Changing the material an object appears to be made from

[_Entity]

Hey guys,

If I have an image of say, a metal chair, and I want it to appear wooden, what is the best way to go about that? I want to be able to change the material the object is made from. I could use a mask and put the texture on top, but then you'll lose the depth and contours of the actual object. Hope I'm making sense, look forwards to hearing your answer.

 

[dv8_fx]

It all depends on the complexity of the object you want to re-texture. You may have to mask out the components that comprise the object for texture mapping or adding color.

This thread may give an idea.... http://www.photoshopgurus.com/forum/photoshop-newbies/49582-how-change-color.html .

It's for color changing but can give you a basic idea what I'm talking about.

 

[MikeMc]

First thought is Texture mapping as DV pointed out...Mask it and find your texture


http://youtu.be/iHNO4Sgnw5E

 

[IamSam]

I agree with Mike, texture mapping is also called displacement mapping for when you look it up.

Providing an image might also help.

 

[ibclare]

Good guides guys. I watched Sam's reference tut. It covers the technique and more, adding the blurs, the background tricks, etc. A clear and simple explanation of displacement maps. And of course, the very important blend mode changes.

 

[_Entity]

Thanks guys! This will give me enough to go on.

 

[dv8_fx]

It's difficult to name a procedure or technique without knowing what your intended object looks like - is it a straight forward perspective shot or set at an angle?... Does it have a lot of square edges? Cylindrical?

All these and maybe more have to be taken into consideration in order to come up with the appropriate PS moves.....

 

[_Entity]

Hey. It's joinery. Literally just windows and doors. Can you recommend anything?

 

[IamSam]

Hey Entity, based on your post.....

Can you recommend anything?

Can I then assume that what has already been recommended did not work?

 

[dv8_fx]

Joinery ... OK ...

Metal to Wood and vice versa? Is it FULL windows and doors or just the joint sample images?

Hey. It's joinery. Literally just windows and doors. Can you recommend anything?

 

[_Entity]

dv8_fx - It'll be the full images. For example, I have a picture of a full timber door on my screen; how do I make it look like metal? Of course, no one wants a metal door but it's an example.

 

[IamSam]

This is just a stab at this since I don't have a reference. I put this together yesterday but decided I would not post it, but in lieu of your last post, I will post it.

There are other ways to accomplish this.
It is also the opposite of what you posted above.

I open an image of a metal door.


I use the Pen Tool to make a selection of the door, including the lockset and doorknob.


I fill this selection with White. It can be any color it does not matter.


I find some wood texture that I want to use and then use Free Transform to position it over the door.


Next I apply a clipping mask to the Wood Texture layer by holding the option key and hovering my cursor between the two layers until the cursor turns to a white box with and angled arrow pointing down, then click.


In the next layer I add a Foreground to transparent gradient using black as my foreground color and the Gradient Tool.

I add yet another and last layer. I use the same method above except with White as my foreground color and I create a thin white highlight on the left edge of the door.

As these last two steps are hard to see, here they are on a grey background.


Here is the final result...




If this is not what you need....you will have to give us an example, I don't want to be guessing anymore!