GfxLovers

Best brushes Of all time

2009-06-02T12:48:00.000+05:30

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Code:

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The Dark Knight wallpaper

2009-04-16T12:58:00.000+05:30

A quick Photoshop tutorial on the making of a grunge-style TDK (The Dark Knight) wallpaper! Is anyone else here looking forward to this wicked film?

(1680 x 1050 download)

Introduction

I’d like to point out that I was inspired to design this after seeing (and using) Louie Mantia’s The Dark Knight wallpaper, which you can find here. He also has tons of other amazing wallpapers that you can download in fullscreen or widescreen resolutions.

Obviously you know what we’ll be making in this tutorial, but you should know that you should at least have basic knowledge of Photoshop to follow completely through. We’ll be using a lot of the basics in Photoshop, including tools and layer-related stuff.

1. Making your Canvas

We need to start by making a new document in Photoshop. For this tutorial you should use the resolution that fits your screen - in my case 1680 x 1050! Bring some rulers onto your canvas in the center.

Select some appropriate colors then drag a radial gradient in the middle of your document.

Colors used were #3d3b3c and #0e0d11.

2. Background Texture

Time to add a little detail to the background. Find and copy onto your canvas a nice, grungy texture. For this you can use paper, stone, abstract or whatever! A good place to start is CG Textures.

Start with a texture of some metal scratches. Copy it into your canvas, resize it then mess with the layer mode & opacity/fill. I tried Color Dodge with a fill of 30%.

Get another texture, this time you can use something random. Again mess with the layer mode and opacity, use whatever comes out nice & to your liking.

(rusty metal texture added)

3. Bat Logo

Time to get a nice bat logo for our wallpaper. For this you might want to go to Google Images and search for a good-quality batman logo. Just remember, go for the new and much cooler batman logo, not the old corny one from the ’60s

Since I’m no professional with the Pen Tool or Illustrator, I enlisted the help of my brother Simon in tracing the batman logo, and it came out perfectly:

If you want to download the batman logo used above, please feel free: Download Batman Logo PSD

Copy your bat logo onto the canvas and rasterize it (conver it to pixels). Now you may want to make a few duplicates of your original layer, just in case something goes wrong.

4. Metal Effect (Bat Logo)

Now we want to make our bat logo a bit more interesting. Do you have any ideas on how to do that? I personally had a great struggle with this part… but anyway, follow this and I’m sure we’ll come out with a decent metal effect

Start by darkening up your logo a little bit (start with a base color of #878787). Now, head into the blending options for your bat layer and apply the following layer styles:

Remember: depending on what size document and logo you’re working with, you may need to tweak those settings. I now have a basic beveled effect:

OK, not looking so great, yet!

Create a new layer (layer > new > layer) then merge this layer together with your logo layer, this will apply the layer styles to the pixels so we can start afresh. Find and get out the Burn Tool, set the settings to low (Midtones, 30%) and do a little bit of burning on the inside of the logo.

Now, using the Dodge Tool with moderate settings (Highlights, 35%) do a little bit of dodge-work on the edges/corners of your logo.

Get out the Burn Tool again, using the same settings as before, darken the middle area of your logo a little more.

Now it’s time for some more layer styles:

Again, depending on what sizes you’re working with here, you may need to alter the inner shadow/inner glow settings.

Not bad now! As done before, create a new layer then merge it with the layer applied with the layer styles. After this, darken up your logo a little more using the levels feature (ctrl+l).

OK, we’re done for that part, but we want to add a little more metal to the logo (next step).

5. Metal Textures (Bat Logo)

Again, check out your texture resources and find some nice, rusty metal textures. To start with I used a ‘galvanized’ metal texture.

Copy your texture to the canvas, resize it then crop it to the bat logo pixels (using a layer mask).

Now, time to mess with some layer modes. For the first galvanized metal texture layer I used Color Dodge with 40% fill, then I duplicated this layer and changed the layer mode to Overlay and left the fill opacity intact.

Not really noticeable, hey? Anyway, to finish off I added one more texture on top, with a large rusty bit at the top:

For this layer I used Linear Burn and 27% fill (please remember, all the textures used in this tutorial can be downloaded from CG Textures).

(click for larger version)

6. Finshing Effects for Bat Logo

OK, to finish off with the bat logo I think we should add a shadow and also one of those cool light rays in the background. For the shadow, simply apply an Outer Glow layer style to the main layer.

For the ‘cool light ray’ effect I was talking about, get one of your original bat logo layers (with one solid color) and apply Filter > Blur > Radial Blur with similar settings to these:

Now we have a cool blur like this:

I think a good idea for a better effect would be to make the shape slightly bigger before apply radial blur, so it stands out on the sides a little bit more. Anyway, after you’re done with the radial blur, change the layer mode to Color Dodge and lower the fill if you think it necessary.

So, as you can see, on the left we have the final bat logo on top of the light ray in the background, and on the right is the final light ray with the layer mode changed.

Further Effects

As I write this I continue getting ideas to improve on the final product, but I can’t list them all! You should keep adding your own stuff to the outcome though, as you’ll always come across a better effect.

One idea is to create another light ray effect and place it on top of all the other layers, use a layer mode such as Overlay and erase away some of the inner area.

(additional light ray effect on the right, as explained above)

7. Additional Textures

If you want a much darker outcome, you should continue adding textures on top of the whole document (not just the shape or the background, but the whole thing) and continue playing with layer modes, fills, layer masks, etc.

Don’t forget the ole trusty but crusty brushes either!

(more textures, more adjustment layers, etc.)

Thanks + PSD

Well, we’re done for this tutorial! I hope it was sufficient Just remember though, if there’s anything specific you needed help with, please leave a comment or download and dissect the PSD file!

Download PSD (21.3mb) Right-click the link and click save target as or save link as

creative-menu-for-your-websit

2009-04-16T12:57:00.000+05:30

In this easy, step-by-step tutorial I’m going to show you how to design creative menu for your website.

Start by creating a new document to make your button menu in. I created a small document sized 500×500 px with white background.

Select Rounded Rectangle Tool (Radius: 10 px) to make the shape as on picture below:

Then we can add one anchor points in the middle of every side of the shape using Pen Tool to make our shape more rounded. Then select Direct Selection Tool and correct these points similar to these:

Apply Outer Glow, Inner Glow and Gradient Overlay layer styles:

Now we have something like this:

Pres Ctrl+J to duplicate layer, then clear layer style for the copied layer and press Ctrl+D to miniaturize shape 94% horizontal and vertical.

Then apply Gradient Overlay and Stroke layer styles:

Press Ctrl+J again to duplicate layer and clear layer style. Press Ctrl+D to miniaturize shape 93% horizontal and vertical, after that select Direct Selection Tool to correct anchor points to get the shape as below:

Use Layer > Rasterize > Shape and change the color to white for this shape.

Make selection with Polygonal Lasso Tool (Feather: 17 px) and press Del to clear selection inside.

Press Ctrl+D to remove the selection. Now you’ll want to add the icon to the button. Get out the Custom Shape Tool and select Thumb Tack Shape (this is standard shape).

Use the white color to get the picture as below:

OK, we’re done for that part, but we want to add line where we can put some text in menu. Go to the background layer and make a new one shape using Rounded Rectangle Tool (Radius: 7 px). All layers of the button must be above this shape.

Now it’s time for some more layer styles, like Outer Glow , Inner Glow, Gradient Overlay and Stroke:

Ok, to finish out the menu line let’s add some text. Get out the horizontal Gorizontal Type Tool (just the regular one) and write out your text. The font I’ve used above is called Ottawa. For the bottom line of text I used: Bold, 18 pt, Crisp, black color.

I finished off by adding Drop Shadow, Color Overlay and Gradient Overlay to the text layer.

I would like to add one more text line using color of ##1d70e1.

Then apply Drop Shadow layer style for the text:

Final example. We can make more buttons to get something as below:

Good luck!

Make Up Effect for the Face

2009-04-16T12:55:00.001+05:30

In this Photoshop tutorial I will be walking you through the creating new make up for the face.

Open up the stock photo you’ve chosen to be working with for this tutorial. First of all we need to make face skin softer. For this effect duplicate layer with Ctrl+D and apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with the next presets:

After that mess with the layer mode & opacity/fill. I tried Soft Light with opacity of 60%. Ok, now get out the Eraser Tool and make clear area out of face skin.

Merge two layers in one. See the difference:

After that I think we should add some lipstick on lips. So, select the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make selection as on picture below:

Press Ctrl+J to duplicate selected area and change the color with Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation using similar settings to these:

Now we have something like this:

To bring it real view find and get out the Eraser Tool and clear unnecessary parts of the layer out of lips. After that set opacity up to 70% for this layer.

Now I would like to change eyes color and add some eye shadows. Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool and make selection as below:

Press Ctrl+J to duplicate selected area on the new layer. Now Image > Adjustments > Levels with the next presets:

To get the next picture:

Ok, now select the Eraser Tool again and a soft round brush to make a little clean work as on picture below:

After that create a new layer, then select the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make selection similar to the picture below:

Fill the selection with color of #a2ab8d and press Ctrl+D to deselect chosen area:

Apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with the next presets:

Change layer mode to Hue:

Looking pretty good! Isn’t it? And the last one thing, I would like to put on rouge. For this create a new layer, then get out the Brush Tool and a soft round brush and make not so big spots from the left and rights sides of the face using color of #ff94a8:

Now apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with similar settings to these:

Your picture should look as mine:

Now clear rouge out of face borders using the Eraser Tool and set up layer mode to Color for the layer:

That is it! Now we have cool make up effect for the face.

Create a Movie Quality DVD Cover

2009-01-01T03:50:00.000+05:30

How to Create a Movie Quality DVD Cover Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1

Create a new document with dimensions; 1000x1415px then go here and copy this image then paste it into your document and scale it to fit the full page.

Step 2

We're going to add a bit of disruption in the water so copy this image then paste it into your document then go Image>Adjustments>Desaturate then just scale an move the image until you have something that resembles the image shown below.

Step 3

Change the blend mode of this layer to overlay.

Step 4

Obviously we don't want the peoples heads showing at the front and we want the sky and water to blend in. First add a layer mask to the layer with the explosion on it by clicking the layer mask button at the bottom of the layers panel. Select the brush tool and choose a 125px soft round brush then set the brush opacity to 20% in the main toolbar. Make sure the foreground color is set as black and the layer mask is selected. Now just brush around the parts that you want to hide so brush over the edges of the image first to soften them then over the people and brush over the water a bit to get it to blend. Keep brushing until you get something similar to the image below, if you feel you've brushed to much then just change the foreground color to white then that should unhide the parts that you now brush over.

Step 5

Now if you've already gone through part one of the tutorial then copy the layers from that tutorial straight into this document; if you have both documents open then you can just select all the layers from the plane document (except the background) and drag them into this document. If you haven't completed the previous tutorial then you can just use the undestroyed version of the plane which you can find here. Either way just scale and position it until you get something that you like.

Step 6

Now change the blend mode of the plane layer to multiply, if you followed the previous tutorial you may have already done this.

Step 7

Change the foreground color to black then select the gradient tool then click the drop down arrow in the main toolbar and select the second gradient which should go from transparent to opaque black, if not then just make a custom gradient like this. Make sure the gradient type is set at linear then hold Shift and drag from the bottom of the document up to about the middle of the wing and you should get something like the image below.

Step 8

Change the blend mode of this layer to soft light.

Step 9

Duplicate this layer and change the opacity to 75% and the blend mode to multiply. We did it in this way so we can have the image fade to black at the bottom but still preserve the color saturation of the image; this is a good one to remember. We darkened the bottom of the image for two reasons; firstly to draw the focus away from the dock which stood out too much and secondly so we place our text here and it will stand out.

Step 10

We're going to go for a really cliche movie font, Trajan; used on more than half of all movie posters since 2000. Trajan is overused but we're going to use it here because we're not aiming for originality anyway. Select the type tool then click somewhere in the document then type 'the' and change the size to 40pt, the font to Trajan/Trajan Pro and the color to white. Now move the text to just below the guy like in the image below.

Step 11

Now select the type tool again and click in the document then type 'PlanE' (note the uppercase/lowercase characters) and change the size to 180pt, I also changed the size of the 'E' to 170pt as it looked to big. The last thing that you need to do is to change the tracking (horizontal character spacing) of some of the letters to even it out. DO this by going Window>Character and highlighting one letter at a time and changing the tracking until it looks balanced and 'symmetrical'. Now move it to where it looks good.

Step 12

Right click on the plane text layer and go to blending options and add a drop shadow and an inner bevel using the settings shown below.

Step 13

We want to add some soft vignetting now, which means darkening the edges of the image. You could do this with a gradient but here we're going to brush it on because we don't want it symmetrical and you have more control if you do it this way. So first create a new layer then grab a soft round brush with a size of about 150px and an opacity of about 10% then set the foreground color to black. Now just brush round the top corners (the bottom ones are dark enough) make sure you don't brush over the plane and keep doing this until your image resembles the one shown below.

Step 14

Most movie posters contain some credits and most of them use extremely compressed type. Basically here what you want to do is to type in your text and center justify it, it doesn't really matter what font you are using but set the color to something like #39362d. Now to compress it go Window>Character to bring up the character editor again then highlight the text and adjust the character width as shown in the image below.

Step 15

Now add some more text, I added the names of some actors at the top and a website at the bottom and just kept it pretty simple.

Step 16

I added a curves adjustment layer by clicking the button at the bottom of the layers panel. Next just go through each channel and alter the curves slightly, the main thing I did was to lower the amount of blue in the image. Try to get your curves looking like the image shown below.

Step 17

I also felt the flames were not bright enough so I fixed this in two steps. First add a levels adjustment layer and drag the black slider in to about 35 and the white slider in to about 225; this will brighten our image a bit as well as raise the saturation.

Step 18

You'll notice that the flames look awesome now but the rest of the image is a bit off so we're now going to mask off the adjustment layer. This time hold Alt and click on the layer mask button in the layers panel and this will create a layer mask and fill it black so this adjustment layer is fully hidden now. Select the brush tool and choose a 30px soft round brush with an opacity of about 20% then set the foreground color to white. Now select the layer mask and just paint over the flames a few times and you will notice that when you paint over them they will become brighter as what we are doing is unhiding the adjustment layer in these parts.

Conclusion

To finish this tutorial off I thought I'd point you to a great PSD file of a DVD case, you can download it it here. What I did was saved my image as a jpeg then pasted the jpeg image into the DVD case document and this shows you roughly how the cover will look. This is optional but it's the kind of thing that would be useful if you were to present a DVD cover design to a client. You can see what mine looked like below

Simple Glossy Navigation Bar Design in Photoshop

2009-01-01T03:48:00.001+05:30

Here is a preview of the final result of this tutorial:

OK let’s get started!

Step 1

Firstly let’s create some background to work with.

Create a new document sized 1000*600px, use the Gradient Tool (with Foreground colour #333333 and Black ground colour #000000) to fill the background layer.

Step 2

Create a new layer and grab a big round brush (I used a 700px brush) with white color, set its opacity and flow to 50%, do several left-clicks (see image below for details):

Step 3

Create a new layer named “Navi Bar”. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to make a selection and fill the selection with Black Colour.

Apply Drop Shadow layer blending option to this layer:

Here is the effect so far:

Step 4

Hold down the Ctrl key and left click on the “Navi Bar” layer to load the selection.

After the selection is loaded, hold down the Alt key and use the Rectangular Marquee tool to make another selection over the existing selection. This will subtract our existing selection.

Step 5

Maintain the selection from the previous step, create a new layer called “glossy” and fill it with White colour. Set the layer opacity and fill opacity to around 30%.

Type some page texts onto the “glossy” layer:

Step 6

Now we can add some mouseover effect! To do this, create a new layer in between the text layer and the “glossy” layer and name it “mouseover”.

Then use the Rectangular Marquee tool to make a selection outside a page text, fill it with White colour and set the layer opacity and fill opacity to around 30% (in layer blending options).

Apply a colour overlay of your choice. I used the following settings:

That’s it for this tutorial! You can add some final touches using preset brushes and apply some texture effects in the background.

Here is my final result of this tutorial:

Hope you enjoy this tutorial and find is useful when you design your own website! If you would like to find how to translater the design into working web pages, study some XHMTL and CSS~ There are plenty of tutorials available on the net about this topic.

If you have any question, just drop me a line below. Thanks and have a nice day :)

NOTE : ALL CREDITS FOR THE ORIGINAL TUTORIAL MAKER :)

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=== For more tutorials keep visiting ;) ===
= http://photoshop-manic.blogspot.com =
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Saturday, December 27, 2008

Creating Gadgets with photoshop

Step 1

Create a new document using the settings shown below. You can actually use whatever resolution you choose, in this tutorial I used 1024x768.

Step 2

Grab the Gradient Tool, select Linear Style and fill the layer from top (#000000) to bottom (#45494d).

Step 3
Select the Ellipse Tool (Shift + U) and draw a circle. Rename the layer that was just created "Player_L1" and apply a Gradient Overlay and an outside Stroke, using the settings shown below.

Step 4

Next, we will add a nice pattern to this layer. Since you cannot have pattern and a gradient styles applied to the same layer, duplicate the layer and rename it "Player_L1_Pattern." Change the layer's Blending Mode to Multiply with 40% Opacity and apply the layer styles that are shown below. I have used a very cool "Spiderman" pattern by *s0nkite which you can download from here.

Step 5

For the next step you will need to create a vinyl record. A nice tutorial by Arik on Creating a Vinyl Record In Photoshop that will show you how to do it.

You can follow Arik's tutorial, creating the record in this design, simply without the background. Once you have the record done, merge all its layers and rename the merged layer "Player_L2." Apply the following layer styles and also make sure to rotate the record so that its glare will be positioned as shown.

Step 6
Create a new layer and rename it "Player_L12_Shade." While still on this layer, Command-click the "Player_L1" layer to select its shape. Make sure you have selected black as your Foreground color, grab the Brush Tool (B) and using a 200px soft rounded brush gently add some black shading working your way from outside the selected area. Make sure you only color the bottom, as that is the only area that requires shading for now. Change the layer's blending mode to Multiply with 80% Opacity.

Step 7

Duplicate the "Player_L1" layer and place it on top of all other layers. Name this layer "Player_L3." Hit Command + T to transform the shape. We will increase its size by 105% as shown below.

Step 8

Next we need to carve into the newly created circle. In order to do this, click the "Player_L3" layer, grab the Pen Tool (P) and select Subtract From Shape Area (-). Use the Pen Tool to draw the shape as shown below.

Once the shape is ready, grab the Path Selection Tool (A) and select the shape you have just created. Alt-drag the shape to duplicate it, choose Edit > Transform > Rotate and rotate the duplicated shape until it is in the right angle to be placed opposite to the original one.

Step 9
We will now create a pattern, which we'll use to pop up our design a bit. Create a new file (File > New) with the following settings: size of 4px by 4px, resolution of 72 dpi, and a transparent background. Grab the Pencil Tool (B) and adjust the size to 1 px, then create the following pattern using a white color (you may want to zoom in so that the drawing will be easier). Once you are done drawing the pattern, choose Edit > Define Pattern and name it "Dotted Pattern."

Step 10
Double-click on the "Player_L3" layer and apply the following layer styles.

Step 11

Duplicate the "Player_L3" layer and name the new layer "Player_L3_2," also change the layer's Blending Mode to Soft Light with 50% Opacity. Double-click this layer to apply the following layer styles.

Step 12
Create a new layer and name it "Player_L3_Shade." While still on this layer, Command-click the "Player_L3" and add some shading to the right and bottom sides of the selected area (the same way as we did in Step 6).

Step 13

Now we will add a small glare to the player's body. Create a new layer and name it "Player_Glare." While on this layer, Command-click the "Player_L1" layer to select its shape. Fill the selected area with white and de-select the layer (Command + D).

Select the contents of "Player_Glare," choose Select > Transform Selection, and then press the Down Arrow seven times. Next press the Right Arrow five times to move the selection area. When done click Enter to apply the change. Click Delete to delete the contents of the selection area. You now have the glare's shape.

Transform (Command + T) the shape to move and rotate the shape into place as shown. Change the layer's Blending Mode to Soft Light and double-click the layer to apply the following Gradient Style.

Step 14

The next step is a bit tedious, I admit. However, Photoshop lacks the ability to align shapes on paths, and so we must do this step by step in a repetitive manner. Grab the Rectangle Tool (U) and horizontally draw a rectangle 5px wide and 470px long (you can draw one at any size and then change its size by using the Transform Menu, as you can see below).

Grab the Path Selection Tool (A) and select it. Make sure you are in Add To Shape Area mode and then Alt + Shift-drag the rectangle up to duplicate it. Repeat this until you get twenty-five rectangles. Now comes the tedious part - you will need to rotate twenty-four of these rectangles in order to get them organized in a circle.

You can rotate them in -7.5 degrees multiplies. When you are done select all the shapes using the Path Selection Tool (A) and align their horizontal and vertical centers. To finish this step, select the Ellipse Tool (Shift + U), make sure you are in Subtract From Shape Area (-) mode, and draw a large circle leaving only around 10px or so from the original rectangle lines (see below). Repeat the last action, this time with a Rectangle Tool (U) to remove all unnecessary shapes. You've made it through this step! Woohoo!.

Step 15

Name the layer "Decorations" and apply some Inner Shadow using the following settings.

Step 16

Using the Rectangle, Ellipse, and Pen Tools, and the methods described above, create the main panel of the player. To create the 3D effect make the shape you are interested in, name the layer "Main_Panel_1" and apply the following layer styles.

Step 17

Next, duplicate the "Main_Panel_1" and name the new layer "Main_Panel_2." Scale down the shape to 95% width and 92% height of it's original size by clicking Command + T and and using the Transform Toolbar. To finish the look, apply a Gradient Overlay as shown.

Step 18

We will now start creating the audio control buttons and sliders. Choose white as your Foreground color, grab the Ellipse Tool (Shift + U), and while holding the Alt + Shift keys, draw a perfect circle. Name the layer "Control_button_1." Double-click the layer and apply the following Outer Glow settings.

Step 19

Duplicate the "Control_button_1" layer and rename the new layer "Control_button_2." Scale down the size of the shape to 97% using the methods we have discussed above, and apply the following Gradient Overlay.

Step 20

Repeat Step 19, this time on the "Control_button_2" layer, naming the new layer "Control_button_3." The Gradient Overlay applied to this layer is the same as in the previous step, only not reversed.

Step 21

Create a new layer and position it above the "Control_button_3" layer. Name it "Control_Glare." Grab the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) and draw an oval shape, which will intersect with the button graphics.

Click Command + Shift + Alt on the "Control_button_1" layer's thumbnail - this will select only the area that intersects between the two selections. Fill this area with a white color and adjust the layer's Blending Mode to Soft Light with an Opacity of 70%.

Step 22

Group all the Layers created in Steps 18 - 21 and name the group "Forward Button." Duplicate the group in order to create the buttons for rewind, stop, and pause actions, then rename them accordingly. Resize and position the buttons as shown below.

Step 23

Create the control button icons by using the Rectangle Tool (U) repeating the methods of Add To Shape Area and Subtract From Shape Area, which we have covered in previous steps. Place each icon in its appropriate button group below the "Control_Glare" button. Also, while creating the triangles for the forward and rewind icons, also create one for the play icon.

Step 24

We will now create the Play button. Grab the Ellipse Tool (Shift + U) and draw a perfect circle, position it between the pause and stop buttons. Name this layer "Play_Button_1" and apply the following layer styles.

Step 25

Duplicate the "Play_Button_1" layer and rename the new layer "Play_Button_2." Scale down the size of the shape to 85% using the methods we have discussed above, and apply the following layer styles.

Step 26

Repeat Step 21's actions to create a glare on the play button. Name the new layer "Play_Button_Glare" and change its Blending Mode to Soft Light with 70% Opacity. Also, create a new layer which you need to position below "Play_Button_Glare" layer where you will place the play icon you created in Step 23. You can also group all the play button's layers and name the group "Play Button."

Step 27

Use the Ellipse Tool (Shift + U), Pen Tool (P), and the Add To Shape Area, also use the previous method to create the button background area. Be sure to first create the circles surrounding the buttons, center-align them horizontally and vertically with the buttons and then connect them with the Pen Tool. Once you are done, name the layer "Buttons_Bk," place it behind the "Play Button" group, and apply the following layer styles.

Step 28

Using the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create the following shape. Once you have the shapes ready, change to the Rectangle Tool (U) and click on Subtract From Shape Area (-) in the Options Bar. Draw a large rectangle to cover most of the left side of the previously created lines. When done, rename the layer "Volume_Levels" and apply the following layer styles.

Step 29

We will now begin our work on the volume and balance sliders. Set your Foreground color to #8e8e8e, grab the Rounded Rectangle Tool (Shift + U), set the radius to 10px in the Options Bar, and draw a vertical rectangle shape. Name the shape layer "Volume_Rail" and adjust its position and scale according to the image below. Once you are done, apply the following layer styles as well.

Step 30

Grab the Line Tool (Shift + U), set the weight to 2px in the Options Bar and the Foreground color to #3b3b3b. Next, draw a vertical line in the middle of the "Volume_Rail" shape. You may aid yourself with two guides like I have which will make things a bit more accurate.

When done, name the layer "Volume_Rail_1," select the Move Tool (V), and align the two layers' vertical and horizontal centers using the Options Bar. Right-click on the "Volume_Rail" layer and copy the layer style from that layer to the layer you have just created.

Step 31

Creating the actual slider is quite easy. Grab the Rectangle Tool (U) and draw a rectangle anywhere on the slider rail, don't worry about the actual placement as you can always horizontally align the shape with the "Volume_Rail_1" layer. Once you are satisfied with the size of the shape, rename its layer "Slider_1" and apply the following (you guessed it!) layer styles.

Step 32

To complete the slider simply duplicate the "Slider_1" layer, and scale it down to 95% width and 90% height as we have done before. While still in Transform mode, move the shape up until it almost reaches the end of the the "Slider_1" shape, and hit Enter. Rename this layer "Slider_2" and add the following Gradient Overlay.

You can also select #a1a1a1 as your Foreground color, grab the Line Tool and draw a small line in the middle of the "Slider_2" shape to add an additional realistic touch to the slider.

Grab the Text Tool (T), select your desired font, and size (I used the font Estrangelo Edessa at 10pt) and type the word volume. Position the text above the slider. Next, grab the Polygon Tool (Shift + U), choose 3 as the number of sides in the Options Bar, and draw two small triangles indicating up/down directions. Both the text and the triangles are in #414040 color.

Step 33

Group all the volume slider's layers (including the rail) and name the group "Volume Slider." Duplicate this group, rename it "Balance Slider" (remember to also rename the layers accordingly) and then rotate and scale the shapes into their position as shown below. Note, because of rotation, some of the layer style values will need to be adjusted:

In the "Balance_Rail" layer change the Gradient Overlay angle to -90 degrees.

In the all slider layers, the Gradient Overlay angle should be 180 degrees.

Select #414040 as your Foreground color and using the Ellipse and Rounded Rectangle Tools (Shift + U) create the balance icon as appears below. To finish, grab the Text Tool and type L and then R, and position them as in the example (I used the font Estrangelo Edessa at a size of 10pt).

Step 34

We will now focus on the player's main panel. For this section I have used a free font called Arcade. I selected this font as part of my overall design concept, but if you followed a different concept, feel free to use a different one. The player's main panel consists of the following parts.

Step 35

We'll start with the progress bar element. Choose white as your Foreground color, grab the Line Tool (Shift + U), select 1px as the weight from the Options Bar, and draw a line from one side of the main panel to its opposite, preferably in the middle. Name this layer "Decoration" and create a new Layer Mask. Next, while the mask is selected, choose the Gradient Tool (G) and prepare a gradient as shown below. Draw the gradient as marked below to create the desired fading effect.

Next pick up the Rectangle Tool (U), press (D) to reset your color palette, and draw a rectangle as shown below. Name this layer "Progress_1" and vertically align this layer's center with the "Decoration" layer. Apply the below specified Stroke.

Grab the Rectangle Tool (U) again, choose #c97507 as your Foreground color, and draw a rectangle inside the "Progress_1" shape as shown below. Name this layer "Progress_2."

Step 36

Use the same method described in Step 35 and add the song info (artist, album, and song names). You can also add additional track information such as the song's progress length, track quality, and file type. In my design I have used some Outer Glow to pop out the song's progress element a bit.

Step 37

Use the Text Tool (T) and the Custom Shape Tool (Shift + U) to create the functional buttons, the later offers a variety of custom shapes which you can use to design your icons. To finish the main panel design, choose white as your Foreground color. Next, grab the Pen Tool (P) and draw a glare shape similar to the example below. When done name the layer "Panel_Glare," and apply the Gradient Overlay outlined below, then change the layer's Blending Mode to Soft Light with an Opacity of 40%.

Step 38

As you can see in the final image, I have added some decoration behind the main panel and the control buttons' background. To create this decoration grab the Ellipse Tool (Shift + U) and draw a large perfect circle. Select the Rectangle Tool (U), choose Subtract From Shape Area from the Options Bar.

Now draw two rectangles. One intersects the top side and the other the bottom side of the circle. Resize the shape to fit in the appropriate area. Once you have the shape ready, place the layer below the "Buttons_Bk" layer. Apply the layer styles as shown.

Step 39

The last elements to create are the Close, Minimize, and Compact buttons. The close button is quite simple to create as it is done using the same method we used for the control buttons (Steps 18 through 21). The difference is in the layer styles. In the screenshots below you can see the settings and how to create that Close icon. I will not explain how to create the Minimize and Compact icons, as they are very easy to accomplish.

Step 40

Now it is time to start wrapping things up. Group all layers (excluding the background of course) and name the group "Player 1." Duplicate the group twice, name the two new groups "Player 2" and "Player 3" and re-order the three groups in a descending order.

Merge all the layers in "Player 1" group, name the new layer "Final1." Duplicate the layer and go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, then select Radius of 1.0 and apply. Create a layer mask, press (D) to reset your color palettem and (X) to make black as your Foreground color.

Select the Gradient Tool making sure you are on Radial Gradient mode. Next use the default Foreground to Background preset to apply the gradient from the center of the player to the outside, so that the center area of the player will be sharp, while the edges will be a bit blurry. This will be used to create a depth of field effect. Name this layer "Final1_Blur."

Step 41

Create a new layer, grab the Gradient tool again (G), and select the Foreground to Transparent gradient preset. Draw again from the center of the player to the outside. Click Command + T to transform the gradient and scale it from top to bottom creating a nice shadow at the width of the player. Place the shape a bit further away from the bottom of the player to create a floating effect. Name this layer "Fianl1_Shadow" and place it under "Final1" layer.

Step 42

Duplicate the "Final1" layer and place it under "Final1_Shadow." Click Command + T to transform the shape. Next, while in that mode, Control-click on the transformed shape and choose Flip Vertical. Drag the transformed shape down, place it in the middle of the shadow area and hit Enter. Name this layer "Final1_ref," change its Opacity to 50% and place it under the "Final1_Shadow" layer.

Create a layer mask, press (D) to reset your color palette. Select the Gradient Tool making sure you are on the Radial Gradient mode and use the default Foreground to Background preset to apply the small gradient from the top of the flipped player to its center. This will make a nice reflection of a rounded object.

Final Image

That's it! We're done! In my final image I have changed the duplicated players' color themes, positioned them at the back with more Gaussian Blur applied. I really hope you've learned a lot from this tutorial, and I can't wait to see you put these practices into good use.

Photoshop Halftone Text Effect

2009-01-01T03:47:00.000+05:30

Photoshop Halftone Text Effect

Step 1: Create a new Photoshop document.

Step 1

Step 2: Fill the background layer with red.

Step 2

Step 3: Add some text and set the fill color to silver (R 222, G 220, B220).

Step 3 - Text Settings

Step 3 - Silver Text

Step 4: Arch your new text. Layer > Type > Warp Text.

Step 4 - Warp Settings

Step 4 - Warped Text

Step 5: Now it’s time to add a few strokes following the step in my previous tutorial Photoshop Text Outline Effects. The first outline stroke should be a nice rich maroon (R 90, G 19, B 21) and applied with the Stroke layer style.

Step 7 - Outline Stroke #1 Settings

Step 7 - Outline Stroke Color

Step 6: Add the second outline stroke using the Outer Glow layer style.

Step 6 - Outline Stroke #2 Settings

Step 6 - Outline Stroke #2

Step 7: Add the third outline stroke using the Drop Shadow layer style.

Step 7 - Outline Stroke #3 Settings

Step 7 - Outline Stroke #3

Step 8: Duplicate the current Photoshop document. Image > Duplicate.

Step 9: Add a new fill layer at the top of the layers palette in the duplicated document. Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient. When the Gradient Fill dialog box opens, be sure to choose the Black to White (3rd from left) basic gradient setup.

Step 9 - New Fill Layer

Step 9 - Gradient Fill

Step 9 - Finished Gradient Fill

Step 10: Convert the image mode to Grayscale. Image > Mode > Grayscale.

Step 10

Step 11: Convert the image to a halftone bitmap.

Step 11 - Bitmap Mode

Step 11 - Halftone Settings

Step 12: Select the entire bitmap image (Select > All) and then copy (Edit > Copy) and paste (Edit > Paste) it into the original document. You can now close the duplicated document without saving.

Step 13: Make sure the new layer of halftone dots is at the top of the layers palette.

Step 13

Step 14: Select the Dots layer and create a clipping mask with the text layer below. Layer > Create Clipping Mask.

Step 14

Step 15: Set the blending mode for the Dots layer to Multiply and the opacity to 15%.

Step 15

Done: Download sample file(s).

Final Result

Blur Text Transition

2008-11-23T11:33:00.000+05:30

Blur Text Transition

Step 1:
To start, open up an advertisement banner, or the document on which you want to apply the effect to. I used the following banner, you can download the .psd in the members section.

Step 2:
OK, So basically this is how the effect works: you have one line of text, and then it blurs out and a new line of text appears. To start grab the Text Tool and type out three lines of text. Each on there own layer and on top of each other. In our case we used:
“Only quality tutorials”
“New updates every 3 days”
“Downloadable PSD’s and Video”

Step 3:
Now We have to create 3 blurred layers. To do this simply make a copy of one of your text layers (CTRL+J), Rasterize the copy (Layer>rasterize>type), and apply motion blur with the following settings:

Step 4:
Duplicate the blurred layer 3 times (CTRL+J x3), then merge them together (CTRL+E x3). We do this to make the blur a bit more visible. You should now have a blur layer like mine.

Step 5:
Create a blurred layer for each line of text you have (in our case three). You’re layers should look similar to mine.

Step 6:
Hide all of the text and blurred layers except for the un-blurred first line of text. To do this simple un-check the eyeball next to each layer.

Step 7:
Open up the animation Window. To do this go to Window>Animation. It looks something like this.

Note: in older versions of Photoshop you must switch over to Imageready.

Step 8:
Set the delay of the first frame to 3 seconds. Create a new frame, now hide the line of text, and un-hide its blur layer. Here’s how frame 2 should look.

Step 9:
Create a new frame, on this frame lower the opacity of the blur layer buy 10%. Continue creating new frames and lowing the opacity all the way down to 20%.

Step 10:
On the 20% frame un-hide the second line of text. Now create a new frame and hide the blur layer, leaving the second line of text. Set the delay to 3 seconds. You should now have something like this:

Step 11:
Repeat this process for the remaining two lines of text, when you finish it should look like this:

>> Photoshop Brushes <<

2008-11-23T11:31:00.000+05:30

GfxLovers << Linked to!!!!

Colorful 3D text

2008-11-23T11:26:00.000+05:30

Colorful 3D text

In this tutorial you will learn how to create this colorful 3D text effect:

Step 1

Create a blank document, size depends on the size of your text.

Type your text with every new letter on a new layer.

This is what your layer paletter should look like:

Step 2

Give your text some color and align it to your liking.

The colors that are used here are:

#bd64fa

#a8ed76

and

#fc9713

Step 3

Hit CTRL+T at every layer and rotate the letters a bit so it looks something like this:

Step 4

Right click your first text layer and choose Rasterize.

Select your 2d text layer and hit CTRL-E to merge it into the first layer.

Repeat until you only have one text layer (+background) left.

Now add a gradient for the background.

Step 5

With your text layer selected hold down ALT and press down and then left about 4 or 5 times.

It'll look like this now:

Step 6

This is your layers palette right now:

Again, merge down until you are left with only two text layers:

Move your original text layer to the top:

Step 7

Select your copy text layer, hit CTRL-U and set it to something like this:

Merge the two text layers.

Apply this Drop Shadow to your text layer:

That's it, there's your colorful 3D text:

NOTE : ALL CREDITS FOR THE ORIGINAL TUTORIAL MAKER :)

Crazy Cool Vectors in Illustrator and Photoshop

2008-11-23T11:25:00.000+05:30

Crazy Cool Vectors in Illustrator and Photoshop

Step 1

The base for our design will be done in Illustrator. Open Illustrartor and with the Ellipse Tool (L) create an ellipse, then select the Gradient Tool (G) and add a Gradient. Use Linear type, -90º for the angle and red, yellow, green, and blue for the color.

Step 2

Create another ellipse, much smaller this time. Fill it with white and align it in the center of the big circle.

Step 3

Select the Blend Tool (W) and create a blend from the 2 circles. Just click on the first than on the second. After that double click on the Blend Tool icon and change the Blend Options. Use Specified Steps for the Spacing and 7 steps.

The last thing here, go to Object>Blend>Expand it will break the blend and you will be able to select all steps of the blend. Then just go to Object>Ungroup.

Step 4 - Photoshop

Now copy each element from Illustrator and paste in Photoshop in different layers. That will be necessary to create add a layer mask to each element.

Step 5

Now select the biggest circle and go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. Then select the Brush Tool (B) a regular brush, very soft, like 0% Hardness. The select black for the color and paint the mask to hide some areas (1-2).

Step 6

Now just repeat what we did in the previous step to all the other circles. But use smaller brushes to each one.

Step 7

Group all circles and merge the group, to do that just go to Layer>Merge Group.

Step 8

Select the merged layer and go to Filter>Brush Strokes>Crosshatch. Use 9 for Strong Lenght, 6 for Sharpness, and 1 for Strong.

Step 9

First lets create a small circle, select the Ellipse Tool (U) and make sure that you select the Shape Layer option. Then create the circle using black for the color and align it in the center of the other circles.

Then, create a new layer and go to Filter>Render>Clouds... make sure you used black and white for the colors. Change the Blend Mode to Overlay.

Step 10

Now create a new layer on top of the others and fill it with white. After that go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Use 14% for the Amount and Gaussian for the Distribution.Then change the Blend Mode to Multiply.

Conclusion

Just group the black circle with the circle layers and then duplicate it. Change the Blend mode to Screen and position the new group next to the other but let a part of it over the other circle. That will create a nice blend of colors.

In this tutorial we learned how powerful is the Blend Tool in Illustrator, and combined with all the things we can do in Photoshop, we can create very cool images blending vectors and colors. Now it's up to you.

Click on the image to see the Full Preview.

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment

2008-11-23T11:21:00.000+05:30

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment

Final Image

First, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Below is the completed illustration to see what you'll be working toward.

Step 1

Create a document that is 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Choose a typeface for the type treatment (I used Helvetica Bold) and type out what you want. Next, Outline the text by going to Type > Create Outlines.

Step 2

With the text selected, create a Linear Gradient from the Gradient Panel. Change the color of the first swatch on the Gradient Slider (left swatch) to a light green (I used these CMYK values: C=40, M=0, Y=100, and K=0). Change the second swatch on the Gradient Slider to a darker green (C=60 M=16 Y=100 K=0). Use the Gradient Tool (G) to adjust the gradient by clicking at the top of the type and dragging to the bottom of the type so the dark part is at the bottom.

Step 3

Now we're going to create some leaves. Start by drawing a leaf shape with the Pen Tool (P). Again, with the Pen Tool (P), draw a line that starts at the tip of leaf and ends in the middle of the bottom part of the leaf. After selecting the line and the leaf shape, press the Divide button in the Pathfinder Panel, located on the bottom left side of the panel. Ungroup (Command+Shift+G) the objects so you have two separate shapes.

Step 4

Select both shapes and create the same colored Linear Gradient as the Text. Next, select one shape and use the Gradient Tool (G) to click and drag at a 45 degree angle across the leaf half shape. Do this again for the other half of the leaf.

Step 5

With the Pen Tool (P) draw a highlight shape on the top leaf half. Change the highlight shape to a Radial Gradient. Change the left swatch to white and the right swatch to your green color (C=40 M=0 Y=100 K=0).

Step 6

With the Pen Tool (P), create a stem shape and send it behind the leaf shapes. Create a Linear Gradient, make the gradient the same colors as the leaf shapes, and adjust the gradient so the darker green is at the top of the stem.

Step 7

Next come the water droplets. Create an oblong ellipse with the Ellipse Tool (L). Then create a Linear Gradient using the same colors as the leaf and text. Adjust the gradient so the dark side is on the bottom left.

Create another ellipse on top of the previous ellipse and create a Radial Gradient with the same swatches as the highlight gradient. Adjust this gradient so the light part of the gradient is coming from the bottom left.

Create two more smaller ellipses with Linear Gradients matching the highlight gradient. Once you are done, group all the ellipses, scale and place them on the leaf shapes. You can easily copy the droplet by holding down Alt and dragging a copy.

Step 8

The next couple of steps deal with creating the ladybug. Create an ellipse and fill it with a Linear Gradient. Make the first swatch in the gradient a red (C=0 M=100 Y=100 K=0) and the second an even darker red (C=0 M=100 Y=100 K=35). Adjust the gradient so the red color is at the bottom of the ellipse.

Copy (Command + C) the ellipse and Paste it in Front (Command + F). Draw another bigger ellipse that overlaps the center of the original ellipse. After selecting one of the original ellipses and the overlapping circle, press the Intersect Shape Areas button in the Pathfinder Panel. Make the intersected shape a Linear Gradient with the first swatch white and the second swatch red. Adjust the gradient so the white is at the top of the shape.

Step 9

Draw five more ellipses over the ladybug body shape and group them together. Copy (Command + C) the original body ellipse shape and Paste it in Front (Command + F). With the copied body shape and the five ellipse selected, Intersect the shapes.

Change the dots to a Linear Gradient with the first swatch a really dark red and the second swatch a black red. Adjust the gradient so the lightest red is at the bottom of the combined shapes. Next, Copy (Command + C) the top highlighted shape of the body and Paste it in Front (Command + F).

Copy (Command + C) the dots and Paste it in Front (Command + F). Select the copied highlight and one of the dots copy and Intersect them. Create a Linear Gradient with the first swatch at 60% black and the second at 90% black. Adjust the gradient so the lighter black is at the top of the shape.

Step 10

Create another ellipse for the ladybug's head. Create a gradient the same as the top dots gradient and send the head behind the body shape. Draw an antenna shape with the Pen Tool (P) and place it behind the head. Copy (Command + C) the antenna and Paste it in Front (Command + F). Reflect the antenna by pressing the Flip Horizontal option from the pop-up menu of the Transform Panel.

Step 11

Draw an ellipse roughly the size of the completed ladybug. Create a Radial Gradient so the inside swatch is black and the outside is white. Set the ellipse to Multiply from the Transparency Panel and send it behind the ladybug to the bottom left, creating a drop shadow. After grouping the ladybug and drop shadow, place it on the leaf. Then scale and rotate the lady bug as needed.

Step 12

After selecting the leaf and all the elements on it, place them over your text. I placed mine over the first letter of the word.

Step 13

Copy (Command + C) the leaf and elements, except the lady bug, and Paste (Command + V). Flip the leaf horizontally and scale down the leaf. When scaling you don't have to constrain the proportions, this helps the leaf look different from the other. Repeat this step a couple of times around the text.

Step 14

For the other leaves we are going to create an Art Brush. You can draw these elements with the Pen Tool (P), but you'll find it more consistent and easier to use a brush.

Draw an oblong ellipse. Then with the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the right anchor point in the ellipse. When you select an anchor point the Control Panel will default to the Anchor Point Options. Convert the anchor point to a Corner (the first button to the right on the Control Panel). Do this again for the left anchor point. Next, squish the ellipse down from the top to half its original size.

Step 15

Drag the oval into the Brush Panel and choose New Art Brush. In the Art Brush options change Colorization to Tints. This lets you change the color of the brush without creating a new brush. You don't need to change the colors of the brush strokes for this tutorial, but it is good practice.

Step 16

With your new brush, make a swirl shape for a leaf blade. You might need to change the stroke of the brush if it looks to small or too big. When you get a stroke you like, go to Object > Expand. You will also want to clean up the unfilled stroke. An easy way to do this is to go Object > Path > Clean Up. Also, make sure all the check boxes are checked and press OK.

Step 17

Select the expanded brush shape and create a Linear Gradient with the same swatches as the original text gradient.

Step 18

Repeat the steps for creating the leaf blade around your text. Try to vary the shape and size of the blades.

Step 19

Next we're going to add some more water droplets around the text. Simply Copy (Command + C) the droplets on the leaf you already made and Paste (Command + V) them around the text. Also, be sure to vary their size and shape.

Step 20

Now it is time to work on the dirt at the bottom of the text. Double click on the Pencil Tool (N) in the Tools Panel to bring up the Pencil Tool Options. Change the Fidelity to 5 to get really smooth lines.

Use you Pencil Tool (N) to draw a small circular shape. Press Alt before you let go to close the shape. Next, create a Radial Gradient with the interior swatch a brown color (C=35 M=60 Y=80 K=25) and the exterior swatch a dark brown color (C=50 M=70 Y=80 K=70) . Place the spot on the first letter of your word. Scale the dot down smaller than one of the droplets.

Step 21

Repeat this till you have a pile of dirt spots on you first letter.

Step 22

Copy (Command + C) and Paste the dirt pile until you have covered the very bottom of all the letters.

Step 23

Draw a Radial Gradient ellipse like you did for the ladybug drop shadow. Squish the ellipse to about half the size. Send the ellipse behind all the artwork and set it to Multiply.

Step 24

Repeat this drop shadow under all the letters.

Step 25

For the background create a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool that is the size of you document. Give it a Radial Gradient, make the interior swatch white and the second swatch a light green (C=13 M=0 Y=38 K=0).

Final Image

Now you have a nice Green type treatment!

How to Quickly Create a Stylish Retro Text Effect

2008-11-23T00:24:00.002+05:30

How to Quickly Create a Stylish Retro Text Effect

In this tutorial we will be designing a cool retro text effect, which is growing more and more popular in today's design. Today you will learn how to use the Perspective tool to create depth and how designers can use default gradients in unusual ways!

Final Image Preview

Step 1

Before getting started, you'll have to download the font Sega from dafont and install it. Installation is quite simple, in the configuration panel you can find a folder called Fonts, simply paste the file there and then fire up Photoshop.

The first step is quite simple. Fill your original layer with black and rename it to "background." Type out the text you want, preferably something more or less square, as shown below. Make sure that the text is adjusted towards the left. Right now you should have a layer with the background color and another layer with your text. In my example, I used 100pt text for the PSD part and 72pt text for the tuts part to make the width match.

Step 2

Now let's modify the text a bit. Open up the character palette for this (Window > Character). The field below the Text Size allows you to set the kerning between characters. Kerning determines the distance between two characters in relation to each other. So when you select your Type Tool and you put it between two characters, you can adjust the spacing between these two characters.

First, let's change the color of the text to #e59710. This is a good base color when you are aiming for gold, then we can stretch our text by either using Free Transform (Command + T), or by changing the character size. After blowing up the text, my top row of text has a size of 280pt and the bottom one has a size of 194,4pt.

Now we can do the actual kerning. After having selected the Type Tool, place the cursor between the P and the S, and I set the kerning to -55. This way we get a pretty nice connection between those two characters. Then place the cursor between the S and the D, set the kerning to -40.

Step 3

Now let's style the text. Think about this for a second; we want nice gold like text, with a bit of a distinguishable edge and a slight beveled 3D look. So, we'll need to use bevel to get depth on the outside, a little bit of inner shadow for depth on the inside and a gradient for the highlights.

Now to accentuate the bevel, we will use an inner glow. While below the screenshots are placed in descending order according to the Photoshop interface. I myself will generally start by adding the gradient first, then the bevel, and then the glows and shadows.

Step 4

Time to get our perspective going! First you will have to rasterize the layer. So duplicate the text layer (Always keep an editable duplicate of a text layer! ALWAYS!) and then add another layer on top of the duplicate. Now select your duplicated text and your now empty layer, then merge them using Command + E. Unlike rasterizing a layer through the Layer tab at the top of the screen, this method will also rasterize the layer style.

In this case, it's a good thing because we want the style to move along with the distortion. If you were to do it via the Layer tab, the layer style would adjust back to a planar distortion. In short: This way is better because it gets rid of the fx sign.

Now with your rasterized type layer you should go to Edit > Transform > Perspective. Grab the top right anchor point, and while holding shift, drag it up. Additionally, you can grab the left anchor point, and holding shift, drag it down a bit to create more of a depth effect. Then scale the text down a little to get rid of the blur.

Step 5

Duplicate the distorted text two times, now drop these three layers in a layer set called "text." Change the name of the top layer (of the three) to "front," middle layer to "mid," and the bottom layer to "back."

Using the arrow keys nudge the bottom and middle layer to the right until you get something like in the image below. As you can see the "back" layer needs to be a fair bit away from the "front" layer, while the "mid" layer should be a bit closer.

Step 6

Select the "mid" layer and set the fill to 0% (the fill is located underneath Opacity in the layer palette). Now using layer styles, apply a Gradient Overlay. A quick way to do this is by selecting the Foreground to Transparent Gradient. That is the second gradient on the top row from the left, simply click on the triangle next to the gradient field to drop down the different gradients. Then change the foreground color to #008aff.

Step 7

Create a new layer above the "front" layer and call it "chrome grad." Now, Command-click on the "front" layer to get a selection area. Select the Gradient Tool (press on the paintbucket and hold, then select the gradient tool) and choose the chrome gradient. Now run this from from the top left corner to the bottom right of your selection area. Then change the Blending Mode of the layer to Soft Light.

Step 8

Create a whole new Layer Set and call it "soft flares." Now if this layer set ends up in the "text" layer set, you can simply drag it out of there and position it above the "text" layerset. Now, inside the "soft flares" layerset create a new layer and call it "highlight flare." Fill this layer with black and then go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare, and choose the 100mm Prime Lens with a default brightness of 100%.

Position the highlight where you want, I put it on the top part of the letter S in TUTS. Change this layer's Blending Mode to Soft Light and duplicate it. Now position it somewhere else, I put it between the P and the S.

Using a mask brush away a part of the duplicate because when you have two layers of black that are overlapping, it will be noticeable in the brightness of the text. Next, use a black brush to fill up all of the transparent areas on both layers, which emerged while we were rotating and resizing the flares.

This is important because again, it will be noticeable on background elements, which will be added at a later stage. It's best to fix it now, then to go back to it later on and find out which layer is causing the issue, especially in projects where layers reach beyond the 100 mark this can be a very annoying problem.

Step 9

Now as you can see on the last screenshot, both the "text" and "soft flares" sets have been dropped into the "psdtuts" set. Let's add a reflection. Duplicate this set and rasterize it as we did before. Create a new layer, select both of them, and hit Command + E.

Go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical and position the reflection under the original text. Go to Edit > Transform > Skew to fix the reflection (because we need the T of TUTS to line up). Grab the left middle anchor point and drag it up. Add a mask to the new layer called "reflection," then using a black to white gradient (you can just select the default gradient by hitting D on your keyboard to set the colors back to default), create a nice fade.

Step 10

Between the "reflection" layer and the "psdtuts" set create a new layer and name it "flare front." Fill it with black and go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare, and pick the 50-300mm Zoom at 100% brightness. Position this layer on a nice spot and set its Blending Mode to Linear Dodge (add).

Step 11

Duplicate the "flare front" layer, set the Blending Mode to Screen instead of Linear Dodge (add). Next, move it below the "psdtuts" set to position it behind the text. Let's name this layer "flare back."

Step 12

Open up a new document (Command + N) with a size of 40px by 2px. Select half of this document with the Rectangular Selection Tool and fill it with black. In order to be more accurate with the selection you can turn on the rulers by hitting Command + R. Next go to Edit > Define Pattern, and give this pattern a name.

Step 13

Close that file and go back to our original file. Just above the "background" layer, which we made at the beginning of this tutorial, create a new layer. Go to Edit > Fill, and choose the pattern we just created. This should fill the screen with the pattern. Set the fill to 0%, then through Layer Styles, add a Color Overlay with the color #dd04ad. Lower the Opacity of this Overlay to 64%.

Conclusion

Hit Command + T and resize and rotate the stripes 90 degrees. Hit enter and go to Edit > Transform > Perspective. And just like we did before, except this time on the right side you need to grab the upper corner anchor point, then while holding Shift, drag it down. This will narrow that side, in effect making it look as if it's going away from you.

On the left side, you grab the top corner and drag it up, while holding Shift, making it look as if it's coming towards you. Notice the funny effect you get with the text standing on a part of the lines, it looks as if the lines are actually bending, but they're not! And that's it! Have fun experimenting with this text effect!

How to install Brushes in Adobe Photoshop CS3

2008-11-23T00:24:00.001+05:30

How to install Brushes in Adobe Photoshop CS3

If you've downloaded the .abr file and don't know what to do next, read this tutorial.

Put the .abr file you've downloaded into the folder /Users/{username}/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop CS3/Presets/Brushes (on mac OS X) or C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop\Presets\Brushes (on Windows) .
Then open your Adobe Photoshop, active brush tool, go to option palette and click on to open the brush preset picker.

Then click on little triangel in the right upper corner.

Next on the list you choose 'Load Brushes'

In the dialog box choose the .abr file you want to load and your new brushes appear in the Brush palette and are just ready to use.

How to install Patterns in Adobe Photoshop CS3

2008-11-23T00:22:00.000+05:30

How to install Patterns in Adobe Photoshop CS3

You've downloaded new pattern and you want to load it to yous Adobe Photoshop, read this tutorial.

Put the .pat file you've downloaded into the folder /Users/{username}/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop CS3/Presets/Patterns (on mac OS X) or C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop\Presets\ (on Windows) .
Then open your Adobe Photoshop, active Paint Bucket Tool,

go to option palette and change Foreground on Pattern.

Then click on (1) to open the Pattern Picker.

Than click on little triangel in the right upper corner (2).

Next on the list you choose 'Load Patterns'

In the dialog box choose the .pat file you want to load and your new patterns appear in the Pattern Palette and are just ready to use.

Patterns

2008-11-23T00:21:00.000+05:30

Visit For Patterns:

GraDients

2008-11-23T00:19:00.001+05:30

Visit : For Gradients:

VecTor Brushes

2008-11-23T00:03:00.001+05:30

Author: JavierZhX

Photoshop brushes: 57 in set

Category: abstract

Date: 2008-01-02

File size: 2,0 MB

Downloads: 11987

Terms of use: free

Description:

57 vector brushes for PS, enjoy!

====================================================

Swirls and Seeds

Author: melemel

Photoshop brushes: 27 in set

Category: ornaments

Date: 2008-01-02

File size: 978 KB

Downloads: 22213

Description:

Set of 27 vector brushes for Adobe Photoshop. This brushes are in the organic style, including foliage and flowers. It's free for non-commercial use, for commercial purpose you have to ask author for permision.

Contact Me - Link exchange or Desgning or Suggestions

2008-11-06T20:53:00.001+05:30

Amazing Neon Lights on Fireworks

2008-11-06T20:51:00.000+05:30

After a few tests to find the right colors and lights, I've created a nice image for this tutorial. I'm gonna show you here a few steps to create neon effects on Fireworks. The process is really easy, and for the cheers of everyone, we're going to use lots of overlays, color dodges and lots of glow!

We've got our image at sxc.hu, and it's already separated in the tutorial final archive (neon_files.zip), but if you want to use another one, feel free.

STEP 1 - BACKGROUND

To begin, open a 750 x 500px file. We're going to use the "image1.jpg" file, which you may use from the final archive. After importing the image, let's darken it a little bit, and to do that, make a rectangle with Gradiente Radial with the color #000 in both sides, in the middle, make the opacity 40%. After that, apply the Overlay blend in this rectangle.

STEP 2 - SET THE BACKGROUND

Now let's darken a little bit more to make a better looking contrast when the neons start glowing. Create a shape as shown in the color #000. After that, apply a 88 Feather and blend Overlay.

STEP 3 - WOOD SIGN

To start creating the wood sign where we read Abudzeedo, pick the file "image2.jpg". Import that image and also make a 375 x 100px rectangle as shown in image 1. Now let's use the rectangle as a mask, and for that, select the wood image, cut it (CTRL + X), select the rectangle and paste it inside (CTRL + SHIFT + V). Done that, let's apply a little shadow in this object with values as shown.

STEP 4 - SIGN FRAMES

The next step will be to duplicate the layer before the sign. Done that, on the top layer, apply a Inner Bevel (Ruffle type), and apply values as shown in image 1. Apply the Overlay blend in this wood.

. After that, duplicate this layer, so we can get a better contrast for this sign. Look at the end who our layer should be. Tip: If you wish to make another type of framing, test the different types of bevel along with other values.

STEP 5 - LETTERING

In this step, we're going to right Abduzeedo in the sign; Create a #000 text. After that, apply a Overlay blend and a 100% #FFF Glow, as shown in image 1, so we can get the effect we want.

STEP 6 - LETTERING LIGHTS

In order to increase the lights a little bit, let's create a "light ball" in some points of the wood sign. For that, create 2 ellipses, one #000, the other #FFF. After that, apply a 15 Feather in each one and put one above the other. After that, group these 2 ellipses and apply Color Dodge in this group. You'll see that this will create a light effect. Now you should copy it and apply a few time in different points next to the text. In image 5 we show you where we put ours.

STEP 7 - PINK NEON

To create the Neon effect, we're gonna need 2 layers everytime, with equal texts overlayed, but if different effect in each other. Create the first text and duplicate this layer. The top layer we'll call Pink 1, and the bottom one Pink 2. Use the values we're showing you and try duplicate the effect. The colors we're using in each layer are:
Pink 1: #FFF - Glow #FF33FF
Pink 2: #F5C4D9 - Glow #FF33FF

STEP 7 - YELLOW NEON

We'll be doing the same process from step 6. We're gonna have 2 overlayed layers with the same text (Yellow 1 and Yellow 2). Try to use the right colors, blend and values in each Glow. The colors we're using in each layer are:
Yellow 1: #FFF - Glow #FFFF00
Yellow 2: #FFFF33 - Glow #FFFF33

STEP 8 - BLUE NEON

Same as before. The colors we're using in each layer are:
Blue 1: #FFF - Glow #00CCFF
Blue 2: #FFF - Glow #0099FF

Look at the end of the image who the layers order of the neons should be.

FINAL RESULT

All done, we can play a little bit with the neon colors, other backgrounds, etc. What we're doing here is playing with the tools and trying to reach a result where lights are soft but they contrast the background.
Blue 1: #FFF - Glow #00CCFF
Blue 2: #FFF - Glow #0099FF

Look at the end of the image who the layers order of the neons should be.

Create A Textured Tag For Your Website

2008-11-06T20:49:00.000+05:30

In this tutorial, we are going to create a textured tag that you can use in your website designs. Adding textured elements to modern web designs is a current trend. Learn how to create your own texture and then apply it to your design element.<

In this tutorial, we are going to create a textured tag that you can use in your website designs. Adding textured elements to modern Web designs is a current trend. Learn how to create your own texture and then apply it to your design element.

Step 1

Create a new document 500px wide by 200px height. Then set up our main background colors. Make the backgrounds we will create stretch the full document width. Create a new layer and give the top 10px a dark brown color. Also create a lighter brown 1px highlight below that. Then create a new layer from there down to the 75px mark. Make that a mid-range brown. Then create another new layer and make a light gray to a lighter gray linear gradient from there down to the 110px mark. Place a 1px white highlight below the 75px mark and a darker gray 1px highlight just below the 110px mark. Make the rest of the document background at the bottom white. This gives us a Web-style layout with a color range similar to PSDTUTS.

Step 2

Open up Illustrator. Create a new document. In step 2a make a rectangle that is 240px wide by 100px height. In step 2b use the Add Anchor Point Tool and add a couple anchor points where you want to make the shape of your tag. Use a guide to keep things lined up. Then pull your corners in 20px on the top left and bottom left corners. In step 2c draw what will become our cut-out hole in our tag. Again use guides so it is centered.

Step 3

Then use the Divide tool in the Pathfinder Palette to cut out the hole in the tag.

Step 4

Next use the Rotate tool (R) and rotate the tag -30 degrees.

Step 5

Copy our tag and paste it into Photoshop. Choose Paste as Path.

Step 6

Create a new Photoshop document that is a double the size of our tag at 580px wide by 200px height. We'll use this to make our background texture. Give it a Linear Gradient from from a mid range tan to a slightly darker tan. Draw the gradient line from the top left-hand corner down to the bottom right-hand corner.

Step 7

Turn that gradient into some texture using the settings below.

Step 8

Copy our texture into our main document and rotate it so that it is set at the same angle as our tag.

Step 9

Then go to the Paths palette and make a selection of that path. Copy the selction. Delete the layer. Then paste our tag in place. Give our tag the layer styles below to give it some depth.

Step 10

Back in Illustrator, for part 10a create a red box 170px wide by 70px height. Put the text PSDTUTS inside. Then with the text selected, go to Type > Create Outlines. Then rotate the red box with the text selected -30 degrees, see 10b below. Now we select the text and the box, and in the Pathfinder palette choose Divide. Then select each letter and delete it. So we have a red box with the letters cut out of it, see 10c below. Copy that box and head back over to our Photoshop document.

Step 11

Paste the copied text and set the layer style to Multiply.

Step 12

Grab the eraser tool and add some texture by erasing some of our red text box. You can see the erasers I used below as well as the effect on the tag.

Step 13

You may be happy with the results we have so far and want to stop apply effects to the tag. That would be fine. I'm going to go ahead and add some additional depth though. Go to Edit > Transform > Perspective and drag the left bottom handle up a little bit.

Step 14

The transform pixelated our tag a little so to clean that up, go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen. Use the settings below.

Step 15

To match the angle of our transform and to add a little bit more depth, grab the Blur Tool and apply it to the bottom right-hand corner of the tag.

Step 16

Grab the Pen Tool and draw a line that will form our cord to hold our tag in place.

Step 17

Flip over to the Brush Tool and set the brush at 3px with a Hardness of 100 percent. Make sure we have our Foreground color set to black. Switch back to the Pen Tool and either right-click or Ctrl-click and then select Stroke Path. Then get in there with a small Eraser and carefully remove the lower left part of the cord that overlaps the tag. This will make it look like the cord goes through the hole in the tag.

Step 18

Right now, the background behind the cord going through the hole is really dark. We want to be able to see that. So lets add some lighting. Copy our mid-range brown background. Go to Filter > Render > Lighting Effects and use the settings below.

Step 19

I set this copy of the background to Lighten and then moved it with the tag into the center of our document. Our final tag is shown below.

Conclusion

Creating texture is a lot of fun. It makes design elements that you create unique. Let me know if you find a cool use for your own tag design.

/p>

Step 1

Create a new document 500px wide by 200px height. Then set up our main background colors. Have these backgrounds we are about to create stretch the full document width. Create a new layer and give the top 10px a dark brown color. Also create a lighter brown 1px highlight below that. Then create a new layer from there down to the 75px mark. Make that a mid range brown. Then create another new layer and make a light gray to a lighter gray linear gradient from their down to the 110px mark. Place a 1px white highlight below the 75px mark and a darker gray 1px highlight just below the 110px mark. Make the rest of the document background at the bottom white. This gives us a web style layout with a color range similar to PSDTUTS.

Step 2

Open up Illustrator. Create a new document. In step 2a make a rectangle that is 240px wide by 100px height. In step 2b use the Add Anchor Point Tool and add a couple anchor points where you want to make the shape of your tag. Use a guide to keep things lined up. Then pull your corners in 20px on the top left and bottom left corners. In step 2c draw what will become our cut out hole in our tag. Again use guides so its centered.

Step 3

Then use the Divide tool in the Pathfinder Palette to cut out the hole in the tag.

Step 4

Next use the Rotate tool (R) and rotate the tag a negative 30 degrees.

Step 5

Copy our tag and paste it into Photoshop. Choose Paste as: Path.

Step 6

Create a new Photoshop document that is a double the size of our tag at 580px wide by 200px height. We'll use this to make our background texture. Give it a Linear Gradient from from a mid range tan to a slightly darker tan. Draw the gradient line from the top left hand corner down to the bottom right hand corner.

Step 7

Turn that gradient into some texture using the settings below.

Step 8

Copy our texture into our main document and rotate it so that it is set at the same angle as our tag.

Step 9

Then go to the Paths palette and make a selection of that path. Copy the selction. Delte the layer. Then paste our tag in place. Give our tag the layer styles below to give it some depth.

Step 10

Back in Illustrator for part 10a create a red Box 170px wide by 70px height. Put the text PSDTUTS inside. Then with the text selected go to Type > Create Outlines. Then rotate the red box with the text selected a negative 30 degrees, see 10b below. Now we select the text and the box and in the Pathfinder palette choose Divide. Then select each letter and delete it. So we have a red box with the letters cut out of it, see 10c below. Copy that box and head back over to our Photoshop Document.

Step 11

Paste the copied text and set the layer style to Multiply.

Step 12

Grab the eraser tool and add some texture by erasing some of our red text box. You can see the erasers I used below as well as the effect on the tag.

Step 13

You may be happy with the results we have so far and want to stop apply effects to the tag. That would be fine. I'm going to go ahead and add some additional depth though. Go to Edit > Transform > Perspective and drag the left bottom handle up a little bit.

Step 14

The transform pixelated our tag a little so to clean that up go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen. Use the settings below.

Step 15

To match the angle of our transform and to add a little bit more depth grab the Blur Tool and apply it to the bottom right hand corner of the tag.

Step 16

Grab the Pen tool and draw a line that will form our cord to hold our tag in place.

Step 17

Flip over to the Brush tool and set the brush at 3px with a Hardness of 100 percent. Make sure we have our Foreground color set to black. Switch back to the Pen tool and either right click or control click and then select Stroke Path. Then get in there with a small Eraser and carefully remove the lower left part of the cord that overlaps the tag. This will make it look like the cord goes through the hole in the tag.

Step 18

Right now the background behind the cord going through the hole is really dark. We want to be able to see that. So lets add some lighting. Copy our mid range brown background. Go to Filter > Render > Lighting Effects and use the settings below.

Step 19

I set this copy of the background to Lighten and then moved it with the tag into the center of our document. Our final tag is shown below.

Conclusion

Creating texture is a lot of fun. It makes design elements that you create unique. Let me know if you find a cool use for your own tag design.

Adding Flames and Effects to Make an Image with Impact

2008-11-06T20:47:00.000+05:30

The Photo

First, we need an image to work with. I chose an image of a snowboarder jumping from Stock.xchang, it's great because he's quite isolated against a straight blue background, which will make cutting him out much easier.

Step 1

Let's start off with a subtle gradient. Create a Radial Gradient ( Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient) with a black outside and a dark grey inside.

Next, import the image you wish to edit on a new layer. Scale it, place it, and cut it out. If you choose a snowboarder against a blue sky like me, it's easy to cut using color range ( Select > Color Range...) or the Magic Wand tool. I desaturated ( Image > Adjustments > Desaturate) the image because I only want the flames to be colored. This will give a punchier effect.

Step 2

Now we'll create the background and the smoke. Create a new layer under the snowboarder and use the clouds filter on it ( Filter > Render > Render Clouds. Make sure you have white and black as front and back color). Erase over the outside and over the place where snowboarder sits and then set the Opacity to 18%.

On a new layer, use the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) to create three circles and fill them with different shades of grey (start with the biggest one). You can also duplicate the layer, resize the circle (with Shift+Alt selected) and fill it with another shade. Change the opacity to make the circles less visible.

I also used a halftone effect behind the snowboarder. It doesn't add much, but if you like this detail check out Sean's Halftone Tutorial on how to achieve it.

Step 3

To create more smoke, I copied the snowboarder to a new layer and used the Smudge Tool (R) on it. Change the settings to what you see below and just move your mouse around to create a smoke-like effect. I set this layer's opacity to 40%. It's located beneath the boarder but above the other background layers.

Smudge settings:
Spacing: 10%
(In Shape Dynamics:)
Size Jitter: 46%
Minimum Diameter: 64%
Angle Jitter: 30%
Roundness Jitter: 0%
(In Scattering:)
Scatter: 43%
Count: 1
Count Jitter: 86%
(In Other Dynamics:)
Strength Jitter: 100%

Step 4

This has been discussed in other tutorials, but in case you haven't seen it explained yet, don't skip this step.

Take out the Pen Tool (P) and create a path around the snowboard and the right arm. When you're finished, right-click the path and choose Stroke Path (Set your brush to the right size first. In my case, a 1px hard brush.), you can use Simulate Pressure if you like.

Delete the vector path (Right click > Delete Path) and erase the parts you don't need (behind the board/arm) on the newly created line. In the Blending Options for this layer, I chose an orange Color Overlay and red Outer Glow set to Linear Dodge.

Step 5

Now we'll create the hardest part: the flames. Create a new layer and choose a 5px hard brush.(I chose a shade of grey because I wanted to add real color to it later. You can start with that already by choosing an orange color for this step, if you like). I used my Wacom to create some random flame-like strokes. If you're using a mouse, you can right-click anywhere on the canvas to change your brush size easily. Try varying them and make them go in one direction. I'm making most go from bottom left to upper right.

Step 6

Next, I used three filters on those flames to make them appear more realistic. I started with the ripple filter ( Filter > Distort > Ripple) at 100%. Next, I used ocean ripple ( Filter > Distort > Ocean Ripple) with default settings, this will not change the shapes but it will create some darker and lighter tones in the flames. I faded that filter ( Edit > Fade Ocean Ripple) to 40%. The last filter is a motion blur ( Filter > Blur > Motion Blur), set the angle right (45° here), and choose a low value. I changed the Opacity of the layer to 66%.

Step 7

To create even more flames, I duplicated that layer and used wave ( Filter > Distort > Wave) on it with the default values. I set the layer to orange in the preview so it would be clear what kind of outcome you can expect. I also lowered the Opacity to 66% and erased some parts that didn't look good.

Step 8

To bring out the flames more, I applied the image on a new layer ( Image > Apply Image) and gave that layer an Unsharp Mask ( Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask). Then I created a grey to orange Gradient Map ( Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map) to give the border an orange tint.

The flames are still in need of color. Ctrl+Shift+Click on all the thumbnails next to the flame layers so you have a selection of the flames. Fill this selection, in a new layer, with orange and set it to Color with an Opacity of 80%.

Conclusion

As finishing touch, we need some more light and color. Add a new layer and use apply image ( Image > Apply Image). In the lighting effects ( Filter > Render > Lighting Effects) options, add more lights to the scene (drag the light bulb icon onto the small preview). Erase the part of the snowboarder because it might get overlighted. You can set this layer to Lighten. The smoke might not be visible enough now, so if needed you can copy one of the layers and set it on top with a low opacity and erase over the main parts.

Creating realistic fire isn't easy and might not work out for the first time. But after some tries you might even end up with something better than me. If you wish to make it even more realistic, you can try to focus on the colors of the flames and give them a yellow inside and a red outside.

In any case, hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Along with the flames, the main point here is to see how a little Photoshop adornment when combined with a photo can make a really punchy graphic, especially when you contrast the black and white areas with some strong color.

Creating a cool website header in fireworks

2008-11-06T20:44:00.000+05:30

We have been posting a series of articles with simply fantastic images from the most famous graphic designers and illustrator from all around the world. Most of them have been pushing the boundaries mixing lighting effects with color overlays, and that have intrigued us.

Also, we’ve seen some websites using this style, even our new design has some of that. But in this tutorial we will show you how to create a web site header in Fireworks using elements from graphic design and applying to the web.

REFERENCES

For inspiration we selected 5 images from some articles we’ve published here on Abduzeedo. From these images we took the elements we wanted to apply in our design such as neon lights, color overlays, light effects, stars, sparks, and blurs to give the idea of movement.

Above you can see the images, in order: 1 - James White, 2 - Paul-Willock, 3 e 4 - Chuck-Anderson, 5 - Tony-Ariawan.

STEP 1

First, download this image that we're using. Create a new document with 1200x400 pixel and black background. Then place the image and resize it to fit in the canvas. Use the image below for reference.

STEP 2

Lets add a rectangle on top of the image. Fill the rectangle with a gradient, we use the Spectrum that is a default style in Fireworks. After that change the Blend Mode to Overlay. This rectangle will be on top of the other elements we will create, so you can even create another layer move this rectangle to this layer and lock it.

STEP 3

Now lets create the elements over the image like if they were lights coming from the sky. To do that create a rectangle of 360 x 95 pixels. Change the Feather to 100% and add a Diagonal Texture with 22% transparency. After that add a gradient to this rectangle as well. Use the Silver style and rotate it 45º. Use the image below for reference.

STEP 4

Move the rectangle to the top of the image. Duplicate the layer to make it increase the brightness of the light. After that duplicate one of the rectangles and move it to the right, and reduce its size just a little bit. That will give the idea that another light, less strong is coming from the top.

STEP 5

In order to create the stars we will use the Brush Tool (B). For the Stroke Type choose WaterColor>Thin, after that go to Stroke Options and use the values from the image below. Doing that we will create a brush that generate random dots. Then just select white for the color and start painting some stars in the sky. Tip: change the thickness of the brush to create different stars.

STEP 6

Now we will add the neon lines. We will use the Vector Path Tool(P) to do that. Just create some free form lines and with the Pen Tool (P) you can adjust the curved segments by just moving the anchor point. Tip: when you create the lines, try to move the mouse quickly, that will create lines with less anchor points and smoother.

STEP 7

Here you can add new elements like more stars, lights, and make some adjustments like opacities. Also you can add the logotype to create a really cool header for your website.

FINAL RESULT

The coolest thing in this tutorial is that you can play with the gradient colors of the rectangle that is on top of the other layers, and that will change all the other elements. You can create very different atmospheres to the image. Again, this was just an exercise to show you how to use the inspiration from graphic design and apply it to the web. Now it’s up to you.

Space Lighting Effects in 10 Steps - Photoshop Tutorial

2008-11-06T20:42:00.000+05:30

So in this Photoshop tutorial I will show you how to create a space scene with some nice Lighting Effects in 10 Steps.

Step 1

Create a new document, I'm using my computer screen's resolution (1440x900 pixels) so I can use it as a wallpaper later. Add a new Layer and fill it with any color then go to Layer>Layer Styles> Gradient Overlay. You can add a gradient layer as well, I simply prefer the Layer Styles.

Step 2 - Retro Colors

Create a new layer and fill it with white, then go to Filter>Render>Lighting Effects. Change the style to RGB lights. Use Negative 60 for the Intensity, Narrow 96 for the focus, and for the other options keep the same.

Step 3

Lets add some blur, go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Use 80 pixels for the Radius. The last thing here will be change the Blend Mode to Overlay. Doing that the RGB color will be hardly visible but later on with the other layers it will work ;)

Step 4 - Creating Stars

Creating Stars in Photoshop is something really easy. Create a new layer, fill it with black, and change the Blend Mode to Screen. After that go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Use 10% for the Amount, Gaussian for the Distribution and select Monochromatic. You will have a layer full of noise, then to create the start just change the levels of the layer, go to Image>Adjustment>Levels. For the Input Levels use 65, 1.00, 99. Doing that you will increase the black so just the bigger dots will appear, also you will increase the white, making the dots that appear brighter.

Step 5 - Nebula

Now that we have the stars and the colors and some colors lets create the Nebula. To do that create a new layer and go to Filter>Render>Clouds. Make sure that your color were black and white for the background and foreground. Then just add some Layer Styles to do that go to Layer>Layer Style. First over the Blending Options, change the Blend Mode to Overlay. After that select Gradient Overlay. use Overlay for the Blend Mode and for the colors use a Cyan, Green, Yellow, and Red. Also change the Angle to 130º and the Scale to 49%.

Step 6 - Lens flare

First, lets create a new layer and fill it with black, however, this time, add this layer in front of the background and beneath the other layers: (Stars and Nebula). Now go to Filter>Render>Lens Flare. This effect might be the most overused ever, like some people even say that using it you wil turn your design in an amateur piece. For me it's a nice filter and, if you use it right, it will give a nice touch to your image. For the settings use 100% Brightness and use 105mm Prime for the Lens Type.

Step 7 - Rays of Light

Now lets create the "A" of ray of lights. So create a new layer in front of the Lens Flare. Then select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) and create a rectangular selection like half of the height of the document. Use the image below for reference. After that select the Brush Tool (B). We will use a very big brush, 800px diameter and hardness 0%. Select white for the color and with just like a a bit of the brush inside the marquee (red circle) give a few clicks on the mouse button.

Step 8

Now it's just about duplicating, resizing and rotating. The tip here is convert the original ray of light layer to Smart Objects, so you will be able to resize and rotate in a non-destructive way. After you create the "A", change the blend mode of the elements to Screen and use 80% opacity.

Step 9 - Adjustments

Now lets just adjust some opacities, change the the RGB light opacity to 80% and you can move the gradient overlay to test different color combinations as well.

Conclusion

In this tutorial we've learned how to create a very cool light effect that we often see is some of the NoPattern designs. Of course this tutorial was just an example and now you can improve it and apply it to your needs.

Hulk Eyes Effect - Photoshop Tutorial

2008-11-06T20:41:00.000+05:30

Yesterday I watched the Incredible Hulk... and it was a real thrill ride. For those who are into the Marvel's Cross Universe, It was a great movie, probably not as great as Iron Man, but still a great movie. And now I'm gonna teach you how to do the Banner transforming to Hulk eyes.

This is the result we must achieve.

STEP 1

We start selecting that cool eye picture... if you want both eyes to become Hulk eyes, that's double work. For this tutorial, I'm gonna use only one eye. This is a personal picture.

Using the pen tool, select the eye. For those who are not familiar with the pen tool, you can hold and drag the pen to get curves. After doing that, right click inside it and click in "make selection". Go to Select > Modify > Feather > 5. Ok.

STEP 2

Don't loose that selection yet. Create a new layer and name it "GREEN", select it and paint inside the previous eyes selection, painting it all with just 1 click. Don't click several times, Just once. Now, invert the selection and delete... it will make our feather effect smoother. Se the GREEN Layer blending mode to Dodge Color.

STEP 3

Invert the selection once more, and after doing that, click in the Original pic layer, and click CTRL + C and then CTRL + V. That will make an eye copy... name it "EYE".

STEP 4

Now, hold CTRL and click the EYE layer we've made earlier. Go to Create new fill or adjustment layer > Hue/Saturation. For the Hue, use a value proper to your picture... make the eye gamma green.

STEP 5

We're going to use the Dodge and Burn tools. Both of them will have the same values. Range: Midtones, Exposure: 30%. Size the brush as you wish. Use these tools to enhance the areas as shown.

STEP 6

And the Hulk Eye effect is ready. Now we gotta do that greenish feel to the skin. Make a new layer right above the Original layer, fill it with black, set Blending Mode: Hue, Opacity: 40%. Name it "BLACK HUE".

STEP 7

Repeat the same step, but this time, instead of filling this layer with black, use a really dark green. I'm using #030b00 here. Blending Mode: Hue, Opacity: 30%. Name it "GREEN HUE".

STEP 8

Now we must sharp the picture a little bit. Select the ORIGINAL layer, and go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. Set the values as shown. Do the same for the EYE layer, but instead of using 5 for Radius, use 3.

STEP 9

We also gotta set the mood. If your pictures lacks lighting, this is a important step. Click the ORIGINAL Layer, and select the eyes area. Go to Select > Modify > Feather > 40. Invert the selection and go to Image > Adjustments > Levels > 0,50 (for the middle value).

STEP 10

Without losing this selection, create a new layer called "SHADOW" and fill it with black. Set the Blending mode to Overlay, Opacity: 50%.

FINAL RESULT

And we're done! Now we got the awesome Hulk Eyes effect. I hope I made myself clear, and that all of you got the same effect. Enjoy, and cheers! :)

Learn How to Digitally Paint an Underwater Galaxy

2008-11-06T20:36:00.000+05:30

Final Image Preview

Preliminary Tip

This is a quick tip that will help you with navigating your layers. This will help a lot in all of your projects in the future. Instead of scrolling through all of your layers in the layer dialog box, try the following tips instead.

With the Move-Tool (V) selected, hold your mouse over the layer you want to select. Then press Ctrl + Right-click. This will bring up a drop-down menu where you can select all the layers that are located under your cursor. Then select the layer you want to work with.

If you don't name your layers you can guess and then move it around with the mouse to see if you got the right one (naming your layers is a better practice). Press Ctrl+Alt+Z to step backwards until you've found it, and move it back where you had it originally.

Step 1

Create your document 1680 pixels by 1050 pixels at 300 dpi. This will be good for a widescreen monitor desktop and give you a good amount of pixels to work with detail. You can make it bigger or smaller depending on your screens resolution. After this, fill your background layer with black. Then, on a new layer, drag a white radial gradient into the center of the document. Set the opacity to 50%.

Step 2

Create a new layer. Then with a huge feathered brush paint a big circle in the center of your gradient.

Step 3

Select Filter > Distort > Twirl, and set it to -200. Hit Ctrl+F until you get the desired degree of spiral.

Step 4

Right-click on your layer, and select Free Transform. Then while holding Ctrl+Shift+Alt, drag the bottom left outside corner out as I did to give it a skew. Also, rotate it a little to make it a bit more random.

Step 5

Now for creating some surfacing air bubbles! Let’s make a quick paint brush to do this. Create a new document 300 pixels by 300 pixels at 300 dpi. Draw a circle with the Elliptical Marque Tool, while holding Shift to keep it proportional.

Step 6

Drag a Radial Gradient from the top left of the circle to the bottom outside right of the circle.

Step 7

Paint a highlight at the top left of the bubble. Use a small feathered white brush for this.

Step 8

Marquee around the bubble you drew and go to Edit > Define Brush Preset.

Step 9

Now open up your Brush Engine by clicking on the Brush Engine Icon. You’ll see your new Bubble Brush at the bottom! Select it and we'll change some of the dynamics.

Step 10

Turn Shape Dynamics On and set Size Jitter 100%, Minimum Diameter 34%, and set the rest to 0% to avoid squishy bubbles.

Step 11

This is really important. Turn Scattering On and play around with the settings until you get your desired flow and scatter of bubbles. If you don’t know what you want, emulate the image below. Another option is to turn on Other Dynamics in order to set the Pen Pressure to vary the Opacity Flow (Some of this depends on if you have a Wacom tablet or not).

When you get the flow you want, press Create New Brush and the brush engine will play this bubble brush in your presets. The Create New Brush button is located beside the trash can at the bottom right of your brush engine box.

Step 12

Now that we have the Scattered Bubble Brush we need a watery Foam Spray Brush as well. So go find a photo of water foaming as it hits the shore of a beach. I used this photo because of the contrast between the spray and the blue.

Select some of the white foam spray with the Square Marquee Tool. Copy the area you selected and create a new document. Then paste your copied selection into your new document.

Step 13

Now that we have the scattered bubble brush we need a watery Foam Spray Brush. So go find a photo of water foaming as it hits the shore of a beach or something. I used this photo because of the contrast between the spray and the blue.

Select some of the white foam spray with the Square Marquee Tool. Copy the area you selected and create a new document. Paste your copied selection into your new document.

Once you have your image selection in your new document press Ctrl+I to invert the white to black. Then press Ctrl+L, and move the right slider to the right to increase the contrast between the white and black.

Step 14

Paint around the edges of the splatter with a white feather brush.

Step 15

Copy the foam spray four times and make it into a full circle. You’ll have to do this after increasing the canvas size of the document (Image > Canvas Size).

Step 16

Merge the layers after you have a good result. Then select around the splatter, and create a new brush with this (Refer to step 8). Then open the Brush Engine again, and apply the same effects as you did to the bubbles (Refer to steps 9 and 10, skip the scattering though).

Now we paint. There are three different techniques to do this. You can use any of them for painting.

Create a new layer. If you have a Wacom tablet, apply less pressure behind the spiral and more in the front.
If you don’t have a Wacom Tablet, you can manually change the brush sizes as you paint around the spiral. Press the Left Bracket Key to lower brush size and press the Right Bracket Key to increase brush size, as in the image below.
Use the pen tool to draw a path around the galaxy then stroke it with the Stimulate Pressure Enabled. Make sure when you do this you have your new foam spray brush active. Again, you can refer to the tutorial taught by Collis in his Advance Glow Effects tutorial.

Create another new layer. Make sure when you do this you have your new Foam Spray brush Active and brush on the right as well, as shown below.

Step 17

Create a new layer, grab the Bubble Brush, and use the same techniques to paint the bubbles. Stroke the Pen Path, or paint it manually.

Step 18

Create a new layer, increase the brush size, paint some of the bubbles in the foreground. Convert the foreground bubbles layer into a Smart Object, and apply a Gaussian blur. You can then use a large Feather Brush, with black set at 60% Opacity, and paint the inner edges of the columns of the bubbles to imitate a difference in focus.

Step 19

At the bottom of the Layers Dialog Box Click on the Adjustment Layer Button and select Hue/Saturation. Set the Hue to 202 and the Saturation to 47. Also, check the Colorize Box.

Step 20

Now we need to make something like a sound wave. There are two ways of doing this as well.

You can duplicate the swirl you made in step 3, and bring it to the top layer. Then apply a swirl about 10-20 times in order to make a thin lined swirl.
You can do this in Illustrator using the Blend Tool. To do this you make two stroked circles. Then using the Blend Tool click on the inner circle. Then the outer circle. Then Double-click on the Blend Tool. Change the option to Specified Steps and set it to 10. After this you drag your progressing circles into your Amazon Galaxy design in Photoshop.

Step 21

Once you have this ‘progressive circle’ in Photoshop, press Ctrl+I to invert it to white. Then change the Blend Layer to Overlay, and Rasterize the layer. Then skew the layer to sit in the galaxy (refer to step 4).

Step 22

Now you’ve got to make some underwater plant life. Do this with the Pen Tool and a hard edge brush without changing the opacity. After you’ve got some plant life ready, convert it to a Smart Object. Then apply a gaussian blur, and you’ve got some foreground ‘out-of-focus’ going on, which is what you want.

Step 23

Above the layer with the white radial gradient, create a new layer. Put a nice texture on there set to Multiply. I created my own mock 3D texture using the Render Lighting Filter.

Create a new layer on top of the top layer. Then paint a big feathered circle in the middle of the galaxy (where most galaxies are brightest). Apply an Outer Glow set to Hard Mix. You just want a nice glow in the center.

Step 24

We need some fish. I found a good photo of a school of piranhas. Outline one at a time with the Pen Tool. Then Right-click on the path, and select Create Vector Mask. Now drag and drop the layer with your fish into the main Photoshop design document.

Step 25

Double-click on the layer with the fish layer to open layer styles. Apply Inner Shadow to the side of the fish opposite to the light from the galaxy. Set the Distance to 15, Choke to 0, and Size to 13 (Increasing the distance is important because it makes the shadow only hit the specific side). Also, applying an Inner Glow set to Hard Mix is nice as well.

Step 26

Repeat the previous steps on several fish swimming in different perspectives to increase the variety of your composition (refer to the final image to see how the fish fill the layout).

Then select all the different layers that involve the galaxy (bubbles, foamy spray and the ‘progressing circles’), and move them into a better position in the document. I didn’t like the galaxy just sitting plainly in the center. Composition is key!

Step 27

Now paint some swirls in Illustrator and use the Blend Tool again to merge them. Repeat Step 20 on these two swirls and move them into Photoshop. If you prefer, you can paint some swirls in Photoshop instead. Use the Pen Tool and Stroke them with a Hard Edge Brush selected.

Step 28

Now create some text in Illustrator with a cool font, and go to Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. Select More Options, and change all the Rotations to 0%. Set the perspective to 160. Drop the Ambient Light to 25. Once rendered, drag and drop this into Photoshop.

Step 29

Throw a Stroke on the logo, a Drop Shadow, and an Outer Glow set to Hard Mix. Convert it to a Smart Object, apply a Gaussian Blur, and then paint on the Smart Object Layer with a large black feather to sharpen the inside of the text. Make it look blurred as if it is underwater.

Finally, you’ll want to paint some bubbles around the fish to show they are in action. Add a vignette with the Gradient Tool, and make sure your Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer is the top layer.

Conclusion

There you go! To make this work you might want to observe some underwater photos. Notice how the bubbles move and how objects blur when underwater. That will help you with how to compose your art. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I did creating it!

Create an amazing Ad in Photoshop

2008-11-06T20:34:00.000+05:30

This tutorial is just an exercise I did with my friend Cameron trying to create a Nike ad, it's not commercial, it's just because we love some of their ads and we'd love to be able to design one, maybe someday. So in this tutorial we will use some images and play with Blend Modes and Color Adjustments to create a really cool Nike Ad in Photoshop.

Step 1

Open Photoshop and create a new document. I used 1920x1200. After that select the background layer and go to Layer>Layer Style>Grandient Overlay. Use #150b06 and # 321c0f for the gradient colors, Radial for Style and Normal for Blend Mode.

Step 2

Create a new layer and go to Filter>Render>Clouds. Make sure that the colors were black and white for the foreground an background.

Step 3

Change the Blend Mode of the Clouds layer to Color Dodge.

Step 4

Select the Eraser Tool (E). Use a regular brush. Change the Hardness to 0% and use a big size. Now erase some areas, just leave the center like the image bellow.

Step 5

Place the logo and aling it in the center of the document. Go to Layer>Layer Styles>Outer Glow. Use #fffde2 for the color, Color Dodge for the Blend Mode, 80% opacity, 18% for the Spread and 18 pixels for the Size. That will create a nice glowing logo.

Step 6

This tip was from my friend Cameron, he sent me this image and told me that it would be a nice way to create some effects like the Hejz work. You can download the image here.

Step 7

Cut an area of the image and paste it in your document. Rotate and resize it to fit with the symbol. After that change the Blend Mode to Screen.

Step 8

Now go to Image>Adjustments>Levels. Increase the black and the a bit of the white of the image. That's necessary to match the colors of the image with the backgournd.

Step 9

Go to Edit>Transform>Scale, reduce the size of the streaks. Then go to Edit>Transform>Warp. Move the grid to make the streaks follow the symbol.

Step 10

Go to Image>Adjustments>Hue and Saturation. Increase the Saturation and the Hue. Reduce the Lightness.

Step 11

Duplicate the sparks layer. Go to Edit>Transform>Flip Vertical. Then resize it and adjust the position like the image below.

Step 12

Copy another art of the original Photo and paste it in your document. Repeat the steps 8, 9, and 10.

Step 13

Repeat again the Steps 8,9, and 10 to create a tail to the symbol, like the image below.

Step 14

Now lets create some stars, I have explained this in other tutorials so I won't spent too much time again. Basically just create a new layer and fill it with black. Make sure you have black and white for the background and foreground colors. Then go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Use Gaussian for, 15% Amout, and Monochromatic. Then change the layer's Blend Mode to Screen and go to Image>Adjustments>Levels. Increase the black and white levels untill you get nice stars. Then just repeat the same steps again in this same layer.

Step 15

Here it's just to illustrate the idea I had of this golf player that hit the ball and the ball was the commet thing. So I used a photo from iStockphoto.com, you can buy it here.

Step 16

Place the golfer in your image and align it at the botton of the page. Also select the Brush Tool, use #d88c4d for the color and with a big brush, very soft create a light behind the player. Use 25% Opacity.

Conclusion

Now just add some texts and other small effects like the glow behind the golf club. This sort of exercise is really cool because we can learn a lot from how to create some effects or famous brand styles such as Nike, Apple, Adidas, and others. These companies have their own style so you can play with that in order to learn how to reproduce that in your own design.

Typography Wallpaper in Photoshop

2008-11-06T20:22:00.000+05:30

Here is a quick tutorial from one of our latest designs. Hopefully this tutorial can benefit in your pursuit of becoming a better designer.

Step 1

Create a new document at 1200 x 800 pixels with a resolution of 72dpi. Start off by importing all of your vector designs separately into a Photoshop canvas. In this case we divided our vectors into 3 separate smart objects and dragged them into the Photoshop canvas.

Step 2

Hide all vectors and create a new text box. In this case I typed out the name of our company, "Creative Volition Inc.". The font we chose was "ITC Avant Garde Gothic". Keep your font in full caps, especially if your using this one! Continue to copy/paste your text across the text box.

Step 3

Text settings: 16pt font, Regular, 16pt height spacing, Color #404040.

Step 4

Continue to copy/paste the text until it fills the entire canvas. Stretch the box out using the text tool until it expands beyond the canvas size.

Step 5

Once the text box is filled completely with the copy begin to rotate the box clockwise in about a 45 degree angle.

Step 6

Make one of the smart objects visible. Command/Apple click the preview box on the layer panel to create marching ants around your object.

Step 7

Once the marching ants appear, hide your smart object so you can see the selection.

Step 8

Rasterize the type layer and with the marching ants active on your rasterized layer click Edit > Cut.

Step 9

Then click Edit > Paste and align your new layer so all the words connect. Open the Layer Style box and change the "Color Overlay" to white.

Step 10

Continue to do the same procedure with your other smart object layers but make sure to always cut from the rasterized layer.

Step 11

Lastly create a new layer and fill it with any color. Place this layer on top of all other layers. Drop the fill down to 0%. Open the Layer Styles box and change the inner glow to the following settings and click OK.

Conclusion

Thats it! You should now have a beautiful design in front of you.

Smoke Type in Photoshop in 10 Steps

2008-11-06T20:02:00.003+05:30

In this tutorial I will show you how to create a smoke typography effect playing with some brushes and adjustment layers. It's a very easy tutotial and you will be able to do the whole process in 5-10 minutes.

Step 1

Open Photoshop and create a new document, I used 1920x1200 pixels. Then apply a gradient, you could fill it with a gradient or apply a Layer Style. I used the layer style, Gradient Overlay. Use Radial for the Style and #07090a - #202b35 for the colors.

Step 2

Add some text in white then go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur. Use 90º for the Angle, and 40 pixels for the Distance.

Step 3

Now go to Filter>Distort>Wave. use 3 for the Number of Generators, 10 and 346 for the Wavelength, and 5 and 35 for the Amplitude.

Step 4

Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Use 10 pixels for the Radius. Then group the layer and rename the folder's Blend Mode to Color Dodge. You will get a nice light effect.

Step 5

Create a new layer on top of the others and go to Filter>Render>Clouds, make sure you had black and white for the background and foreground colors, then change the Blend Mode to Color Dodge and go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. With a very soft brush, 0% hardness and black color, hide some areas of the clouds layer. Use the image below for reference.

Step 6

Create a new Folder on the Layers' Palette. Change the folder's Blend Mode to Color Dodge and add a new layer in it. Then use the Smoke Brushes from Qbrushes . Select white for the color and paint over some letters. If you think the brush is not very bright, just click twice.

Step 7

Paint a few more smokes like the image below.

Step 8

Create a new layer beneath the other layers but in front of the Background layer. Fill this layer with black and go to Filter>Texture>Texturizer. Use 100% for the Scaling and 4 for the Relief. For the Texture use Canvas and Light use Top. That will add a nice texture to the image but you will need to change the opacity to 10%.

Step 9

This is a nice new feature in the new Photoshop CS4, actually there's nothing new just the Adjustments palette, but it's very useful because you can edit all the image adjustments like Levels, Hue & Saturation, Curves in that palette. However it just adds a Adjustment Layer, that could be done in the previous versions too.

Anyway, on top of the other layers just add the Invert adjustment. You can go to Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Invert. It will be the same. You will get a very nice effect, like burning paper.

Conclusion

One of the best things in Photoshop is the Brushes Engine and all the things we can create with brushes. With so many excellent sites with Brushes like Brusheezy, Tutorial9, QBrushes, DeviantArt, and PSDTUTS we can find practically all sorts of effects and elements ready to be used in our designs. That means we can focus on ideas rather than figure out ways to recreate things. Also we have 2 very different effects with just one adjustment layer, the Invert. Once again, it's all about playing. I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial, and let me know if you have any questions.

Creating A Fantastic Fantasy Night Sky In Photoshop

2008-11-06T20:02:00.001+05:30

So in this tutorial, I will show you how to create cartoon-style clouds using Photoshop and a bit of Illustrator.

Step 1

Create a new document. Double-click on the background layer to open the Layer Styles dialog box. Select Gradient Overlay. For the colors, use three colors: pink, blue, and black. Select Radial for the Style.

Step 2

Create a new layer and rename it to"ps clouds." Make sure that the foreground is white and the background is black. Go to Filters>Render>Clouds. Tip: Hold the "Alt" key to create a stronger effect.

Step 3

To create the clouds we will use the Brush Engine. Create a new Folder and name it "cloud." Select the Brush Tool and set the brush properties as shown below. The secret is the spacing and the Size Jitter. After that, you can save the brush.

Step 4

We have the brush—now lets create the cloud style. Create three new layers inside the "cloud" folder, and name them "front," "middle," and "last." Double-click on the "front" layer to open the Layer Styles dialog box and select Gradient Overlay, Bevel and Emboss, and Inner Glow. Copy the Layer Style and apply to the other two layers.

Step 5

Using the brush we created, start painting the clouds. Tip: The volume will be created using the layer order, like in the image below.

Step 6

After you've painted your cloud, select the folder and convert it to a Smart Object. Duplicate the layer and change the blend mode to Multiply. Group the two layers and rename it to "Cloud 1."

Step 7

Repeat Steps 4, 5, and 6. It's not necessary to repeat the Layer Style steps though, just Copy and Paste the Layer Style. Create four clouds and place them like in the image below.

Step 8

Select any cloud folder and convert it to a Smart Object. Change the Blend Mode to Overlay. After that duplicate the layer and group the two layers. Rename the group to "clouds back."

Step 9—Rainbows in Illustrator

In Illustrator select Ellipse Tool (L) and create a circle. Set the Stroke weight to 40px with a purple color.

Step 10

Start adding more strokes to the ellipse, increasing the weight by 40px so there will be a 40px purple, 80px cyan, 120px green, 160px yellow, and 200px red. After that copy the vector and go back to Photoshop.

Step 11

Back in Photoshop, paste the vector and choose Paste as Pixels. After that, using the Magic Wand Tool (W), select the white part of the rainbow and delete it. Then convert it to a Smart Object and group it. Rename the group "rainbow 1."

Step 12

Place the rainbow between two clouds and using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L), select the part of the rainbow you want to hide. Then select the group (not the layer), and go to Layer>Layer Mask>Hide Selection and hide that area.

After that you can duplicate the "rainbow 1" group in order to create another rainbow.

Step 13

Create four new layers and paste on them the same Layer Style we used for the clouds. Select the Brush Tool and create another brush like the images below. Then create small clouds where the rainbows touch the clouds at the beginning and end of the rainbows.

Step 14

Create a new layer beneath the clouds and rainbows. Fill it with black and change the Blend Mode to Color Dodge. Again select the Brush Tool and create another Brush in order to create the stars.

Step 15

Repeat step 14; however, this time select a circle shape instead of the star. Reduce the size of the brush, and create the rounded stars.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we used mostly the Brush Engine and Layer Styles. It's amazing what you can do using only those two features! Here we created clouds but by changing some settings, we can create a completely different effect.

Amazing Photoshop light effect in 10 Steps

2008-11-06T19:59:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Create a new document, apply a Layer Style on the background layer. Add a Gradient Overlay and a Pattern Overlay.

Step 2

Here I've used an icon I found on a cool site, but you can use whatever you want.

Step 3

Select the Ellipse Tool (U) and create a shape like I did. After that apply a Gaussian Blur (Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur) with radius of 30px.

Step 4

Create a new Folder name it “Light Effects”. Change its blend mode to Color Dodge, and move the ellipse you created to this folder.

Step 5

In order to create the sparks we will use the amazing brush engine. Add a new layer, inside the “Light Effects” layer, set white for the color and follow the images below.

Step 6

Using the Layer Styles add a Outer Glow to the sparks

Step 7

Lets add some smoke. Create a new Layer, call it “Smoke”. Change its blend mode to Color Dodge and select the Lasso Tool. Set 40px for Feather and create a selection like I did below. After that make sure that the foreground is white and the background is black and apply a Filter>Render>Clouds. Tip: Continue applying the filter until you get the best clouds.

Step 8

Add some text and using the Layer Styles again lets create a nice effect.

Step 9

Place your logo and you can even add more effects , but then you will have to follow that tutorial ;).

Conclusion

I have to say, if you know a bit of Layer Styles and the Brush engine in Photoshop you will be able to create amazing effects. It will depend exclusively on your imagination and playing with the tool. Sometimes just changing a some settings and you get a totally different effect.

Magic lighting effect in photoshop

2008-11-06T19:37:00.001+05:30

Magic lighting effect in photoshop

Well what I want to show here is how to create a nice light and magic effect.

1 - Create a radial gradient, in this case from a purple to a really dark purple

2 - Here I added a really cool Icon of a magic hat from the Crystal Clear Collection by Everaldo

3 - Add some text, I used the source code of a site to get the text and apply the Distort >Wave filter

Create two stripes of text

4 - Rotate and place the text

5 - Add some light using glow : Use different values for each line of text, the secret here is the blending option COLOR DODGE..

Change the values of Spread, Size and Range

6 - Group the 2 lines of texts and with one apply a mask to make the stripes disappear at their ends.

7 - With the other group of text apply a gausian blur, after that delete some parts to show the non-blury text.

This will add a movement feel to the text, like they are really being magicaly created.

8 - Create a new layer below the text and with a regular big brush like 100px add a spot of light in white.

The layer must be below the text, otherwise the glow will not affect the white spot

9 - Make some smoke again, I used the eraser, I could've used the liquify as well

10 - Create a cloud: to do that make use a marquee with feather set to a value bigger than 20 and apply the render>clouds holding the command key(mac), ctrl key(win).

The same as the previous post, and the most important thing apply the COLOR DODGE blending options on it

11 - Sparks: For the sparks create a brush, play with the shape dynamics, scatering, and other dynamics. After that, apply a Outer Glow and Inner Glow to create the magic effect.

End - The result is really simple but at the same time it looks beautiful.

The whole process took me about 35 minutes, one thing I think is really cool is to apply the color dodge blending option to folder, and put blured elements inside of it. Using it you can create some really amazing light effects.

Emoticons

2008-10-19T15:52:00.000+05:30

emoticons

ADIUMOS_ALERT.png

ADIUMOS_ONLINE.png

AFTER LONG RUN.png

AFTER RUN.png

ANGEL.png
1 Comment

BLUE KITTY.png

CHAT BUBBLE.png

DESKTOP10.png

DEVIL.png

DRAGON.png

EMOTICON ANGRY.png

EMOTICON BIG SMILE.png

EMOTICON BLINK.png

EMOTICON HOLY.png

EMOTICON MONEY.png

EMOTICON SAD.png

EMOTICON SMILE.png

EMOTICON SUN.png

EMOTICON SURPRISED.png

FEARED.png

FOXY LADY.png

GENERIC.png

GREEN BUG.png

HAPPY DESTROY.png

HAPPY FEW.png

HEINS_DESKTOP_LOOKUPS AUDIONPOLICE.png

HEINS_DESKTOP_LOOKUPS BILL.png

HEINS_DESKTOP_LOOKUPS BRUCE.png

HEINS_DESKTOP_LOOKUPS DIEDERIEKJE.png

HEINS_DESKTOP_LOOKUPS HENK.png

HEINS_DESKTOP_LOOKUPS JOHN.png

HEY BABY.png

KISS ME.png

LOGO.png

MACOS SMILEY.png

MATRIX.png

OHH.png

ORANGE KITTY.png

OWL.png

PIRACY.png

POLYPHEME.png

popo_emotions_full_version adore.png

popo_emotions_full_version after_boom.png

popo_emotions_full_version ah.png

popo_emotions_full_version amazed.png

popo_emotions_full_version angry.png

popo_emotions_full_version bad_smelly.png

popo_emotions_full_version baffle.png

popo_emotions_full_version beat_brick.png

popo_emotions_full_version beat_plaster.png

popo_emotions_full_version beat_shot.png

popo_emotions_full_version beated.png

popo_emotions_full_version beauty.png

popo_emotions_full_version big_smile.png

popo_emotions_full_version boss.png

popo_emotions_full_version burn_joss_stick.png

popo_emotions_full_version byebye.png

popo_emotions_full_version canny.png

popo_emotions_full_version choler.png

popo_emotions_full_version cold.png

popo_emotions_full_version confuse.png

popo_emotions_full_version cool.png

popo_emotions_full_version doubt.png

popo_emotions_full_version dribble.png

popo_emotions_full_version embarrassed.png

popo_emotions_full_version extreme_sexy_girl.png

popo_emotions_full_version feel_good.png

popo_emotions_full_version go.png

popo_emotions_full_version haha.png

popo_emotions_full_version hell_boy.png

popo_emotions_full_version hungry.png

popo_emotions_full_version look_down.png

popo_emotions_full_version matrix.png

popo_emotions_full_version misdoubt.png

popo_emotions_full_version nosebleed.png

popo_emotions_full_version oh.png

popo_emotions_full_version ops.png

popo_emotions_full_version pudency.png

popo_emotions_full_version rap.png

popo_emotions_full_version sad.png

popo_emotions_full_version sexy_girl.png

popo_emotions_full_version shame.png

popo_emotions_full_version smile.png

popo_emotions_full_version spiderman.png

popo_emotions_full_version still_dreaming.png

popo_emotions_full_version sure.png

popo_emotions_full_version surrender.png

popo_emotions_full_version sweat.png

popo_emotions_full_version sweet_kiss.png

popo_emotions_full_version tire.png

popo_emotions_full_version too_sad.png

popo_emotions_full_version waaaht.png

popo_emotions_full_version what.png

RED BEAR.png

ROSWEL.png

SAD.png

SIMPSONS_BART.png

SIMPSONS_GRAMPA.png

SIMPSONS_HOMER.png

SIMPSONS_LISA.png

SIMPSONS_MAGGIE.png

SIMPSONS_MARGE.png

SIMPSONS_PATTY.png

SIMPSONS_SANTAS.png

SIMPSONS_SELMA.png

SIMPSONS_SNOWBALL1.png

SIMPSONS_SNOWBALL2.png

SMILE.png

SPEAKING.png

SUNNY.png

TEENAGE.png

TIRED AND DANGEROUS.png

UNICORN.png

VERY SAD.png

WATCH YA.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS ANGRYBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS BLACKBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS BOMBSBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS DESKTOP BOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS FIRST DAY WORK AT XP.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS GLASSESBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS LOOKBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS NOTHINGBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS OEFFFBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS SECOND DAY WORK AT XP.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS SHAMEBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS SLEEPBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS SPYBOMB.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS SURPRISE.png

WHERE ARE THE BOMBS WHERE ARE THE BOMBS_.png

WINK.png

YAZOO_SMILIES ANGRY.png

YAZOO_SMILIES BIG_SMILE.png

YAZOO_SMILIES CONFUSED.png

YAZOO_SMILIES COOL.png

YAZOO_SMILIES CRAZY.png

YAZOO_SMILIES EMBARRASED.png

YAZOO_SMILIES LOL.png

YAZOO_SMILIES OOOOH.png

YAZOO_SMILIES ROLL_EYES.png

YAZOO_SMILIES SAD.png

YAZOO_SMILIES SMILE.png

YAZOO_SMILIES TOUNGE_OUT.png

YAZOO_SMILIES WINK.png

YAZOO_SMILIES WINK_ALT.png

YELLOW KITTY.png

Retro Paper! Create a retro style wallpaper effect!

2008-10-18T18:32:00.000+05:30

Retro Paper! Create a retro style wallpaper effect!

This tutorial will show you a simple method to create an effecive wallpaper that you can use for your desktop
or for any sort of web background.

Let's
start to create an attractive desktop. We’ll create a new file using
dimensions1024x768 (depending on the resolution you have on the screen)
and 72 dpi. Next step includes choosing the instrument (Gradient tool ).
Here
we choose the gradient shown with a red pointer. We expose the colors
by pressing the squares indicating colors. Next to them are shown the
colors codes, which are demonstrated on the picture with the red color
also.

Next to them are shown the colors codes, which are demonstrated on the picture with the red color also.

Then choosing the (Gradient Tool ) we begin to draw the paint starting with the lower left corner to the upper right corner.

Then we take the instrument (Elipse tool )
keeping the mouse pressed, choose the square figure. Then we draw a
rectangle in a way that it must be upper than the background, like in
the picture. After that we set out 15%, shown with the red color.

Now we start to create this kind of circles, choosing again the (Elipse tool instrument ). We draw the circle by holding on Shift button and set out 0% in the red function.

Then
we drop in Blending Options function.It is possible by pressing the
right mouse’s button on the level you want to use this function. Expose
everything the way it is done in the picture.

Then
we’ll copy the created circle, almost the same like in the previous
picture. Now we create figures like this, using the (Pen tool ) and color code 9bflc0. It is possible to create the circles choosing again the (Ellipse tool )

Also you may add black figures with 06913e color code on the levels created earlier.

Now we create a new level covering the previous one. Using the (Brush tool ) with black color and an opacity of 10% we paint the corners, like in the picture.

Now
we’ll take the picture with the girl. Press the button combination
(Shift Ctrl U) and the picture will become of black and white color
(pict.1). Then we’ll delete the background (pict.2) using the button
combination Ctrl U.

We represent everything like in the picture. As a result we’ll have a green girl (pict.3).

We’ll
expose the girl all over the levels. Now we have to add only the
reflection on the floor. Copy the level with the girl and this copy
we’ll position in a vertical line using the function “free transform”
from the right button of the mouse.

Set out Fill on 43% like in the picture.

The final result.

How to create a rainbow girl illustration

2008-10-18T18:26:00.001+05:30

How to create a rainbow girl illustration

How to create a rainbow girl illustration.

On a new uncolored background with the dimensions 500x400, 72dpi create the next picture using the tool :

For your convenience are indicated the color code. Keep using the same instrument, we’ll create the next picture:

…and more:

In this way we got a colored picture:

We’ll add some extra-effects using instruments Blending options, the function Drop Shadow.

…and we got:

We’ll black out the right picture’s edge choosing the instrument Gradient tool and we got the next picture:

After that we’ll take the girl’s picture and cut out the background using the instrument :

Then,
on the same file with the right button of the mouse choose Blending
options. Choose Colour Overlay and set out the black colour:

Now the girl became a silhouette:

We
have to add only the girl’s shadow. We’ll copy the girl’s background
and the copy we’ll transform using the function Free Transform provoked
by the right mouse’s button. Move the shadow on a short distance and on
the shadow’s background we’ll change the opacity like this:

Put through everything together and we got the next picture:

Create a Vector Style Illustration in Photoshop

2008-10-18T18:15:00.000+05:30

Create a Vector Style Illustration in Photoshop

Final Image Preview

Let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Click the
screenshot below to view the full-size image. As always, the layered

Step 1

Before we start we need to find our inspiration. For this tutorial, I used this photograph I found at . After downloading the image, open it in Photoshop.

Step 2

You'll be using many layers to create this artwork, so try to keep
everything organized. Create a new layer over the image and name it
"Head." Then grab your Pen Tool (P), and make sure it's set to Paths.

Step 3

Hold Ctrl Space to select your Zoom Tool. Then zoom into the
model's face. Trace the outline of her face. Don't worry about the
parts covered by the hair. They'll be taken care of soon. After
finishing, select the color #decfb8 and fill the shape.

Step 4

Create a new layer over the "Head" layer and name it "Hair." Repeat
the same process you did with the face. Then take care with the inner
side of the hair, as it will define the shape of her face. Don't worry
about all hair details yet though. Then fill the shape with black.

Step 5

By now you should have something similar to the image below. It's strange so far, but we'll make it nice.

Step 6

Create two more layers under the "Head" layer and name them: "Body"
and "T-Shirt." The "T-Shirt" layer should be over the "Body" layer, and
both under the "Head" layer.

Repeat the same process. Beginning with the body and neck, and fill
the shape with the same color as the head. Notice it's only important
to correctly draw parts that won't be covered by the other layers. Then
create the "T-Shirt" and fill it with a light blue.

Step 7

Now a tricky part, the Eyes. Maybe you would like to create a Layer
Set only for the eyes, since we're going to use many layers. Create a
new layer called "Eye." Then Zoom in and draw the shape around both
eyes. Then fill it with white.

Step 8

Create a new layer, and name it "Iris." Draw the path around the iris and fill it with black.

Step 9

Create a new layer, and name it "Eyelash." Draw the path around her
eyelash to contour the eyeball. Fill it with black. Use the Eraser Tool
to erase all the white areas that surpass the Eyelash area.

Step 10

Create a new layer, and name it "Retina." Draw the path around the retina and fill it black.

Step 11

Create a new layer, and name it "Highlights." To give the eye a
little more life, select the highlights on the iris and fill them with
white.

Step 12

Now we'll give the eyes a little depth. Select the "Head" layer.
Draw paths around the eyes. Right-click the path and choose Convert
Path To Selection. Grab the Burn Tool (0) and set it's Exposure to
around 25%. Darken those areas trying to follow the picture's intensity.

Step 13

Go a little further and darken the area around the eye using the Burn Tool.

Step 14

Go back to the "Eye" Layer and create a layer called "Eyebrows"
above it. Create a path around the eyebrows and fill it with black.

Step 15

Now you're finish with the eyes, so create a new layer outside the
"Eyes" Layer Group and call it "nostrils." Create a path around her
nostrils, right-click to transform the selection. Then fill it with the
same color you chose for her face. Open Curves (Command M), and push
the curve a little bit down to darken the color.

Step 16

Select the "Head" layer. Draw a path around the bottom edges of her
nose. Open Curves (Command M), and push the curve a little bit down
to darken the color.

Step 17

Still on the "Head" layer, select the Burn Tool (0). Then darken the
areas around her nose to give it form and depth. Use the picture as a
reference.

Step 18

Create a new layer at the top and name it "Mouth." Then draw a path around her mouth and fill it with #fcb09e.

Step 19

Draw the contour around the darker area in the middle of her mouth.
Right-click to make it a selection, then open curves (Command M) and
darken it a little.

Step 20

Select the "Head" layer. Then draw a path around the lighter skin
area on the upper part of her mouth. Use the picture below as a
reference. Open Curves (Command M), and lift the curve a little to
lighten the area.

Step 21

To finish it use the Burn Tool to darken shadow areas around her mouth in both the "Head" and "Mouth" layers.

Step 22

With the Burn Tool still selected, select the "Body" layer and darken the shadow areas in her neck.

Step 23

With the "Body" layer still selected, use the Pen Tool to select the
shadows in both her armpits. Then right-click to transform it to
selection, open Curves (Command M), and darken those areas.

Step 24

Select the "T-shirt" layer. Then use the Pen Tool to draw around the
upper lighter part of her t-shirt. Right-click to transform it into a
selection, open Curves (Command M), and lighten those areas.

Step 25

With the "T-shirt" layer still selected, the use Pen Tool to draw
around the shadows in her t-shirt. Right-click to transform it into a
selection, open Curves (Command M), and darken those areas. Then use
the Burn Tool to give it some finishing touches.

Step 26

Select the "Hair" layer. Then use the Pen Tool to draw around the fringes and give more detail to her hair. Fill it with black.

Step 27

Command-click the "Hair" layer to select it. Use the Down and Right
Arrows to move the selection a little bit down and to the right, as in
the picture.

Select "Body" layer and use the Burn Tool to make the hair shadow on
her body. Do the same in the "Head" layer. Then use the Burn Tool to
create some more shadows on her face. Use the picture below as a guide.

Step 28

Select the "Body" layer and use the Pen Tool to draw around the
shadows on her arm. Right-click to transform it into a selection, open
Curves (Command M), and darken those areas.

Step 29

Create a layer under the "T-Shirt" layer. Select the black bra on her right shoulder and fill it black.

Step 30

Create a new layer under all the others. Fill it with a cool colored
gradient background and you're done! This tutorial shows you how to
simply create vector style illustrations and use the Burn Tool to add a
bit of depth, softness, and interest to the illustration. It's a quick
and effective style for you to use in your own illustrative work. You
can view a larger final version here.

Dramatic Text on Fire Effect in Photoshop

2008-09-29T21:04:00.000+05:30

Flames are particularly hard to render in Photoshop, but in this tutorial I'll show you how to use a photograph of fire to set text to the match. We'll render the look on a nice dark background with a gorgeous text effect to complete the image.

The End Effect

Part 1—The Background

So create a new document in Photoshop at 1920px wide x 1200px high, and with the Gradient Tool (G), draw in a radial gradient of browns (#5c3d09 to #1f1409) so you get something like what is shown below.

Notice that the gradient is not centered vertically but sits toward the top. In this image we want the top of the text to be on fire, so the top part of the image should be a bit more lit up.

Step 2

As in the grass text tutorial, once again we're going to have a textured background. But rather than starting from scratch, I just copied the background from the previous tutorial, merged all the layers and desaturated to get what you see below.

If you need to make this from scratch, first visit Bittbox to get the original paper textures and then follow the previous tutorial's steps.

Step 3

Now we set the layer to Overlay and to blend the texture into the background and voila!

Step 4

Just to add a bit more texture though, let's run the Texturizer filter. To do this, create a new layer and fill it with a brown/beige color—#66500f. Then go to Filter > Texture > Texturizer and use the Canvas texture with 80% Scaling and Relief set to 4.

Step 5

Once you have your texturized layer, set that to Overlay. This adds some extra fine detail to our texture which is good because we're working on such a big canvas.

Step 6

Next we're going to apply a layer to slightly desaturate the bottom half of the image. This is so that the top looks like it has a warmer glow where the flames are, while the bottom looks a little colder.

So create a new layer and fill it with the color #4b4f3b. Then add a layer mask with a gradient to mask out the top and fade down (so you get the effect shown).

Now set the layer to Color and 45% Opacity.

Part 2—Text + Glow = Awesomeness

OK, we now have a nice background! So let's add some text. I've used the font Trajan because it's a really dramatic looking font. Here I've placed the text in the color #cb9328, then set it to Linear Dodge (Add) with an Opacity of 8%.

What we're going to be doing with our text is making it look like the top half of the text is coming out of the background and is red hot with flames flickering off. This means we're going to run a lot of effects and apply layer masks to them so that only the top half shows while the bottom half reverts to faded out text like we have currently.

Step 8

So first create a new layer group to put all the text layers in—because there will be a lot of them.

Then duplicate the text layer and set the color of the duplicate text to #5e3f1c.

Step 9

Now set the newest text layer to Overlay and 70% Opacity. It should look kind of reddish (as shown below).

Step 10

Now duplicate the text again and set the latest duplicate to a yellowish color—#cb9328. Then set this to Linear Dodge (Add) and Opacity 30%.

Next we add a layer mask and draw a gradient so the latest text layer fades out as shown below, and beneath you can see the reddish colored combination of the bottom two text layers.

Step 11

Next we duplicate the text layer yet again, but put this layer right on the bottom. Set the color to black—#000000. Then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and it will ask you to rasterize the text, click yes to that, and then set the Radius to about 4px.

Then Ctrl-click any of the other text layers and go back to the black layer and hit delete so you are just left with a sort of shadow. Then duplicate this layer and merge it with the first so the effect is heavier. You should have something that looks like the screenshot below.

Step 12

Once again, add a layer mask so the shadow quickly fades out as shown. This makes it look like the text is coming out of the page.

Step 13

Now duplicate our black layer again and using the Smudge Tool (R) and a largish soft brush you want to just smudge the shadow around so it looks like burn marks.

Step 14

Here's how our text is looking now. I actually created two sets of "burn" marks, and then four sets of the shadow layer each blurred a little more than the last and each faded back.

Step 15

Now it's time to make the top part of our text glow. So first of all, duplicate the text layer again and place this layer at the very top and set it to a yellow color—#dc9a08.

Then run a Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur over it with Radius of 8px. Then grab a large soft eraser brush and just erase away parts at the bottom so it's kind of uneven.

Step 16

Set our first glow layer to Soft Light. You might want to repeat the process, erasing even more so the top part is even glowier.

Step 17

Now duplicate the text layer yet again and place this at the very top. This one should be again the same yellow (#dc9a08).

Then go to Layer > Rasterize > Type and turn the text into a flat graphic. Then Ctrl-click the layer and go to Select > Modify > Contract and use a value of 1px. Then press Delete to delete everything except that 1px outline.

Step 18

Now set the 1px layer to Overlay, and you should have something like the image below.

Step 19

Now to our 1px glow add a layer mask to fade it out down the bottom as we've been doing with the other layers.

Then duplicate the layer, and run a Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur set to 1px. Then duplicate this layer again and blur it by 2px. Then duplicate the layer again and blur it by 4px.

Then Ctrl-click any of the text layers, press Ctrl+Shift+I to inverse the selection and go through each of the glow layers and press Delete to remove any of the blur that has strayed out of the boundary of the text.

The idea is that we want the edges of the text to look red-hot with it fading in to an overall hot glow on the text.

Step 20

Next we duplicate all four of the glow layers and merge them together. This should result in a layer on top which is the original bright yellow.

Grab the Smudge Tool and run over the text, smudging it up to look like heat waves coming off the text, as shown.

Step 21

Now set this latest layer to Overlay and you should have something looking like this!

Step 22

Now we've pretty much finished our text. I went through and duplicated some of the glow layers to make it look even more fiery. Feel free to experiment with getting a real red-hot glow look by doing so.

Step 23

Next, in keeping with the last wallpaper, I've gone and added a quote underneath my main text. This provides a nice embellishment to the page. Try to use colors that fit in with the background and text layer so it doesn't stand out too much, because we really want this to be a secondary element to the main text. I've used Swiss Light Condensed as my font and laid it out just like in the previous Grass Text tutorial.

Part 3—The Flames

Finally, with all our preparation done, it's time to add the actual flames! For this, we need some images of fire set against a plain black background. A good photo is hard to find, and try as I did, I couldn't find a really great free photo. So in the end I used this photo from Fotolia which you can purchase using the link below. There was also an OK photo from Flickr which I've also linked to and which I ended up using later for the "E". So you might want to grab that too.

AcheroN—Fotolia.com
Peasap—Flickr.com

Now the technique for copying the flames over is actually really simple. I actually only learned this technique recently when reading one of Nik Ainley's tutorials for DigitalArts magazine called Create Amazing Photomontages where he did it with water.

What you need to do is:

Open up the flame image in Photoshop
Go to the Channels tab and find the channel with the highest contrast, which for images of fire should be the Red Channel, and click on it
This will make your image appear black and white, and because we're on the highest contrast layer, it will seem really bright white. Now Ctrl-click this channel and it will select all the pixels in that channel.
Click back to the RGB channel and copy the selected pixels
You can now paste the flames into your main canvas!

This is actually a really, really useful technique for copying something translucent like fire off a flat background. And as you'll see by visiting Nik's tutorial, it's also great for copying water!

Step 25

OK, so here we've pasted the flames on to our main canvas. (For clarity I've also temporarily switched off the text layers). As you can see, we've got the fire without the black background and it's partially transparent, which means it'll look super on top of our text.

Step 26

Now the next thing to do is to cut up our one bit of fire into a few pieces. Just duplicate the layer and switch off one as a backup first. Then using the Pen Tool, cut up the fire so you work with the contours of the flame so it looks natural. Here you can see I've produced four pieces of flame from the one image. You can also try flipping bits around to make them seem more random.

Set the layers to Screen mode so that any remaining black parts are totally gone, and it's even more transparent.

Step 27

Now because my text is just four letters, I need four separate pieces of fire. For the fourth one (on top of the E) I actually grabbed that Flickr photo and repeated the same process as earlier to create another flame. Also the fire on the letter I has been squashed a little as well to make it look more random.

Step 28

Applying the fire is really as easy as moving the flames over the text. You want to try to match the flames to the shape of the letter so it looks like they are dancing off the letters.

Step 29

OK here I've placed all four bits of flame over the top. It's not bad, but you can see that the I and the R have the same flame and also all the flames aren't very tall.

Step 30

So here I've gone through each flame and using the Transform Tool stretched them vertically. Also I used a bit of judicious erasing to make the flame on the I look a little more unique.

Step 31

Now to make them look even more lit up, duplicate each flame layer, run a Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur with a Radius of 3px and set the layer to 15% Opacity so it provides a bit of glow around the edges of the flames.

Step 32

So we're pretty much there! This is how the composition looks.

Step 33

Finally we'll add a last highlight. So create a new layer above all the others and draw in a white to black radial gradient as shown. Set this layer to Overlay and 40% Opacity.

Finished!

And there we have it, a text on fire effect! In the next tutorial in the series, we'll be producing the Air image, however it'll be in two weeks, not one—as I'm taking a few days off work!

If you're interested in creating flames from scratch in Photoshop, you might also like to check out this classic tutorial that coincidentally uses the exact same typeface! It's a Photoshop 6 tutorial, and I can still remember reading it like a half decade ago, but it's still very relevant, even if the screenshots feature a super retro Mac interface.

6 Quick’n'Dirty Photoshop Text Effects From Scratch

2008-09-29T20:39:00.000+05:30

6 Quick’n'Dirty Photoshop Text Effects From Scratch

Photoshop is great for embellishing display text with little effects. When you add layer styles into the equation, you have the added benefit of the styles being easily transferable. In this tutorial I'll show you how to make six different effects using just layer styles. So really this is like six tutorials in one!

Quick Gold Text

There are a lot of ways to make "gold" text. This one makes use of two layers with the exact same text on it. They are layered on top of each other with the bottom layer a few pixels down so that it gives an illusion of 3 dimenions.

The font we're using here is Trajan—a very elegant typeface that suits gold text.

First the top layer, which is made with the usual suspects—a bevel, a gradient overlay, and so on. Note the faint drop shadow that actually gets applied to the layer below it (which then has its own drop shadow).

This is the layer that gives the depth to our letters. Notice that the interior bit is not important because it gets covered by our gold plating layer above. It uses an Outer Bevel on top of a fat Stroke to create the highlights. Then when we place the other layer on top they come together to make a lovely gold effect!

There are a lot of ways to make "gold" text. This one makes use of two layers.

3D Metallic Text

This effect is actually just a variation on the gold text. As you can see below, we've again used the dual copies of the text, each with layer styles applied. Here I used a different Gloss Contour on the beveled text below, and of course everywhere we used a yellow shade in the last effect, I used a grey color here.

To try something slightly different, I also applied a text warp. You can do this by clicking on to the text layer, selecting the Horizontal Type Tool (T) and then an icon appears at the top (shown below) that you click on. This gives the Warp Text dialog box.

Now if you apply a Bulge to one of the layers, but not the other, you get a slight distortion that looks neat.

DoubleType

This effect is much simpler and just relies on having two versions of the text, one styled and one not. I've used Futura as my typeface here. I believe I saw this effect on a movie poster once so I've used red the way they did, but it works just as well with other colors and combinations.

All there is to do is apply two bits of layer styling:

Add a 1px Outer Stroke using a gradient instead of a color. I've used one of Photoshop's metallic gradients (see the thin metal style further down for more details). It gives the edges a shiny quality that's nice.
Then we add a black to white Gradient Overlay to the text set to Overlay and 50%. This means when you change the text color it automatically adjusts so it has a nice bit of shading over the top.

HyperColor

This effect I discovered at Chris Garrett Media's site where he uses it to great effect. It's a very simple effect really, you just grab some text (typeface is DIN in this example) and give it a Gradient Overlay. Photoshop has some really nice Color Harmony gradients that you can add by clicking on that little arrow that points to the right on the Gradient Editor dialog box. The gradients it adds are the bunch at the bottom. If you choose one of those and set it to about 59% on white text, set on a dark background.

Thin Metal

This is the simplest way to make a metallic effect. It relies on the fact that when you see metal in real life, it's usually got lots of highlights and shadows, especially shinier, chromier type metals. So by using two copies of the same gradient at different angles you can make this effect happen really easily and give your text a metallic effect.

It's best on a thin typeface because otherwise the interior of the text looks dull and flat (unless of course we added more styling, but then it wouldn't be super quick!)

So first of all I decided to make my text 'stand up' in this example. So just create a layer below your text and draw tiny circles of black below the points of each letter. Then blur them by going to Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set it to about 2px. Then hit Ctrl+T and squash them vertically. Finally set them to about 30% Opacity so they are nice and faded out.

For letters like the a and e where there is a larger area of the letter touching the 'floor', you can use the transform tool to stretch the circle our horizontally.

Finally I duplicated one of my circle shadows and stretched it waay out so that it went underneath the whole bit of text to make the overall shadow.

Experiment and you should be able to create some neat little pools of shadow under the letters.

Now the actual text is just a combination of a Gradient Overlay and a 1px Stroke that uses the same gradient. The gradient we use (and it's the same as in the Double Type effect above) is a metallic gradient that comes with Photoshop. You can add this to your gradients palette, using that little right arrow shown in the Gradient Editor below, then choose Metals and you should see it appear.

The key here is to make sure the Angle on the overlay and the stroke is different. This is what creates the highlights on the text that you can see in the close up screenshot above.

I also set the main overlay to just 14% Opacity over the top of some grey text so that it was a little faded out, but that's optional.

Plastic Fantastic

I love these gel-type text styles, though I must admit I don't think I've ever actually used one in a real design. But who cares, they are so fun to make. This one uses two copies of the text and two different layer styles (similar to our first two metal texts earlier).

You can see the two layers below. The main styling is done in the bottom layer, while the top one is used to create that shine effect.

In the bottom layer we've used a bunch of glows, altered shadows, and gradient overlays. You can see the actual settings further below.

In this layer I've heavily modified a Bevel and Emboss style to create that sharp-edged highlight. Again, you can see the exact settings, including the shape of the gradient contour below.

Create an Energy Drink Ad Design

2008-09-25T16:49:00.000+05:30

Featuring a product in an ad is a common task for any designer. In this tutorial, we'll look at a flexible design solution that you can use to create one for an energy drink. It relies on a combination of the Difference Blending Mode and the Radial Blur Filter to achieve unique colors, contrast, and lighting.

Final Image Preview

Step 1

The first thing that you need to do is plan a color palette. But in order to choose your colors, you need to understand how the Difference Blending Mode works. It looks at the color information in each channel and subtracts either the blend color from the base color, or the base color from the blend color. This depends on which has the higher brightness value.

Difference only works when transforming dark to light, and not light to dark. However, if you apply any type of blur to a difference layer, you'll get smooth gradients and dynamic lighting. Since the end result needs to be dark, choose bright colors that in combination with a radial blur will create gradients from light to dark.

So begin by opening a new Photoshop document at 1600px by 1280px. Fill the background layer with this color: (#b1c900).

Step 2

Bring up your Custom Shapes Menu and select the Ray shape, as shown below. You can find it under the Symbols Folder. Then draw the first one right in the middle that is large enough to spread outside the canvas. Use this color: (#bddc01).

As soon as you create the first one, duplicate it. Then rotate the copy so that it leaves just a thin line of the background. Then change it to this color: (#d3eb45). You should align them so that they match the image below.

Step 3

At this point, begin painting with a Regular Circle Brush at different sizes. Set your Brush Opacity to 60%, change the color to (#7a263e), and click individually while changing the size for each spot. By manually creating each spot, you have more control over your layout. Once you've created the first set, add a few spots on a separate layer with this new color: (#93133d).

Step 4

Next, make a new layer and add smaller spots with this color (#cdde67). Again, on a separate layer, paint even smaller spots with a slightly more saturated color: (#d9f14a).

Step 5

Now it's time to add some contrast by using a saturated version of the color that you used for the very first spots: (#93133d)

Step 6

To finish off the effect, create some small spots that follow the original layout, and others that fill the unused space of the canvas. Make sure to fade them out gradually as they approach the edge of the canvas. You don't want those to become distracting later. As a final touch, add a new color that will later be transformed into a vivid pink: (#7b2dc1).

Step 7

As pointed out before, the radial blur effect plays a crucial part in the overall image. Select all the shapes, spots, and background layers and press Ctrl+Shift+E to merge them together. After they are all merged, duplicate the layer. Name this new layer "radial blur". Then go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur and insert the values shown below.

Step 8

You should now have two layers: the background layer that you recently merged together and its duplicated version that you named "radial blur." Select the "radial blur" layer and change its blending mode to Difference. You should now get a dark image with bright green and blue colors. It's not the hue that we want, so merge both layers together. Then go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, or simply press Ctrl+U. Then change the Hue to 73.

Step 9

In this step you'll add some depth to the image that will guide the viewer's attention to the center of the design. Enter Quickmask Mode (Q), and use the Bucket Tool with the color set on black to fill the whole canvas. Next select the Eraser Tool, and add some scattering to it's preset.

Now drag across the canvas while focusing on the center. As soon as you're done with that, exit Quickmask Mode (Q) again, and invert the selection by pressing Ctrl+Shift+I. Then right-click on the canvas while the Marquee Tool is selected. Then chose the Layer Via Copy option. As soon as you have the selection in a new layer, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and blur it by 4 pixels.

Step 10

At this point it's time to add the can. So download this image from stock.xchng. Then cut it out with the Pen Tool. Don't worry about the bottom, since you will only need the top. Once you have that done, position it in the center, and rotate it at a 45 degree angle. Then change the hue by 180. The use the Burn Tool to darken the lower left half of the can.

Step 11

Now you need to hide a part of the can in order to fade it into the rest of the photo. A simple layer mask should suffice. So enter Quickmask Mode again. Then fill the entire canvas with black. Erase the part that you want left out with a soft brush. After that, exit Quickmask Mode. Then go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide Selection. You may also want to sharpen it at this point. To do so, go to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen.

Step 12

Now if you'll look closely at the photo, you'll notice that it's simply too smooth. Rather than adding noise or grunge, we'll mimic the can texture by using one of Fabio's tutorials: Creating a Cool Brushed Metal Surface in Photoshop. So first off, fill the canvas area with white. Then go to Filter > Pixelate > Mezzotint. Select Medium Dots and then apply the filter. Then set the layer's Blending Mode to Color Burn.

Step 13

In the final step is to add the title on the left side of the canvas. I used a font called Incised901 NdIt BT, which is the abbreviated name for Incised 901 Nord Italic. After typing it in, double-click on the layer, and use the layer style described in the photo below.

Final Result

And that's it! One energy drink ad ready to go!

Conclusion

The unique feature of this technique is that it can easily be adapted to suit a variety of different needs. Below is an example of how you can change the outcome simply by modifying the colors and shapes. It's all up to your creativity! Hopefully you will have found this tutorial helpful and useable in your designs.

Using Ink Drops in Your Digital Compositions

2008-09-25T16:39:00.000+05:30

We all love Photoshop and its effects, but sometimes it's great to get your hands dirty when creating elements for your graphics. Ink drops can add a creative and energetic element to your designs. This tutorial demonstrates techniques to creatively work ink drops into your compositions.

Final Image Preview

Step 1

The first and probably most fun part of this tutorial is to photograph the ink drops. Get some Indian ink and any type of clear container (I used a food container). Fill the container with water, then drop in the ink and snap away.

Tips: Constantly take pictures while the ink drops, as the shapes will change considerably over time. Photograph the ink drops in front of a white background to produce clearer pictures. Experiment with dripping the ink using pipettes and any other device you can get your hands on.

If you don't have access to ink and a camera then check out these images: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Feel free to experiment with the ink drop images, but do pay attention to the usage license.

Step 2

Open a new document, set the background to black, and import the main image you want to use. I used a self portrait that I photographed myself. Cut out the image you'd like to use in your composition. After removing the background, we'll be able to focus on integrating the ink into the design.

Step 3

Adjust the levels and colors of the image using the Adjustment Layers (Layers > Create New Adjustment Layer). Using Adjustment Layers gives us greater freedom in case we need to undo something later on. Make sure all the Adjustment Layers are just above the "Man" layer. Then select them all, and create a Clipping Mask by right-clicking on them, and selecting it from the menu.

Use Levels to help create a darker, more subtle image. Also, use Hue & Saturation and Color Balance to subdue the colors and give the "Man" a tone with more yellow. Don't worry if the image looks dark at this stage, just make sure the hands stand out.

Step 4

To give the image a more defined look, we are going to add highlights. Put the "Man" layer and its Adjustment Layers into a folder. Then duplicate it. Change the Levels on the new Adjustment Layer so that the edges of the man's jacket are well defined.

Step 5

Add a Layer Mask to the layer of the "Man" by clicking on the Add Layer Mask Icon at the bottom of the Layers Window. Make sure the Layer Mask is black (which will make the layer disappear).

We are now going to bring out the highlights we want, which is mainly the prominent edges of the coat. Select the Layer Mask and draw over the parts you want to make brighter with a soft white brush.

Step 6

Its now time to select the ink drops we want to use inside the "Man." This can be as intricate as you want, however try to have a good idea of what you want the final piece to look like before you start. Once you have found an ink drop you want to use, copy and paste it into the current document.

Color doesn't matter at this stage; just pick the ink drops that have the best shape. Press Ctrl+I to invert the image, as the ink drop image will be on a white background. Then in the Layers Menu, change the Blending Mode of the ink drop layer to "Lighten", and resize the layer as necessary.

Step 7

Once you've placed all your drops, make two folders called "Ink drop - Front" and "Ink drop - BG," as we want to give some simple depth to the ink drops. Carefully choose the ones you want in the foreground and the ones you in the background. Then put the layers in the corresponding folders. Now select the "Inkdrop - BG" folder, and set the Opacity to 60%.

Step 8

We are now going to color the ink drops we have introduced. Use the Pen Tool to draw around the inside of the "Man," not including his hands or his face. Set the color of this layer to black. Then set the Blending Mode of this newly made layer to "Color," which will desaturate the ink drops.

Step 9

Duplicate the previous layer, and double-click it to bring up the Layer Styles Dialogue. Click Gradient Overlay and change the style drop down to Radial. Make the left hand color #cf2727 and the right hand #652727. Set the Blending Mode of this layer to Multiply. This step will create the impression of a glowing center in the image.

Step 10

You may find that the ink drops look quite flat now, so we need to add a bit more texture. Select one of your more intricate ink drops, desaturate the whole picture (Image > Adjust > Desaturate). Import it into your main image. Then resize it to cover your red ink drops.

Step 11

Change the Blending Mode of the layer to Multiply and the Opacity to around 20%. Ctrl-click on the previously made Layer Mask on the Color Layers. Then click back onto your new texture layer. Click Add New Layer Mask at the bottom of the Layers Panel. This will create a Mask around the image just in case you went over the edges.

Step 12

Now that we have the inkdrop sorted, let's start on the background. I used a stock image from Stock.xchng to give the background a bit of texture. You can download it here.

Desaturate the image and import it into Photoshop below the other layers. Change the Opacity of it to around 30%. Resize the photo so it touches the edges of the document. I also blurred the image slightly using Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur).

Step 13

We are now going to Add a tinge of blue to the background. Add another 'Colour Balance' adjustment layer (Layer > Create New Adjustment Layer) and and a hint of both blue and green.

Step 14

To help give the piece some mood, use a large soft black brush to draw a vignette around the outside of the image. Then use a soft white brush to add a glow behind and above the "Man." Make sure to be subtle at this stage, as you want it to look as natural possible.

Step 15

We are now going to produce the inkdrop background. First, draw a black triangle, as seen in the image below.

Step 16

Next, paste the ink drops in you want to use. Change the Blending Mode of the layers to Multiply, so we are left with just the black of the images. This again is about choosing the right drops for the best composition.

Step 17

We are finally going to add the red inkdrop falling from the top. Choose the image you want to use. Then import it to the main document, using the same techniques as in Step 6.

Create a layer, and using the Rectangular Marquee tool drag a rectangle that covers the single inkdrop. Draw a rectangle over the inkdrop you just chose. Fill the rectangle with the color #912020. Then change the Blend Mode of this layer to Overlay.

Step 18

Now it's time to do a few finishing touches to the image. Add a few final white ink drops to the main background using the same techniques as before. However, make sure that the layers are desaturated, faded, and the Blend Mode set to Color Dodge.

Step 19

Decide whether you need to darken or colorize any parts of your main image. Then create layers accordingly. I decided I wanted the man's hands to glow from the red ink, so I drew over the hands with a soft red brush. Then set the Blend Mode to Multiply. Also, I added a few shadows and blue hues.

Step 20

Finally, adjust the brightness and color of the overall image by using an Adjustment Layer at the top of the document (Layer > New Adjustment Layer). Then I added a Brightness/Contrast to lighten the image, as shown below.

Final Image

The final composition is below.

Create a Breaking Apart Effect on the Dark Side

2008-09-25T16:34:00.000+05:30

A breaking apart effect is a quite interesting to do in Photoshop, though it takes some time to finish, but in the end the unique result you'll achieve is worth your effort. In this tutorial you'll learn to break up your image into numerous pieces, add cracks running through the design, and unify the digital canvas in an chilling scene of a man turning turning into particles of dust.

Step 1

Open your image that you would like to break apart. I have here an image of a man's face, which we'll use as a working sample. Choose the Polygonal Lasso tool (L), or any selection tool you’re comfortable with. Draw a selection around the face, hand, and shirt, to isolated them from the background. Press Command + J for Layer Via Copy command, then rename it to "Face 01."

Step 2

Right-click on your layer, choose Convert to Smart Object command, then double-click on your Smart Object layer. From the Adjustment Layer choose Hue/Saturation command, set the Saturation value to -100, then select the Brush tool (B) and make sure your foreground color is set to black. Also, make sure your Hue/Saturation Layer mask is active, draw with it around the face and whole skin. This well apply the command just on the shirt. Press Command + W to close the Smart Object, click Yes when you are asked and save.

Step 3

Open a Rock texture image.

Step 4

Drag the texture into your composition. Set the blend mode of the layer to Pin Light, and rename it to "Crack 01." Move the texture layer into a suitable position, as shown below.

Step 5

Open another rock texture image, drag it into your composition, and place it under the "Face 01" Layer. Rename it "Rock tex."

Step 6

With the Layer "Rock tex" selected, press Command + Alt + Shift + N to make a new layer above it. Name it "Color" and fill the new Layer with a skin tone (#d39f7e), then set the Blend Mode to Color.

Step 7

Open another rock texture image. We will use this one as a background for our composition. Name it "background," and place it under the "face 01" Layer. Next, hold down the Command key and click on the "face 01" Layer to load selection from it.

With the "background" layer selected, click on the Add Layer Mask button. Also, make sure your Layer Mask is highlighted and press Command + I to invert the Mask. Right-click on the layer and choose the Convert to Smart Object command.

Go to Filter > Blur > Surface Blur, and set the Radius value to 100 and Threshold to 20. Click OK to apply the filter. Then go to Filter > Render > Lighting Effects and set it as shown below. Double-click on the little sliders that appear next to Lighting effects filter to view the Blending Options for Lighting Effects, and set the Mode to Multiply.

Step 8

Choose the Polygonal Lasso tool (L), and with the Layer "face 01" selected, draw a selection as shown below. Next, press Command + J to duplicate the selected area and name this Layer "Face break." Add a Layer Mask to the Layer "face 01," then hold down the Command key and click on the thumbnail of the layer "face break." Next, fill the selected area with black on the Layer Mask. Select the Layer "face break," hold down Command, and move it a little to see underneath it.

Step 9

Draw a selection around the lower part of the face, and press Command + J to copy it into a new Layer, then name this Layer "Chin." Click on the Layer Mask next to the Layer "face 01," hold down the Command key, and click on the thumbnail of the "Chin" layer. Next, fill the selection with black. Move the "Chin" and "face break" on top of the other layers.

Step 10

Hold down Alt key and click on the Eye next to the "Crack 01" Layer to hide all the layers except it. Next, go to Select > Color Range, select the black area, then set the Fuzziness to 125, and click OK to apply. Click on the Add Layer Mask button. Alt-click on the Eye icon to show all other layers.

Step 11

Select the Layer "face 01" and press Command + Alt + Shift + N to make a new Layer above it, name it "Shadows Soft Light" and change the Blend mode to "Soft Light." Choose a Brush tool (B) and with black paint on the lifted area in your composition. Next, lower the Opacity of your brush to 50% and draw on the rock texture that appears underneath the ski,n as shown below. This will hide the line that appears after isolate the image from the background, and add some depth to your texture.

Step 12

Select the "face break" Layer and press Command + J to duplicated, then click on the eye next to the "face break" layer to hide it. Rename the new layer "Basic Breaking," then choose Lasso tool (L). Next, draw a small selection around any are you want to break off. Hold down the Command key and move the piece to the right side. Repeat this procedure multiple times until you have the same effect as shown below.

Step 13

Choose the "Chin" Layer, then press Command + T for the Free Transform command and rotate it. Next, add a Drop Shadow effect set to the value you desire.

Step 14

Return to "Basic Breaking" layer, press Command + J to duplicate it, then click on the eye next to "Basic Breaking" layer to hide it. Rename the new layer "Advanced Breaking," then draw a selection around each piece and move them to the right.

Now divide them into more smaller pieces making sure the pieces get smaller as they move to your right side. Next, go to Filter > Distort > Spherize, and set the Amount value to 100%, then click OK to apply the Filter. Go to the "Chin" layer and right-click on it, and choose Copy Layer Style. Right-click on the "Advanced Breaking" layer and choose Paste Layer Style.

Step 15

Go to the "Crack 01" layer, highlight the layer mask. Press (B) for the Brush tool and paint with Black on the neck. We don’t want the effect to extend to the neck or shirt.

Step 16

Now make a several copies of the "Crack 01" layer. Adjust their placement and shape, Modify them with Free Transform, and edit their Masks so we could take a piece from the eye.

Step 17

Select the "face 01" layer and draw a selection around the eye. Press Command + J to duplicate it, name it "Eye." Select the Layer Mask of the "face 01" layer, hold down the Command key and click on the "Eye" Layer to load a selection form it, then fill it with black.

Step 18

Select the "Crack 01" Layer Mask, then draw with black using the Brush tool (B), as shown below.

Step 19

Go to the "Rock tex" layer and press Command + J to Duplicate it. Next, press O for Burn tool and set the exposure to 100%. Draw in the place where the eye was, as shown below.

Step 20

Go to the "eye" Layer and draw some selections with the Lasso tool (L) to take little pieces from it. Move them away a little bit. Copy and Paste the same Drop Shadow effect on it.

Step 21

Go to the "Rock tex" layer, move it on top of all the other layers, set the Blend Mode to "Overlay" and Opacity to 37%. Next, click on the Add Layer Mask button. Go to the "face 01" Layer and Command-click on the thumbnail of the Layer to load a selection. With lasso tool (L) selected, hold down the Alt key and subtract from the selection until just the Shirt remains selected. Go to the "Rock tex" Layer mask and fill it with black, as shown below.

Step 22

Add a Levels Adjustment layer on top of all layers, and enter the values shown below.

Step 23

Add a Hue/Saturation Adjustment layer on top of all, and enter -30 for the Saturation.

Final preview

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