Vignette in CC3
Ricko
🖼️ 116 images Mapmaker
Although I normally add this effect to an image editing program, the other day while playing with CC3, the possibility of exporting the original image with this effect built in came to mind. This effect is Vignette.
In photography and painting is an aesthetic effect that creates a gradual darkening or lightening of the edges of an image or canvas, directing the viewer's attention to the center or to a specific area of the composition. This feature can occur intentionally or accidentally and has different applications and meanings in both contexts.
Some of them are:
Directing the Eye - Vignette is often used to guide the viewer's eye to the point of interest in the image, usually located in the center.
Creating Atmosphere - Darker tones at the edges can create a dramatic or introspective effect, while lighter edges can convey lightness or serenity.
Natural Framing - It acts as a "frame" for the scene, keeping the focus within the composition and reducing peripheral distractions.
Emphasis on Subject - In painting, the use of softer or darker tones at the edges helps to highlight the main subject of the work.
Impression of Depth - The gradual tonal transition can create the illusion of three-dimensionality or that the subject is emerging from the darkness.
Narrative and Drama - Vignettes are used to emphasize emotional or symbolic context, reinforcing feelings of isolation, mystery, or introspection.
Natural Focus - In the absence of digital vignettes, artists use brushstrokes or color choices to soften the edges of the composition, naturally guiding the eye.
To achieve this effect, I used Mike Schley's Contours sea, moving the SHEET above all the icons in the image. After that, an inner edge fade is applied to the Contours by adjusting the Edge Width.
Comments
This is the image without any "Vignette" effect.
This is the image with "Vignette" effect
Although the first one had 100% inner edge fade, I still wanted a little more darkness.
For this I created a new SHEET CONTOURS (SEA) and placed it on top, also with edge fade inner.
And this is the effect with double Vignette
Always remember to disable the restrict to the map border option when contouring so that the outer edge fade inner does not affect your image deliberately.
Another way of doing something similar (if you want a rectangular vignette, for example), is to cover the entire map in a polygon and use an EFI turned inside out (100% opacity on the outside, and zero opacity on the inside), then a Blend Mode to control opacity and how the vignette works with the map.
Light vignette, where the edges of an image or painting are made lighter than the center, is a less common technique than dark vignette but equally powerful. This effect creates a sense of openness, lightness, or surreality and has specific applications in photography and painting.
Fascinating to see this discussion.
I did something similar to what Sue describes (without using the Blend Mode option), while taking advantage too of Sue's Transparent Dome symbols, a couple of years ago for the Faerie City of Embra in the Community Atlas. I used both round and square variants on the theme to "mist-out" the edges. This topic, on the village versions of the city, shows the circular variant, and all the maps can be viewed and downloaded via the Atlas website, of course (Embra Official Guide page). You can find all the other topics discussed with images on the Forum as well, should you wish - just search for "Embra"!