Crystal 3D IMPACT! Pro Banner

This image was created in four parts.

Initially I laid out the whole image in 3D Impact. This gives me an idea of what the overall composition, and color scheme should look like in the end.

Next I saved this document as my main file. Then I deleted the "3D IMPACT!" section and saved it again as a file I will use as a background. I then "Save Image" the background file without shadows, or sparkles with my lights set so that I get a really flat looking image. You could also substitute another image a background. Another tip is that I save my images at twice the final image size, this allows me to reduce and not lose quality. In other words, if your banner is going to be 50x50 pixels save your images at 100x100 pixels.

I then open my main file and delete everything except the "3D IMPACT!." Once again save this file as another name. Saving at stages allows you to go back in and make changes to one portion or another without losing steps. Set the background as the last saved image. Now I set my lights, and objects to gain the best shadow. By changing the Shadow Options, and moving the light I can change the angle and depth of the shadows. Another tip… Change the Ambient Light settings to a lighter shade of gray to lighten your shadows. Once again Save Image at twice the resolution of your final image.

Now I use the last saved image as a background, the new image with the "3D IMPACT!" and shadows. Now comes the good part. Create a larger sphere, and make it glass, preferably a clear glass material. Place it in the scene and turn off Shadows and turn on Sparkles. Set the sparkle setting as high as the size will go and as low as the threshold will go. This should give you a really big sparkle. You will need to move the sphere to get the sparkle where you want it.