Fine-tuning Mirror Reflections
... working with oblique reflections
Okay, one last scenario. What if the image you wish to show is not perfectly parallel to the camera, and presents a perspective view? All the other steps are exactly the same, except when you mirror your floated copy, you'll need to use the Shear Transform tool to pull it into a true mirror.
I followed the same steps as before:
* Duplicate the cut-out object using the float command (Ctrl/J or Cmd/J)
* Move Tool, drag the top, center handle down below to reflect the object
However, that leaves me with opposing angles.
So, with the reflected object active, use the Move tool (Tap V) and then
Choose Edit > Transform > Skew
Hover the tool to the side of the object to be moved, and the double arrows tell you it's ready to move. Grab the edge, Click and drag (usually using the shift key to constrain the movement) until it comforms to it's real edge.
These are the steps the reader in the Photoshop 911 Forums will have to use in order to make his photo look realistic. Each of the two sides will have to be skewed independently to comply with the bottom edges of the object. They'll each need to be skewed slightly more on their back edges to simulate perspective, and they'll each need their own gradient mask to provide the fall-off.
Now the image is a true reflection and you can finish everything as before
You're done.
There are lots of other variations, and some shortcuts we didn't mention, but this is the non-complicated series of steps that will work in all versions of Photoshop since version 5.5, and in all versions of Photoshop Elements. We like to keep it simple for'ya!
Thanks for reading
Editor / Publisher: Photoshop Tips & Tricks, DTG Magazine.
