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davescm
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Aug 15, 2025 9:06 AM UTC
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 247 - The finest cut!

Hi,
Thanks to all who took part in our previous 'Holding Pattern' challenge.

 

For our new challenge we start with a simple object, a pizza cutter, which I quickly modelled in 3D and textured in Substance Painter. You could use it to make an image cutting a pizza or put it to a new use entirely. The only limitation is your imagination.

When you post your response can you add just a few words on how you went about it. It may help others see the potential of different approaches, software, and tools to such a challenge.

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 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 set against a transparent background so there is no initial cutting out required.

 

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

175 replies

fbeaume
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Aug 17, 2025 10:43 PM UTC

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Christelle RD
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Aug 18, 2025 10:11 AM UTC

Amazing retro vibe Frank!
Love the concept, perfect 👌

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fbeaume
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Aug 20, 2025 1:11 AM UTC

Thanks Christelle!

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Jacob Bugge
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Aug 17, 2025 8:48 PM UTC

 

                The must have tool set to keep the workshop going

 

 

Click to get closer

 

 

After cleaning it was just hung up again.

 

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davescm
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Aug 18, 2025 2:39 PM UTC

I remember modelling that workshop, Jacob. It took a while, so it's good to have pizza to keep things going 🙂
Dave

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AlanGilbertson
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Aug 16, 2025 10:55 PM UTC

Started by rotating the tool to a more practical angle, then GenMade a closeup of a freshly cooked pizza as background. Expanded the image via the crop tool and GenFill to get enough canvas to work with while maintaining good image quality.

 

Squeak (via FLUX.1 Kontext and a script by @Rob de Winter that I'm testing) and Whiskers (via GenFill) came next, just for fun. Modifying the handle and adding the chef's hand required GenFill followed by an edit with FLUX Kontext where the prompt was literally just, "make the fingers look more realistic." The wheel had to reflect its surroundings (GenFill), but because the metal isn't polished I used a Radial Blur filter to give it the right look. Added the shadows on their own layers (the one on the wheel is from a layer in Overlay mode filled with 50% grey and "burned").

 

Final step was the usual Color Lookup layer to pull everything together, then I cropped it to 5x7 ratio and exported.

 

(The PSD after cropping is ~5600 x 4000 px, so I exported at half size for posting.)

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Community Expert
Aug 17, 2025 7:35 AM UTC

So nice @AlanGilbertson! And, a fun challenge too @davescm ! 

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AlanGilbertson
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Aug 21, 2025 1:45 AM UTC

That script got some exercise here, too, in the new cross-product challenge.

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Christelle RD
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Aug 16, 2025 9:45 PM UTC

 

It always has something to do with a wheel 😁

 

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AlanGilbertson
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Aug 16, 2025 11:10 PM UTC

Lovely polished product, as always.

 

Like a circle in a spiral, a wheel within a wheel., never ending or beginning on an ever-spinning reel . . .  (One of the best circle-of-fifths songs ever written, still awesome almost 60 years later, from the real Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, not the copycat remake.) (I'm slightly horrified to realize I saw that movie when it came out, and I wasn't underage for the rating.)

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Christelle RD
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Aug 17, 2025 12:01 PM UTC

Thank you Allan!
Oh yes, I know that song, and I think I've seen that movie. Great reference 😊
I love the style of those years ...

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@mj
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Aug 16, 2025 10:48 AM UTC

that was fun indeed. tnx @davescm for the challenge!

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davescm
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Aug 16, 2025 1:18 PM UTC

That is funny, mj. I like the creatures on the front. It looks like transport may be another theme this week. 🙂
Dave

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Suzanne Mathia
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Aug 16, 2025 12:44 AM UTC

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.....Suzanne Mathia
davescm
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Aug 16, 2025 9:08 AM UTC

I like the style and colouring in this, Suzanne. The foreground illustration works well with the background.

Dave

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jane-e
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Aug 15, 2025 9:39 PM UTC

Pizza man!

Jane

 

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davescm
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Aug 16, 2025 9:05 AM UTC

Nice one Jane. He looks sharp!

Dave

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Greg_S.
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Aug 15, 2025 7:07 PM UTC

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davescm
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Aug 16, 2025 9:04 AM UTC

Haha, I love it. Full of character, thanks for getting us started Greg.

Dave

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jane-e
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Aug 15, 2025 11:14 AM UTC

Thanks for another fun challenge, Dave, and also for the transparency! I love this render!

 

Is it only me that has a sudden craving for pizza?

 

Jane

 

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