine will be, with the Paint Bucket ( :PaintBucketTool: ) and a high tolerance (http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/T ... #Tolerance) - between 50% and 60% should be enough;

- you can either lower the opacity of the layer (Layers > Layer Properties) or use the above method of gradation to achieve the gloss effect.

Both the above techniques allow an anti-aliased shine for your userbar, faux-metal or other works which require a reflection.

Does this help?

[thebiggfella]

Nice one. I'd been wondering how that effect was achieved but hadn't got round to asking about it. Now I know!

[salu]

would smooth work?

[Myrddin]

I have not applied that plugin for this effect before, maybe you could try it and post your conclusions.

[salu]

hmm.. i did actually.. i used it on the chinese new year sig thing

edit: can you see it?

[Myrddin]

I do.

KingOIII, you now have a third way to try, the Smooth Plugin. The particulars of which would be better explained by salu. Does any of this help you? And are you still unsure of anything?

[KingOIII]

Where do I find the smooth effect? Can't see it in the plugins forums..

[kirby145]

Um, months?

Seriously, you're kidding right?

[david.atwell]

Please keep mean, off-topic posts to yourself. Thank you. :-)

[Myrddin]

Where do I find the smooth effect? Can't see it in the plugins forums..

http://paintdotnet.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=21143&

[kirby145]

Please keep mean, off-topic posts to yourself. Thank you. :-)

I was just joking, it's ok if it takes that long but he should have just asked for help sooner

[david.atwell]

I agree that he should have asked for help sooner, but I admire his tenacity. Either way, try to keep off-topic posts to yourself, especially when your post contains nothing pertinent to the question.. Thank you! :-D

[KingOIII]

Um, months?

Seriously, you're kidding right?

Yes, months.

[Simon Brown]

My best advice is to click here and follow the second tutorial, it is for a button but should show you how to achieve the glossy effect.