How Backdrop Designer works.
Backdrop Designer uses over 900 pre-made Photoshop digital backdrops to create colorful textures, then adds in shadows to simulate 3D drapery. The beautiful graphics created by Backdrop Designer are generated by powerful math equations that use pixels to create natural looking imagery. These algorithms create digital backdrops that are not tied to a pixel resolution. The digital backdrops can move and repeat without showing their edges.
Seamless independence.
Backdrop Designer graphics are 'resolution independent'. This term means that you can apply Backdrop Designer to a file of any pixel resolution. The digital backdrop will take on the physical dimensions and the pixel-based resolution of your Adobe Photoshop file.
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Whether you apply Backdrop to a 4 x 6 inch, 72 ppi file or to a 12 x 20 foot, 300 ppi file, your graphic will look sharp and color perfect. Backdrop Designer backgrounds are also 'seamless'. The Texture and Shadows repeat themselves without showing a noticeable gap in the pattern. This means you can infinitely reposition and rescale the digital backgrounds in order to find the perfect spot. Of course, as with any pixel-based graphic, the higher the resolution, the more detail contained in your Photoshop file. This means the quality of the rendered Backdrop image will be higher. We do recommend that you work at the largest size and resolution that your final output will need. Once a digital backdrop is rendered, that imagery becomes a fixed part of your Photoshop file. |
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Organic noise.
How can Backdrop Designer be resolution independent and seamless? At its core, the Photoshop plugin uses fractal noise and procedural textures.
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Fractal noise is a method of using pixels to create imagery that cannot be described using simple geometric shapes. With fractal noise, you can simulate natural objects like clouds, lava, water, caustics and gas. Some of Photoshop's built-in filters, like Filter> Render> Clouds, also use fractal noise. |
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A procedural texture is a repeating pattern that is made from fractal noise and can go on endlessly. Sometimes the fractal creates a distinct pattern. Sometimes that pattern is random. Other times the pattern repeats itself, but not exactly in the same way, and that is how Backdrop Designer works.
Can't import pixel graphics.
An important feature to know about Backdrop Designer is that you can't import your own pixel-based graphics, then extend those into seamless resolution independent backgrounds. The reason you can't import images is exactly why Backdrop Designer is so powerful. These textures are created with mathematical formulas. You can't import a pixel-based graphic and turn it into a mathematical formula.
The exception is a function called the Bend Editor. This palette allows you to import a grayscale photo for use as the Shadow in your composite.