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davescm
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Jan 31, 2025 11:07 AM UTC
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Something for the Weekend - Part 233 - The Vital Spark!

Hi,
There were some great entries to our Fulling Mill challenge, thanks to everyone who took the time to create and post them.

 

This week we start with an object, and an apology to writer Neil Munro for using his puffer steamboat's title this week. Those familiar with petrol (gasoline) engines will recognise the object as a spark plug. Those with electric or diesel engines will have to use your imagination. So we have our starting object, what can you turn it into?

 

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”.
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor 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, hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right. 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). It is in png format with a transparent background so the cutting out is already done for you.

 

 

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

 

Have fun!

 

Dave

142 replies

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
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Feb 2, 2025 6:36 PM UTC

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davescm
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Feb 2, 2025 6:50 PM UTC

Very clever! I want one of those here. I'm not sure what my wife would say though, actually I am pretty sure....  🙂

Dave

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Brad @ Roaring Mouse
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Feb 2, 2025 7:23 PM UTC

That would be an awesome mancave for someone, fer shure

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Yss12345
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Feb 2, 2025 6:27 PM UTC

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davescm
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Feb 2, 2025 6:51 PM UTC

Wait until he plugs in to Trevor's 40KV spark system!

Dave

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@mj
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Feb 18, 2025 11:53 AM UTC

hahaha. Bright spark!

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JR Boulay
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Feb 2, 2025 12:14 PM UTC

SPARK X

 

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Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
davescm
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Feb 2, 2025 6:52 PM UTC

Now that's a good looking rocket! Nicely done JR

Dave

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Trevor.Dennis
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Feb 2, 2025 9:41 AM UTC

       

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Monika Gause
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Feb 2, 2025 9:50 AM UTC

This is the first infographic I'm seeing in SFTW. Love it!

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Greg_S.
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Feb 2, 2025 6:45 AM UTC

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davescm
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Feb 2, 2025 10:25 AM UTC

Now that's an original use of the spark plug. It works well.

Dave

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Trevor.Dennis
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Feb 2, 2025 6:30 AM UTC

This started as 50% Frankenstein head I found with Google, and 50% my Dave head graphic, but there does not appear to much left of the Dave head 😞 

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davescm
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Feb 2, 2025 10:26 AM UTC

Just in for a quick recharge, I'll be good as new shortly! 🙂

Dave

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jane-e
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Feb 1, 2025 10:40 PM UTC

Marie Kondo's famous question:

 

Nice render, @davescm, I love it!

 

Jane

 

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davescm
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Feb 2, 2025 10:28 AM UTC

Thank you Jane.
That is a nice image. I am imagining the next image though, when the cat grabs the top of the plug and reacts like Trevor's collegue 'Five Star' !  🙂

Dave

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Monika Gause
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Feb 1, 2025 2:35 PM UTC

Doing this in Illustrator would have been the faster method, but I played by the rules

 

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davescm
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Feb 1, 2025 4:10 PM UTC

I like it. Illustrator is allowed and welcome here, Monika. As long as at least part of the starter image is used then the application you use to create your entry is entirely up to you.

Dave

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Monika Gause
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Feb 1, 2025 4:24 PM UTC

Thank you, Dave.

 

Of course this is a reference to Ludwig Hohlwein, who first advanced German poster art and then later used his craft for the wrong cause.

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Trevor.Dennis
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Feb 1, 2025 4:34 AM UTC

I'm guessing this is a render Dave?  It's beyond impressive if it is.  I especially like the satin texture of the nickel plating.

 

We used to have three engine fitters who worked next to the lab I work in, and one of them was stuck with the name Five Star after insisting that his Triumph TR7 would only run with five star fuel. (This dates it to pre-1978).  It was about this time that engine ignition systems changed from 20KV coils to 40KV coils — you _really_ didn't want to get a shock from the new systems!  Unfortunately, young Five Star did exactly that one day, and it wouldn't let him go, and I am ashamed to say that people were too busy rolling with laughter to switch the engine off.  

 

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davescm
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Feb 1, 2025 4:06 PM UTC

I love the sparks Trevor, and the story of five star. Let's face it though, if we've worked on engines for long enough, we've all done it! 🙂

 

Thanks, the spark plug is a render. I modelled it in Blender 3D, textured it in Adobe Substance Painter, then took it back to Blender for rendering before finishing and exporting the image for SFTW in Photoshop.

 

Dave

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Feb 1, 2025 12:53 AM UTC

Notice a small rennovation to the Fulling Mill?

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Jacob Bugge
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Feb 1, 2025 10:35 AM UTC

Impressive flue liners, Dean, and no risk of fire there.

 

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