How to make "3D' objects, and detailed wire frames in Photoshop.     If you're like me, and cannot function in a 3D application to save      your life, but like the idea of using "3D" objects, this tut's for you!

NOTE:  The 3d Transform filter is not in Photoshop CS.  It is on the CD, and you can install it, and it will work, but for
some reason, they didn't put it in there.  If you don't have the CD, or are lazy, I have it for you to download.
PC
Mac
Just drop it in your \program files\Adobe\Photoshop CS\Plug-ins\Filters folder, and start Photoshop.

Step 1.    Create a new Image (size doesn’t matter ;-)
                I used an image with these stats:  1000x1000 300dpi.

Step 2.    Create a new layer (shift + ctrl + n), this will be called “Layer 1”

Step 3.    Go to >Filter > Render > 3d Transform… and using 
               the cylinder tool (c), draw a cylinder.  See “Figure A.”

Figure A.



Step 4.    Using the Add Anchor Point (+) tool 
               Add a number of points down the right side of your cylinder.  See “Figure B.

Figure B.

 

Step 5.    Using the Direct Selection tool (A)
               drag the anchor point you placed to turn your cylinder 
               into any shape that pleases you.  See “Figure C.”

Figure C.

Step 6.    Now, using the Trackball tool (R), 
               click and drag on your object to turn it (this step is vital, 
               if you don’t turn the object, it will be invisible when rendered).
              The track ball can be tricky to use, but just keep turning until 
              your object is in full view.
               
              Before you click “okay”, click the ‘Options’ Button, and
              make sure your settings are:
              Resolution: High
              Anti-Aliasing: High
             Click ‘Okay’ Twice to get out of settings, and the 
             3d Transform tool.  Figure D.

Figure D.


           Congratulations, now you have a 3D looking 2D object
           on Layer 1.  Personally, I think that in and of itself is
           cool, but I really like wire frames, so let’s take it a
           couple steps further.

Step 7.    Make a duplicate copy of Layer 1. (In the layers palette,
               drag Layer1 to the ‘Create New Layer Icon’ .

Step 8.    Set the blending mode for the new layer to “Multiply”,
               and then merge the two layers, (CTRL+E) 
               (Layer 1 copy, and Layer 1).  As you can tell, this 
               darkened our object a bit which will help the next step
               delineate the lines of our wire frame a bit better.

Step 9.    < Filter < Stylize < Find Edges.   There’s your wire frame!

Step 10.    To bring out the lines a bit further, you may want to do a
                 <Filter < Sharpen < Unsharp Mask.  I used the settings of:
                Amount:90
                Radius 2.0
                Threshold: 0

There you have it!  You can see a lot more detail at higher resolutions than this example shows. Optional Steps:   I created a couple new layers, and followed the same steps outlined above to add a few more elements to the object to make it a little more dynamic.    If this tutorial was confusing in anyway, or did not work out for you feel free to contact me.  tom@tomledin.com © tomledin.com