Free Photoshop Tutorials

We have tutorials explaining the basics of Photoshop and more complex tutorials for the Photoshop experts. Whatever type of Photoshop tutorial you want we’ve got it.

Including some great tutorials on logo design in Photoshop.
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There are many schemes out there to stop people changing your links but in my opinion there is only one worth considering – the “htaccess technique”. It does require a certain level of technical expertise to set up but its not that difficult and this tutorial will take you through the steps needed.

A popular way to make money is by use of affiliate links. This is where you advertise a product on your website and the product owner pays you a percentage of the purchase price when the person who follows the link subsequently buys the product or service.

For example a (fictitious) company Brilliant Books sells books at www.brillbooks.com and has an affiliate scheme where they pay 10% to you for every person you send to them who buys one of their books. They do this by getting you to register as an affiliate and give you a unique affiliate id code of 1234.

They know it’s you who sent the potential buyer to them because you link to www.brillbooks.com?affid=1234 instead of to www.brillbooks.com

Some people write malicious programs that they install on computers without the owners knowledge that will for example alter your link to brillbooks so that it says www.brillbooks.com?affid=6666 Now when the potential buyer clicks on the link the 10% affiliate fee goes to someone else.

So how do you stop this?

1. Find out if your web host is suitable.

This method only works for web servers that use Apache (as far as I know). Go to www.netcraft.com/whats and type in your website address into the “whats that site running” box. Then look under the “server” column and look for the word “Apache”. If its there then this method will work.

2. What is htaccess. Where is it located.

htaccess is a configuration file that contains instructions for the web server. You may already have one ( or more than one as they can work on a per directory basis). To find out fire up your ftp program or file browser or whatever you normally use to upload your website to your webserver and have a look.

htaccess is stored as a hidden file on the webserver which means its filename will be .htaccess
Your ftp program may by default not show you hidden files so you may need to enable viewing hidden files to be able to see .htaccess
Look for .htaccess in the same folder as your website’s index file. (index.html, index.htm, index.php or similar)

If you find one then you can edit it using any editor that is suitable for text files. Watch out on Windows systems that it doesn’t try to change the name to something more Windows friendly. This is because a file named .htaccess is alien to Windows. Usually putting quotes round the name when you do Save As will solve any problems i.e. save as “.htaccess”

If you don’t find an existing one then create a new one.

3. What changes do I need to make to .htaccess

Here is an example of the changes you need to make. Just add all the following at the top of your .htaccess file. Don’t touch anything that’s there already.

<ifmodule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On

RewriteRule anyfilename.htm http://myaffid.blueberryc.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=LOGO1 [R=301,L]

</ifmodule>

4. Now change example code to real code

Where I have anyfilename.htm you should put a filename appropriate to your situation. e.g. if you were linking to a book website and a book about rare birds you might put rarebirds.htm This filename can be anything you want as long as it DOESN’T already exist.

Where I have put http://myaffid.blueberryc.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=BIRDS1 you should put your real affiliate id link as provided by your affiliate website.

Leave the [R=301,L] alone. It tells the webserver to redirect any requests for rarebirds.htm to http://myaffid.blueberryc.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=BIRDS1

5. And finally

Edit your webpage and put your new cloaked website affilate link in place of the existing link.

For example you might have the following html:

<p>The people at Brill Books have some good books about <a href="http://myaffid.blueberryc.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=BIRDS1">Rare Birds</a>.</p>

You should change it to

<p>The people at Brill Books have some good books about <a href="rarebirds.htm">Rare Birds</a>.</p>

It no longer looks like an affiliate link but it is. Make sure you check it is working properly of course.

Art is one of the best methods of self expression. It is a means by which individuals and groups can communicate their feelings to others.

Many resources online look at Emo and Goth art and offer useful tips on capturing Goth and Emo effects. Interesting artistic designs reflecting these subcultures can also be achieved through the use of Photoshop. Some common features that can be easily done in Photoshop include the following.

Emo and Goth Eye Effects

The most recognized feature of these groups is the use of makeup, especially around the eyes. Want to see how you would look as an Emo or Goth? Open one of your pictures in Photoshop, and get to work. The first step is to duplicate the background layer. Right-click the background in the Layers panel and select “duplicate layer.” Then, in the Tools palette, choose the Burn tool. It is beside the Blur tool. (If you are not familiar with Photoshop, moving your cursor over the various tools will show you the names.)

In the Tool options, choose a small brush. Around 30 to 40 will do. Set the range to midtones and the exposure to anywhere between 30 to 50. Apply the Burn tool around the edge of the iris. Then increase the brush size and use the Burn tool on the pupil. Try to get it as dark as possible.

Next use the Burn tool on the edges of the eyelids, and you can keep going until you are happy with the end result. The Dodge tool should be used to lighten the area just outside the pupil if you want to create an eerie look.

The unsharp mask filter in Photoshop can also be used to create interesting effects. Just select Filter from the menu bar, go down to Sharpen, and from there select Unsharp Mask.

It is clear why a program like Photoshop would be popular with Emos and Goths. This software program has a lot of features that can bring to life themes of importance to Emo and Goth teens.

Jewelry

Photoshop can also be used to create drawings reflecting Goth and Emo concepts in jewelry designs. Goth jewelry relies heavily on imagery such as pentagrams, crucifixes, daggers and other symbols. You can either start with your own drawing scanned into Photoshop or download an image from the Internet. Many websites offer a wide array of Goth-inspired jewelry.

Whether you consider yourself a Goth or Emo, or just find the image appealing, you are sure to find something you like. If you have only basic Photoshop skills, download a non-copyrighted image, and use the program to modify the image to make it more into your own style. With Photoshop this is easy to achieve, and the result could be converted into a unique pendant or even earrings.

T-shirts

Great line drawings can be used in producing eye-catching screen printed t-shirts. If screen printing is your thing, take advantage of Photoshop’s drawing features to produce unique designs symbolic of Emo and Goth cultures.

You can take also create Goth or Emo-style artwork for heat transfer to t-shirts if you don’t want to be limited to just basic lines. Heat transfer is perfect for elaborate designs, especially if you are not into screen printing. You can find great samples and tutorials online with a quick search.

See another (funny) Goth tutorial here

And with the 10 minute alarm going off, here’s our final result:

Update:

Just found this great collection of Grunge Fonts

Open a new document (file -> new or ctrl + n). The document will need to be relatively large, I’m using 3000 pixels wide and a height of 3000 pixels. Also ensure that the document is grayscale.

Next go to filter -> Render -> Difference Clouds.

Continue repeating this filter (the shortcut is ctrl + F). After about the tenth or so time you should get something similar to mine:

To create the lines we will be using the pinch filter (Filter -> Distort -> Pinch)

In the popup set the amount to 100% and press ok.

Once again you must repeat this filter (ctrl + F). You should notice the lines get longer and cleared each time you repeat the pinch filter.

I repeated mine about ten times to get the following result.

Next go to the brightness and contrast tool (Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Brightness and Contrast).

When you click on this a new window should open up titled “New Layer”, just press ok. Now another window should appear.

In this window use the following settings:

Brightness: +100
Contrast: +100 (you may wish to use a different setting for this, depending on the result you wish to achieve)

Press ok. Now your document should look something similar to mine:

Your result probably doesn’t look all that great at the moment, so next we must remove all of the unwanted parts of your picture. Find a section of your document that you think looks good and select the crop tool (shortcut: C). Now click and hold on your document and select the area of your document you wish to use.
This is the result I got after cropping my image:

That’s pretty much the end of the tutorial, all that’s left to do now is add a picture of your favorite manga character and your done.

Here’s my finished result:

If you want to get in the mood first, have a look at my skull design page

Step 1:

Before we start we’ll need a few resources. You’ll need to download the following images:

T-Shirt

Splat

Skull

Step 2:

Next you’ll need to download the font I used here.

Option: You can always decide to use a different font to make your shirt more custom

Step 3:

Now that we’ve got all our resources, we can begin the designing!

First let’s open up all the images you just downloaded, in Photoshop.

Drag the Splat image into the T-Shirt document and position the Splat so it’s at the Top-Center-Left of the T-shirt. Now close the Splat image. You should now have something like below:

Step 4:

Now let’s add the Star Shape. Get our the Custom Shape tool and on a new layer, draw a good-sized Black star with a 2 pixel White stroke.

Make sure this layer is over the Splat layer. Use the image below as a guide:

Now we’re going to start playing around with the perspective of this Star Shape. Press CRTL + T to transform the shape and click Perspective.

Use the image below as a guide:

Now use the the Transform Handles to change the perspective and position of the Star Shape to how you want it.

I choose to make it look sort of 3D, like below:

Starting to look good already, huh?

Step 5:

Now we’ll be adding the Skull image under the Star shape but over the Splat image. Get the Skull image in Photoshop and drag it in the document you’ve been working with.

Simply, position the Skull image so it’s under the Star shape but over the Splat image.

You may use the images below as a guide:

Here’s how my Layer’s Pallete looks like:

Step 6:

To finish off our Skull/Grunge T-Shirt Design, we’re going to add some text using that font you downloaded (or you can use your own).

Using Planet Kosmos, Size 8, Sharp type out Skulls in Black with a 2px White stroke.

Now Rotate it a few degrees to the left and position it so it’s on the right side of the Star shape. Use the image below as a guide:

And now you’re finally done with your Skull/Grunge T-Shirt Design!

Update:

I’ve recently come across this great collection of T-Shirt templates.

Create a new file of your choice. Fill the background with black. Select type tool and type ‘m’ with these settings:

Font name = Times New Roman
Font size = 100 points
Font color = #00C0FF

Duplicate the type layer by pressing control+j and change the color to white.

Duplicate the layer again. This time, change the text color to #006485.

Hide the last type layer by clicking on the eye icon.

Click on the middle or white colored type layer to activate it. Press ‘alt’ key and click on the point shown by the arrow. It will create a clipping mask.

Now, click on the move tool and press the up arrow key from the keyboard to move the white colored ‘m’ type layer 16 pixel upward.

Click on the empty box in the 3rd type layer to show it.

Press alt key and click on the middle layer to make the clipping mask.

Now move the third type layer 3 pixel right side.

Using the same technique, draw a circle, duplicate it two times, make clipping mask and adjust the layers to have a shape like shown in the figure.

Group and merge the text and circle layer. Press control+j to duplicate the layer. Press control+t and transform the layer as shown.

Change the layer opacity of duplicate layer to 28%. You will see a nice reflection of the shape.

Draw a light grey colored circle between the two layers.

Type “Media Group” and change the text color to #006485.

Duplicate the type layer. Change its color to white and press down arrow key once to add white color shade to the text. Our logo is ready.

Open your image.

Create a new layer by pressing shift+control+n. Use 20 feather brush and draw a line of #B17574 color. Change its blending mode from normal to darken.

Create another layer. Draw this curved line either with brush tool or with pen tool. Use #79393A color for that.

Create another layer and draw these random stitch lines with 2 pixel wide brush tool.

Apply bevel and emboss effect as shown on the stitch lines.

Image after applying above effect.

I have used the same technique to draw stiches at the left side of the face.

For this tutorial I will show you a quick, easy and effective method for watermarking your images. Any beginner should be able to finish this tutorial in under one minute. No plug-ins are required.

The first step we must take is to open a new document (file > New). I’ll be using a 60px X 60px document with a transparent background. You don’t need to give this document a name.

Once your document is open go to the layers pallet and add a new layer.

Once you have your document open zoom a little (you don’t need to do this but I feel it makes it easier to see what you are doing). Now grab the type tool from your tool box. Next click somewhere on your document and type something, I suggest the word “copyright”. (don’t worry about the position of what you typed, we’ll fix this in a moment). For my font I’ve used size 14 “verdana” in a black color.

You should have something similar to mine:

Next we must reposition and rotate our text. To do this we will be using the free transform tool (edit > free transform). Reposition your text so that it looks similar to mine:

I have also resized my text so that it fits better. Once you are happy with the position and size of your text click on the background layer.

Now that we have finished with our text we must define it as a pattern. This is done by going to edit > define pattern. A little popup should appear asking you what you wish to call your pattern. You can name it as you wish but I suggest calling it “Copyright”

Click ok and then close your document, you do not need to save it.

Open up the document that you wish to watermark (file > Open).

Double click on your layer and add a “pattern overlay”, click the drop down arrow and select the pattern we just created.

Play around with the settings until you get your desired result then press ok. I’ve used the default settings except changed the opacity to 50%.

Here is my finished result:

Congratulations your done! Now you know the basics of creating watermarks why not try and see what else you can do. Here is another result you can make just as quickly:

Thanks for reading the tutorial and I hope you enjoyed it.