pic.untitled

...and not really finished, but I wanted to post anyway, just to show what I'm messing with. I've been trying to get better with making 3D images in Photoshop, and it's been a slow process for me (although I only spent a few hours on this, which is why it isn't really rich with detail). Here is the result of my labors:

Result of My Labors

I'd love it if you could tell me how to improve on the 3D imagery, without getting into 3D programs!

looks very good. i'm impressed that your not using a 3d program. the only thing that bothers me - the 'tentacles' dont look as 'real' as the sphere. i woudlnt know how to fix that, except maybe texture them more. good work.

yeh, I know what you mean. It was bothering me that the tentacles looked so plain. How about this one:

variant 2

I was messing around with this texture while working on the tentacles, but didn't know if it fit. I went ahead and changed the background to make it look less like a fairy tale.

Any better?

Ok, leave the 3d aspect of the tentacles alone, that is very good. Is this supposed to be an underwater scene type image? if so, move the wavy effect behind the sphere. About the tentacles again - they look really good, but i think they should match the sphere in colour more, or have maybe the sphere effect/color fade into the beginning of the tentacles -then fade into what you have now.

I kinda like the first version better. Looks really cool by the way.

Nice...:D

Nice tentacles, how did you make them look like some are in front? Maybe it's the blurs and the fact they are different sizes...

Oh, by the way, hello, liquid::pixel! Love your sig!

mostly blurring to get the depth of field.

coming back today and seeing the two together, I think I like the first one better also. Or maybe I should just take the texture off of the tentacles in the second one. I like the wave in the first one, too. Looks more misty.

I don't know. I'll keep tinkering. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!