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When it comes to creative image design, Adobe Photoshop is one of the best graphics applications available in the world today.  That is not to say, however, that it cannot be improved via the use of nifty add-in filters and tools.  This tutorial details the usage of one such plug-in, Sinedots, and shows how you can use the power of mathematics to create some pretty darned nifty abstract graphics - useful for forum signatures and psychedelic imagery.

NOTE:  Before you can proceed any further with this tutorial you need to download the Sinedots plug-in (NOT the Sinedots-II plug-in, also at the same URL, although you are free to do so later).  Its totally free, and all you need to do to install it is download & pop the files in the archive into the /Adobe Photoshop/Plug-Ins/ directory and restart Photoshop.   The archive also contains a TXT file with installation instructions if this is too complex for you.

Step 1: Create a blank document of any size with a single background layer (650px by 650px is a good starting size).  Edit > Fill this layer  with a solid blue color (I chose R:24/G:100/B:162), and Layer > Duplicate it once. Use the layer palette to select the duplicate layer.

Step 2: Load up your newly added Sinedots plug-in via Filter > DragonFly > Sinedots and play with the settings at your leisure.  Just remember that the Inverse option needs to be DESELECTED!   If you are interested, these are the settings I used... although I highly encourage you to play around! Step 3: Press OK to render your changes.  After a little processing you should be left with a cool swirl!   We can, however, make it better!   To do this, set your layer blending mode to Lighten. Create a new layer on top of all the others and Edit > Fill it with our blue color chosen in step 1.  Load up Filter > DragonFly > Sinedots once again and play with the settings at your leisure.   Remember that the Inverse button MUST be deselected.   After applying your filter, change the layer blending mode to Lighten to blend it with the results of step 2.

Step 4: We are almost done!   Merge your layers together via Layer > Merge Visible.  Duplicate the single layer result and set the duplicate's blending mode to Color Burn with an opacity around 35%. Duplicate this duplicated layer and reset the second duplicate's opacity to 100%.

Step 5: Yes... lots of layers!   Don't worry, though, as we can get rid of them shortly.  In the meantime, however, duplicate the top-layer and set the duplicate's blending mode to Multiply. Create new blank layer (ctrl+shift+n) on top of all the other layers and Edit > Fill it with your blue color from step 1.  Set the blending mode to Color and voila - one funky abstract with interesting light effects.   Don't forget that you can further enhance the clarity of the effect by flattening all the layers again and using Edit > Adjustments > Brightness / Contrast... although I will leave this step entirely up to you. I hope that you have understood this tutorial and had fun!   Sinedots is a very flexible filter and capable of creating very intricate effects with little effort.  Just play around and be amazed at what you create!

- Tutorial written by Beethoven

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