• Mod Installation Tutorial
• Facial Glow Mapping FAQ, Techniques, and Tutorial

Q. Could you provide a tutorial in glow mapping a face?

That's why I'm here...I just thought I might throw in some questions and answer's while I'm at it!

You may download the PSDs, meshes, and textures used in this tutorial if you so wish!

First, let's assume we already have our face texture created. For example purposes, I will use one from my Flower Fae work in progress.. Here's a jpeg example of the face:

Step 1:

Create a new layer on your face texture by clicking the Create New Layer button under the Layer's tab. If you're unsure where to do this. the button is highlighted in this screen capture:

Your original face texture is the background layer. You may rename it, or leave it as it is. Your new layer will be titled Layer 1 by default. Before modifying this new layer, I recommend saving a copy of your face texture.

Note: You may add this new layer to create the glow map at any time while working on the face. It does not matter if you have 50 layers with various parts. Just make sure this new layer is at the top of your layer list.

You may choose to rename this layer if you wish, but it's not required. If you're following along with the PSD files here's how I have renamed it. Right click on Layer 1 under the layer's tab. Select "Layer Properties". For example purposes I have named this layer "Glow Map"

Step 2:

Select the Paint Bucket Tool. If you're unsure of which tool this is it is shown in this screen capture:

Now go to "Set Foreground Color". This tool is located here:

(Click to Open in New Window)

Click on this to open up the color pallette (aka Color Picker). You may drag the selection tool down to the lower most left hand corner, or you may type in 000000. Here is what this should look like:

Now when we use the Paint Bucket Tool it will use this black color!

Step 3:

With the Paint Bucket Tool selected, click on Layer 1 which for example purposes we will now refer to as "Glow Map Layer". This will fill your glow map layer with the selected color. Your glow map layer will now look like this:

Step 4:

Now go to the Layer's tab. Click on Glow Map Layer. At the top of the Layer Tab are sliders to set layer transparency. Slide this over to about 50%

Here's an example showing what your texture and slider will look like:

Step 5:

Now select the Eraser Tool

Now go to your Brush Options at the bottom of the photoshop upper tool bar. Select a round brush that is equal to the size of the pupils (or smaller if you wish to only glow map a section of the pupils) I recommend a soft edged brush. The size of the brush may be adjusted here using the slider under the brush, or a number may be entered in.

For this example, select the soft edged 27 pixel round brush shown. Enter in 25 in the number box as shown.

Select the opacity to your desired amount of glow. Remember, the more color on the glow map the more it will glow. I usually use 50% for a slight glow. You may change the opacity of the brush in the brush tool bar as shown below:

(Click to Open in New Window)

Step 6:

Now center the brush over the pupils and left click. Your texture will now look like this

Not much of a change quite yet.

Step 7:

Now adjust your Glow Map Layer to 100% opacity. Here is your glow mapped eye texture:

t this point you may apply it to the mesh. However, for further example purposes we are also going to glow map the lips. The eye only glow map PSD has been included in the zip file.

Here's an example render with the glow map applied with lights on and lights off:

Once again, I only used slight glow mapping on her eyes to not overwealm the face. You can adjust the intensity by increasing the opacity of the eraser brush.

You may also duplicate your background layer if you wish your eyes to glow a different color than the eye texture. Simply duplicate the background layer and color it as you please. Just make sure it's underneath the glow map layer. For ease, this should be done after completing all the above steps.

You may also choose to glow map only sections of the eyes, such as small spots of twinkle. To do this, use a smaller eraser brush.

Glow Mapping the Lips

Glow mapping lips can be difficult, as too much glow map results in clown like lips that stand out from the face too much.

Follow all the above steps. Once you've succesfully glow mapped your eyes, make the Glow Map Layer 50% opacity once again.

Select the eraser tool once more. This time select a very small number for brush opacity, I perfer 10%.

(Click to Open in New Window)

Now, run the eraser tool over the Glow Map layer like we did with the pupils. Run the tool over the top of the bottom lip and at the crests of the top lip. Here's an example marked in red of where to use the eraser tool

Here's an example of what your texture will look like after using the eraser tool on the partially transparent Glow Map layer

Now, adust the Glow Map Layer to 100. You won't see much difference on the lip section of the texture:

Now, save your texture and apply it to the mesh. Here's a render of how the lips look:

Once again, by increasing the opacity of the brush tool or increasing the area of the lips glow mapped, you can set varing stages and intensity of glow.