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davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 31, 2026

Something for the Weekend – Part 264 – ‘Where there’s smoke…’

  • July 31, 2026
  • 81 replies
  • 304 views

Thanks to all who took part in our previous ‘Fixer Upper’ challenge. As always, there were many interpretations of the image and the brief.

This week, we start out with a simple object. This Victorian pipe can be found in Adobe 3D assets. I made the wrap-around wood materials using Adobe Substance 3D Designer and then added them to the surface using Adobe Substance 3D Painter, before rendering in Blender 3D.
So, now we have our starting image. What can you make with it?

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humour and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

 

To download the starter image, click it then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser).

 

When posting back your image, please use the reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the bottom of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

    81 replies

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    This final poster is reposted here because the reply to this reply was hidden by the forum software
     

    Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    That’s much better with the effects in front of the pipe Jacob, but try having some of the fireworks in front, and some appearing to pass behind the pipe.  That’ll give the appearance of depth.  Can you see how I painted grass strands in front of the spider legs?  Just a fully hard brush with size jitter set to Fade.

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    Thank you very much, Trevor, for your kind words and for your sharing your insight.

     

    I was hard pressed for time when having the first go; and luckily had a triple realization: the need to tell the story (giving clues anyone can look up if desired) and a setting that allows a pipe no one is holding, both (hopefully) made possible with the poster, and the need for depth along with the fourth issue I had already been aware of, namely the reflexions in a large dark space which needed to appear credible or inconspicuous enough to be ignored (I ruled out attempts to get rid of them in favour of trying to hide them in plain sight), both sought amended with as much fire as possible in front of the pipe, including the main flame, which may be seen as (also) extending towards the viewer, and the main sparks at the stem which I can only see as blurred because of nearness and therefore being in front (ruling out their passing behind) like the two topmost one, as opposed to all the sharp sparks which can be close to the plane of the pipe or at a distance behind it.

     

    I know my sense of sight is (a bit or maybe somewhat) different to yours and probably to that of many others

     

     

    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    A nice connection to the character, Ronald.
    Dave

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    The initial spider shape was Gemini, but most of this was illustrated or composited.

     

    BTW  I happened across what might be an undocumented behaviour with Free Transform > Rotate.  We can spin an object on two axis, but there are a lot of situations where you can’t match a scene’s perspective.  I discovered that holding down Alt/Opt and moving the mouse up and down while pressing the left button, effectively pivots the object on the missing axis.

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    Terrifying and super cute, all at the same time!

    Jane

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

                                                            WHAT REALLY GAVE GUY FAWKES AWAY:

                                                                       PICKING THE WRONG POUCH

                                                                      WHILE WAITING IN THE DARK,

                                                         AND STARTING A FIRE AMONG THE BARRELS

     

    Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    Guy Fawkes was born in York, only 50 miles from here, so very appropriate. 😊
    Dave

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2026

    That’s interesting Kevin.  It reminded me of the ‘The map is not the territory’ phrase which I first came across in A.E. Van Vogt’s Null A books.  They were among the very first SciFi books I read 60 odd years ago.  I’m sure I didn’t grasp the meaning of Korzybski’ General Semantics back then.  I just thought that Gilbert Gosseyn was ultra cool.  I only do Audio books now, and while I have World of Null A, I have tried and tried but can’t find Players of Null A on audiobook.

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    Elementary, my dear Watson.

    Dave taking on the role of Moriarty is because he is fiendishly clever, and most definitely not because he is a fiendish villain.  The background started as an illustration from the 1880s because with limited actual photos from that time, Gemini was making it up and it looked a bit crap.  Gemini cleaned up, refocused, and colorized the background.  Sherlock, Maisie and Moriarty were lifted from a separate Gemini render.

    Christelle RD
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    Oh, a Journey Back to the Time of Sherlock Holmes, Gemini did a good job!
    Maisie looks just as adorable in her cap as Dave is unsettling in the role of Moriarty.

    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    Was looking for smoke that was more subliminal in appearance, but I guess this works.

     

    Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
    Known Participant
    July 31, 2026

    Very nice. Great idea.

    Known Participant
    July 31, 2026

    Very clever, this is awesome.

    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    Thought it'd be fun to bring a little Shark Week energy! A little Firefly magic with a sprinkle of Photoshop. 🦈🎨

    Known Participant
    July 31, 2026

    Very clever, this is awesome!

    GeekyGirlRex7295714
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026
    My Grandpa’s Imagination

     

    Writer | Developer | Facilitator | Geek!
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    That's actually pretty cool very imaginative

    GeekyGirlRex7295714
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 31, 2026

    Thanks, Nick! That pipe SO reminded me of my grandpa I could practically smell the apple-scented smoke.

    Writer | Developer | Facilitator | Geek!