All The Stuff

Installing Windows XP Operating System

2012-06-25T14:30:00.000+05:30

You Need:

Windows XP CD

>>>>>Download<<<<<

Procedure:

Boot From the Windows XP CD

To begin the Windows XP installation process, you will need to boot from the Windows XP CD.

Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown in the screenshot above.
Press a key to force the computer to boot from the Windows CD. If you do not press a key, your PC will attempt to boot to the next device in the boot order, which is probably your hard drive. Since your hard drive has no operating system on it, the boot process will fail.

Press F6 to Install a Third Party Driver

The Windows Setup screen will appear and a number of files and drivers necessary for the setup process will load.

Toward the beginning of this process, a message will appear that says Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver.... As long as you are installing from a Windows XP SP2 CD, this step is probably not necessary. On the other hand, if you're installing from an older version of the Windows XP installation CD and you have an SATA hard drive, you will need to press F6 here to load any necessary drivers. The instructions that came with your new hard drive should include this information.

For most users though, this step can be ignored.

Read and Accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement

The next screen that appears is the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen. Read through the agreement and press F8 to confirm that you agree with the terms.

Press ENTER to Set Up Windows XP

After the necessary files and drivers are loaded, the Windows XP Professional Setup screen will appear.

Since this will be a new installation of Windows XP, press Enter to setup Windows XP now.

Create a Partition

Since your hard drive is probably new or has never been used, all of the space on it is unpartitioned. In this step, you will create a new partition for Windows XP to use.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the line that says Unpartitioned space. PressC to create a partition on this unpartitioned space.

Warning Note: You may have other partitions on this drive and on other drives that may be installed in your PC. If so, you may have a number of entries here. Be careful not to remove partitions that you may be using as this will remove all data from those partitions permanently.

Choose a Partition Size

Here you need to choose a size for the new partition. This will become the size of the C drive, the main drive on your PC that Windows XP will install to. This is also the drive that all of your software and data will probably reside on unless you have additional partitions set aside for those purposes.

Unless you are planning on creating additional partitions from within Windows XP after the installation process (for any number of reasons), it's usually wise to create a partition at the maximum size possible.

For most users, the default number provided will be the maximum space available and the best choice. Press Enter to confirm the partition size.

Choose a Partition to Install Windows XP On

Highlight the line with the newly created partition and press Enter to set up Windows XP on the selected partition.

Note: Even if you created a partition at the maximum size available, there will always be a relatively small amount of space left over that will not be included in the partitioned space. This will be labeled as Unpartitioned space in the list of partitions, as shown in the screen shot above.

Choose a File System to Format the Partition

For Windows XP to install on a partition on a hard drive, it has to be formatted to use a particular file system - either the FAT file system format or the NTFS file system format. NTFS is more stable and secure than FAT and is always the recommended choice for a new Windows XP installation.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the line that says Format the partition using the NTFS file system and press Enter.

Wait for the New Partition to Format

Depending on the size of the partition that you are formatting and the speed of your computer, formatting the partition could take anywhere from a few minutes to several minutes or hours.

Windows XP Installation Begins

Windows XP will now begin installing. No user intervention is necessary.

Note: The Setup will complete in approximately: time estimation on the left is based on the number of tasks that the Windows XP setup process has left to complete, not on a true estimation of the time it will take to complete them. Usually the time here is an exaggeration. Windows XP will probably be setup sooner than this.

Wait for Restart and First Windows XP Boot

Your PC will automatically restart and proceed to load Windows XP for the first time.

Begin Final Set Up of Windows XP

The Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen appears next, informing you that the next few minutes will be spent setting up your computer.

Click Next ->.

Create Initial User Accounts

In this step, setup wants to know the names of the users who will use Windows XP so it can setup individual accounts for each user. You must enter at least one name but can enter up to 5 here. More users can be entered from within Windows XP after installation is complete.

After entering the account name(s), click Next -> to continue.

Wait for Windows XP to Start

Windows XP is now loading for the first time. This may take a minute or two depending on your computer's speed.

Windows XP Installation is Complete!

This completes the final step of installing Windows XP! Congratulations! If you're new to Windows XP, click on the balloon (shown above) to take a tour.

That't It.......All Done.....Enjoy...!!!

Installing Windows 7 Operating System

2012-06-25T13:56:00.001+05:30

You Need:

1. Windows 7 DVD

>>>>>Download<<<<<

Procedure:

Boot From the Windows 7 DVD

To begin the Windows 7 install process, you'll need to boot from the Windows 7 DVD.

Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD or DVD... message similar to the one shown in the screenshot above.
Press a key to force the computer to boot from the Windows 7 DVD. If you do not press a key, your PC will attempt to boot to the next device in the boot order, which is probably your hard drive. Since your hard drive has no operating system on it, the boot process will fail.

Wait for Windows 7 Installation Files to Load

You don't need to do anything at this point but wait for Windows 7 to finishing loading files in preparation for the setup process.

Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Finish Loading

After the Windows 7 installation files are loaded into memory, you'll see the Windows 7 splash screen, indicating that the setup process is about to begin.

Choose Language and Other Preferences

Choose the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method that you'd like to use in Windows 7.

Click Next.

Click the Install Now Button

Click on the Install now button in the center of the screen, under the Windows 7 logo.

This will officially begin the Windows 7 installation process.

Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Begin

The Windows 7 setup process is now beginning.

No need to do anything here.

Accept the Windows 7 License Terms

The next screen that appears is a textbox containing the Windows 7 Software License.

Read through the agreement, check the I accept the license terms checkbox under the agreement text and then click Next to confirm that you agree with the terms.

Choose the Type of Windows 7 Installation to Complete

In the Which type of installation do you want? window that appears next, you're offered the choice of Upgrade and Custom (advanced).

Click on the Custom (advanced) button.

Choose a Physical Location to Install Windows 7 On

In this step, you'll be choosing the physical location to install Windows 7 to.

Choose the appropriate unallocated space or previously partitioned space on a hard drive to install Windows 7 on.

If you're installing Windows 7 on a never-used hard drive in a computer with no other hard drives, your screen should look like the one above, aside from your hard drive being a different size.

Wait While Windows 7 is Installed

Windows 7 Setup will now install Windows 7 to the location you chose in the previous step. You don't need to do anything here but wait.

Restart Your Computer

Now that the Windows 7 setup process is complete, you need to restart your computer.

If you do nothing, your computer will reset automatically after 10 seconds or so. If you'd rather not wait, you can click the Restart now button at the bottom of the Windows needs to restart to continue screen.

Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Begin Again

Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Update Registry Settings

Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Start Services

setup general options like time&date, username as you like

you'll get default windows 7 screen like this :

That's it.......You have all done......Enjoy...!!!

Dual Boot ( Win 7 & Win XP ) Using EasyBCD 2.1.2

2012-06-25T13:35:00.001+05:30

You Need :

1. Windows 7 DVD

>>>>>Download<<<<<

2. Windows XP CD

>>>>>Download<<<<<

3. EasyBCD 2.1.2 Software

>>>>>Download<<<<<

Procedure:

1. Make The Drive Empty With Around 15GB min

2. Install Windows XP with CD.

3. Then Install Win 7 (Procedure) into same drive you have installed XP before.

Making Dual Boot:

1. Download easyBCD and Install it.
2. Open easyBCD You will Get Screen Like this :

3. Select "Add New Entry" Option On left side Here :

4. You'll get Like below :

5. Select "Windows" tab in "Add New Entry"

6. We have to change the "type" option

7. Change the type option from "Windows Vista/7" to "Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3"

8. Check the box "Automatically Detect Correct drive"

9. Click "Add Entry" Option

10. Select "Edit Boot Menu" option on left side

11. You'll get Below

12. Observe Entry List having two options "windows 7" & "windows XP" (not listed above image)

13. Click "Save Settings" option

14. Close the window

15. Restart Your System

16. You'll get like this on booting

17. That's It........ It's All Done.....!!!

Installing Macintosh in PC using Iatkos S3 V2

2012-06-17T11:27:00.001+05:30

What you need:

1. Iboot

>>>>>Download<<<<<

2.Iatkos S3 V2

>>>>>Download<<<<<

You Must Do:

1.Burn dvd with Transmac Only

Download

2.Burn Dvd with Lowest Speed

(1x,2x,4x)

Installation Process:

1. Burn Iboot into the Cd

2. Burn iatkos into Dvd (as abow)

3. Insert iboot cd & restart your pc

4. Enter into BIOS settings ( By pressing F2 for most devices)

5. Change the first boot priority to CD/DVD & second boot priority to Harddisk

6. Press F10 and Save settings & Reboot your PC

7. You will get screen something like this below :

8. Remove iboot CD and insert Iatkos Dvd into Drive

9. After Inserting DVD press F5 to refresh

10. you will get Iatkos S3 V2 disk same as like above iboot picture....

11. select iatkos s3 v2 and type " -v " (without quotes)

12. Press Enter

13. It takes several minutes to load...like this: (if any errors noticed in screen...leave it )

14. after completing above process you can get screen like below :

15. choose Preferred language.... click next...you will get like this...

16. next you get agreement screen, click next..you'll get like below :

17. here we go the important steps from here..if you get something like below:

18. Do this......click on "Utilities" menu & select "disk utilities"..you will get like this : do as like below

Note: All the data in the hard disk will be erased.... So that Only select the partition on left side then do like below select .....

19. you will get like this now :

20. Here another important step is "Customize" Options.....

21. click Customize you will get like below :

22. Select As same as below for Clean installation

You can select some other options at your risk

22. Click "Install".....it will take several minutes to complete.... wait until you get like this...

23. Restart your system you will get intro video ...

24. That's It you have Installed Macintosh on Your Loving PC...

25. You may get some errors....post a comment... any Error can solvable....Thank You

iATKOS S3 Snow Leopard 10.6.3 Intel DVD

2012-06-17T10:40:00.000+05:30

>>>> iATKOS S3 download <<<<

md5 of iATKOS_S3.zip >>>
md5 of iATKOS_S3.iso >>> c06f2dab58f128badf4382eb428f721a

This download includes iATKOS_S3.zip file. After extracting the zip package you will have 2 files which is the iATKOS S3 ISO DVD image and the info.txt file. Burn the ISO image to a blank DVD (±R ,±RW) and then you are ready to boot iATKOS S3 DVD.

Windowsers can easily extract zip package and burn iso to dvd using Windows' built-in system tools (double click to zip file, extract the iso, right click to iso and select burn) but of course 3rd party tools can also be used for these actions. ie. winrar for extracting the zip, nero for burning the iso etc.

Mac users, you can extract the zip package and burn the iso to dvd using built-in system tools. Just double click to zip and burn it using Disk Utility. We advice to use built-in extractor by just double clicking on zip, 3rd party tools for extraction may change the file permissions after extraction, if so right click and lock the iso file by file info to preserve md5 before mounting it.

Linux users: ie. Ark, unzip etc. to extract iso, then k3b, cdrecord etc. to burn it..

Install Mac OS X on any Intel-based PC

2012-06-17T10:37:00.000+05:30

Any OSx86 installation guide can seem daunting at first glance, especially when trying to remember cryptic terminal commands and sorting through volumes of misinformation on the web. This guide requires no coding, terminal work, or Mac experience of any kind. You will not need access to a Mac. In fact, it's easier and faster for me to install Snow Leopard with fully working components on my system than it is to install Windows 7. And more fun.

The iBoot + MultiBeast method is designed and tested for any desktop or laptop running the latest line of Intel processors, the Core i3/i5/i7s. I have had reports of success with older machines as well including CoreDuo, Core2Duo, and even Pentium 4. However, AMD processors are not supported.

YOU WILL NEED

A computer running an Intel Processor
A blank CD
A Mac OS X Snow Leopard Retail DVD
To leave any fear of your computer at the door.
Patience and humility- it may not work out perfectly the first time- but with enough tenacity and grit, you'll reach the promised land. It's easy to get frustrated, but don't give up! There are a community of users with similar hardware in the tonymacx86 Forum to provide support if you get stuck.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

If you have greater than 4gb of RAM, remove the extra RAM for a maximum of 4gb. You can put back any extra RAM in after the installation process.
Use only 1 graphics card in the 1st PCIe slot with 1 monitor plugged in.
Remove any hard drives besides the blank drive being used for OS X.
Remove any USB peripherals besides keyboard and mouse.
Remove any PCI cards besides graphics- they may not be Mac compatible.
If using a Gigabyte 1156 board, use the blue Intel SATA ports- not the white Gigabyte SATA ports.
It's best to use an empty hard drive- you will have to partition and format the drive.
Always back up any of your important data.

STEP 1: BIOS SETTINGS
You will need to set your BIOS to ACHI mode and your Boot Priority to boot from CD-ROM first. This is the most important step, and one many people overlook. Make sure your bios settings match these. It's not difficult- the only thing I did on my Gigabyte board besides setting Boot Priority to CD/DVD first was set Optimized Defaults, change SATA to AHCI mode, and set HPET to 64-bit mode.

STEP 2: INSTALL MAC OS X
In order to boot the Mac OS X Retail DVD, you'll need to download and burn iBoot. For desktops and laptops using unsupported Intel CPUs and graphics, a legacy version of iBoot can be downloaded here.

Download iBoot
Burn the image to CD
Place iBoot in CD/DVD drive
Restart computer
At boot prompt, eject iBoot
Insert your Mac OS X Snow Leopard Retail DVD and press F5
When you see the screen below, press enter to begin the boot process

When you get to the installation screen, open Utilities/Disk Utility. NOTE: If you cannot get to the installation screen, retry from Step 4, type PCIRootUID=1 before hitting enter. If that doesn't work then try PCIRootUID=1 -x or just -x which will enter Mac OS X Safe Mode and will allow you to proceed. For some graphics cards, use GraphicsEnabler=No boot flag to proceed.
Partition your hard drive to GUID Partition Table
Format your hard drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). NOTE: The bootloader can only boot from a disk or partition of 1 TB or less. Partition larger drives.
For the purposes of this guide, name it Snow Leopard. You can rename it later.
Close Disk Utility
When the installer asks you where to install, choose Snow Leopard
Choose Customize‚ and uncheck additional options. This will hasten the install process. You can always install this stuff later.
Restart computer.
Place iBoot back in drive.
When you get to the boot selection screen, choose your new Snow Leopard installation.

View the super-cool Mac OS X Snow Leopard Welcome Video, and set up your computer!

STEP 3: UPDATE TO 10.6.8
If you have a Sandy Bridge system, please follow these specialized instructions to update to 10.6.8.

Open Finder and navigate to your Snow Leopard drive.
Download the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Combo Update
Download MultiBeast
Open MultiBeast- don't run it yet, just leave it open. Set up windows as shown.

Mount MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.8.dmg
Install MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.8.pkg
Upon completion, the installer will ask you to reboot. DO NOT REBOOT.
Switch to the already open MultiBeast. If it closes, just re-open it.

STEP 4: MULTIBEAST

MultiBeast is an all-in-one post-installation tool designed to enable boot from hard drive, and install support for Audio, Network, and Graphics. It contains two different complete post-installation solutions: EasyBeast and UserDSDT. In addition it includes System Utilities to rebuild caches and repair permissions and a collection of drivers, boot loaders, boot time config files and handy software.

Choose one of the following options directly following a fresh installation and update:

EasyBeast is a DSDT-free solution for any Core/Core2/Core i system. It installs all of the essentials to allow your system to boot from the hard drive. Audio, Graphics and Network will have to be enabled separately.

UserDSDT is a bare-minimum solution for those who have their own pre-edited DSDT. Place your DSDT.aml on the desktop before install. Audio, Graphics and Network will have to be enabled separately.  HINT: Check the DSDT Database for a pre-edited DSDT.

Run MultiBeast.
If you have a custom DSDT that's been edited, place the file on your desktop and choose UserDSDT.
All others select EasyBeast
Select System Utilities.
Optionally, you may install further drivers via Advanced Options to enable ethernet, sound, graphics, etc... Be sure to read the documentation provided about each installation option. NOTE: EasyBeast, and UserDSDT install the bootloader by default, so you'll not need to check that option.

MultiBeast Demo Videos

Install to Snow Leopard- it should take about 4 minutes to run scripts.
Eject iBoot.
Reboot- from your new Snow Leopard installation drive.

Congratulations! You're done!!

Your PC is now fully operational, while running the latest version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard! And you have a nice Boot CD to get into your system in case things go awry. Boot your system from iBoot if you have issues. You may run MultiBeast as often as you like.

If you can't boot, try typing -x at the boot prompt to enter safe mode, or just boot with iBoot. When you get to the desktop, you can make all of the changes you need to. The best way to start fresh is delete whatever you're trying to get rid of- including the whole /Extra folder, as most kexts are installed there. Then you can re-run MultiBeast. As long as you rebuild caches and repair permissions after you're done, you can do just about anything you want to /Extra/Extensions and /System/Library/Extensions. Anything can be tweaked and enabled upon subsequent uses of MultiBeast.

If you've had success using iBoot + MultiBeast, consider a contribution to help keep the sites going. We're constantly updating and tweaking our tools to help you.

Thanks in advance!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For our most current workarounds and solutions for issues such as USB and audio, check out the Mac OS X 10.6.3 Update, Mac OS X 10.6.4 Update, Mac OS X 10.6.5 Update, Mac OS X 10.6.6 Update, Mac OS X 10.6.7 Update, and Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update articles. Good luck, and see you on the forum!

Create a Retro Badge/Emblem Style Logo

2012-05-24T18:30:00.000+05:30

The logo we’ll be creating is for the totally fictional Powerhouse Gym (although I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a gym somewhere with this name!). It combines many of the typical traits of this retro/vintage theme with alternating rings of black and white as well as fine details such as the stars and dots. The text and tagline follow the circumference of the circle while the icon sits bang in the centre and gives visual feedback as to what the logo is promoting.

View the retro/vintage logo design

Be sure to check out the showcase of retro badge/emblem logos, then when you have plenty of ideas open up Adobe Illustrator and create a large circle. Copy (CMD+C) and Paste in Front (CMD+F) a duplicate, scale it down slightly while holding ALT and Shift, then switch the fill for a white stroke.

Press CMD+F to paste in another duplicate, scale down and change the fill to white. Paste in another, scale it down a little further to give the impression of a thick ring.

Paste a couple more circles and scale them appropriately to add a couple of thin strokes on the inside and outside of the white ring.

Position another circle exactly in the centre of the white ring, then adjust the stroke settings to 4pt Weight, Round Cap, Bevel Join, Dashed Line, 0pt Dash and 17pt Gap. For the gap setting in particular, use the cursor keys to nudge the number up and down until the circles are spaced evenly.

Elsewhere on the artboard, draw a series of weight plates with the rounded rectangle tool. Scale and position each larger plate with the same distance between them.

Use the rectangle tool to add a handle, then copy, paste and rotate the series of plates to finish off a simple dumbbell icon.

Switch the fill of all the shapes that make up the dumbbell to white, group them together and position the graphic in the centre of the logo.

Copy and paste one of the circles from the logo and clear out the fill and stroke. In the Text tool menu select the Type on Path option and click on the circle.

Enter the words Powerhouse Gym then select an appropriate font. Slab-Serif fonts typically have a strong and masculine feel, so I’ve picked out Boton for use in this logo.

Instead of adjusting the tracking of the letters, go to Type > Type on a Path > Type on a Path Options and adjust the spacing here. This setting will generate more even gaps where the tracking would bunch letters together as they flow around the curve.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to carefully adjust the little handle to centre up the text. Use a guide to make sure the wording starts and ends at the same angle.

Copy and Paste the circular text shape and replace the wording with the tagline ‘Reach your potential’. Use the little handle to adjust the text to sit on the outside of the circle and towards the bottom of the logo.

In the Type on a Path settings, adjust the Align to Path option to Ascender, then make another subtle tweaks to the size to make sure the text fits perfectly to the centre of the black ring.

A couple of stars finish off the text by separating the two sets of words. Scale and position one into place, copy and paste in front a duplicate and move this duplicate horizontally while holding Shift.

The vector version of our logo is complete. Illustrator’s tools made it easy to create the overall structure while keeping everything scalable and editable.

Let’s finish off the logo with some cool textures in Photoshop. We could import a texture, live trace and punch out some distressed marks with the Pathfinder, but you just don’t get the same effect as real textures in Photoshop.

Paste in the logo from Illustrator into a temporary Photoshop document and scale into place.

Use the super handy Subtle Grunge brushes from WeFunction to add grungy spots of white on a layer above the logo.

CMD+Click the logo layer’s thumbnail, press CMD+Shift+I to invert the selection and delete out the excess.

Tune the grungy effect by adjusting the opacity of the layer. This simple touch gives the logo that old, worn and distressed appearance of a genuine badge, sticker or emblem.

Create an Ornament Illustration for a Holiday Sale

2012-05-24T18:28:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Create a 600 by 500px, RGB document with the units set to pixels. Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and Option + Click onto the artboard and create a 400px by 100px Rectangle.

Step 2

Make the side parts of the banner using the Rectangle Tool (M). Option + Click onto the artboard and create a 150px by 100px Rectangle.

Step 3

Take the Pen Tool (P) and add an anchor point to the middle of the right side of the rectangle. With the Direct Selection Tool (A) move the point to create a V shape that will make up the end of the ribbon.

Select the ribbon end and make a reflected copy by Option + Clicking onto the middle of the main rectangle with the Reflect Tool (O) and make a Vertical Copy. Select both ribbon ends and move them to the back of the image (Select then Command + Shift + Left Square Bracket)

Step 4

In this step we will be making the pattern for the ribbon. This can be whatever you like. I’m creating a basic stripe, so I’ve made a small rectangle and then copied and pasted another rectangle into place (Command + C then Command + F) and reduced its scale. I’ve colored each rectangle a shade of Red with one rectangle lighter than the other. Select the shapes and drag them into the Swatches Panel to make a background.

Test the fill pattern on the ribbon to see if you like it. Once you’re happy it’s time to add some more details.

Step 5

Select the ribbon and click the Add New Stroke button, edit the settings so that the stroke has a Weight of 1pt and a Dashed Line with a dash of 4pt and a gap of 4pt and is light in color (I’ve used white).

With the stroke selected, go to the "fx" button in the Appearance panel and navigate to Path > Offset Path and enter an Offset of -3px.

Step 6

Select the fill of the ribbon and go to the "fx" button in the Appearance panel and navigate to Stylize > Inner Glow. Set the color to be a darker tone of the ribbons main color (in this case I’m using a dark red) and set the opacity to 50%, the Mode to Multiply and the blur to 15px.

Step 7

Now it’s time to add the text! I’m using a great font called Pacifico at scale of 48pt. Depending on the font and text you’re using you will have to set the point size to match the size of the ribbon. If you want to use the same font as I am, you can download it for free from Font Squirrel.

With the text selected, go to the Appearance Panel and add a White fill, and then a fill in a dark shade of the ribbons main color (for this I’m using dark red). Make sure that the darker color is under the white layer. Select the darker color in the Appearance Panel (make sure the text is still selected or the effect won’t be applied) and go to the "fx" button and navigate to Distort & Transform > Transform. Move the layer -5px Vertical and click OK. This will make a shadow for the text.

Step 8

Your ribbon should look something like this. Now it’s time make it curvy. Select the text and the top part of the banner and group them together (Command + G) then select the two side parts of the ribbon and Group them together using the same technique. You should now have two groups that make up the ribbon.

Select both groups of the Ribbon with the Selection Tool (V) and go to the "fx" button in the Appearance panel and navigate to Warp > Arch. Set the Bend to 20% and click OK.You will now have a curvy banner.

Step 9

Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and Option + Click onto the artboard and create a 350px by 350px circle.

Select the circle and move it behind the top group of the ribbon with Command + Left Square Bracket. The circle should be nested between the top and bottom groups of the ribbon like you see in the image below.

Step 10

Select the circle and apply a radial gradient from a light tone to a slightly darker tone. I’ve used white to light blue for mine, you can use any color you like as long as it’s lighter than the ribbon (this helps the text stand out). In the Appearance Panel add a 1 or 2pt stroke in a slightly darker tone than the gradient to define the outside of the circle.

In the image below you will see how I’ve positioned the gradient. You can edit the gradient any time you like, simply select the circle then chose the Gradient Tool (G) to move and edit the gradient within the artwork.

Step 11

It wouldn’t be a sale without the eye-catching discount. I’ve added some text using the font "Museo Slab 500" which is also a free font, you can download it from FontSpring.com (you will need to register for an account).

Note: I’ve been pretty lazy here as I’m working to create the design without much effort, so to make the text balance, I’ve broken it into two lines and reduced the font size of the bottom line. A better way to do this would be to properly align two different lines of text and use the kerning and tracking to make it look completely balanced. We don’t have time for this today, we want some holidays!

Select the sale text and in the Appearance Panel go to the "fx" button and navigate to Stylize > Outer Glow. Set the glow to a light color (I’ve used white) with a Mode of Normal and a 45px Blur. You won’t notice much after this step, it just lightens the area behind the text a bit to make it stand out a bit more.

Step 12

Now we will make a hanger for the circle which will turn it into a decoration. Draw a Rectangle with the Rectangle Tool, select it and in the Appearance Panel, click the "fx" button and navigate to Warp > Arch. Set the Bend to -15% and click OK. Once that is done, go to Object > Expand Appearance to release the shape and make it easier to work with.

Add a Linear Gradient similar to the example below to make a metallic finish. If you want to make a gold effect substitute the gray tones for yellow and light brown.

Step 13

Draw an Ellipse at the top of the Arch Shape to create the top of the hanger, fill it with a Linear Gradient using the mid and dark tones of the previous gradient (simply remove the lightest color).

Step 14

Draw a Circle with a stroke that compliments the scale of the hanger (I’ve used 8pt) and with the Scissors Tool (C) click on the points at the left and right sides of the circle to cut it in half. Delete the bottom section.

Go to Object > Expand to turn the stroke into a shape. Fill the resulting shape with the same gradient that you used for the top of the hanger (the one you made in step 13).

Step 15

This is the basic design for the holiday sale. From here I have added a grain effect to the main circle to give it a more retro feel to match the ribbon.

To add the texture go to the "fx" button in the Appearance panel and navigate to Texture > Grain. You can see the settings I’ve used in the image below. Play around with the settings to come up with something you like.

This is the final effect. I also changed the stroke to 1pt because the grain was making the 2pt line stand out too much and re-positioned the hanger to make a nicer design.

Note: It’s best to add any raster effects when you have finished the main design as it can often slow down the computer and sometimes even freezes the application.

Step 16

I’ve also noticed that the banner and the hanger could use a drop shadow. To do this, select the top group of the banner, then go to the "fx" button in the Appearance panel and navigate to Stylize > Drop Shadow. To keep the softer tones of the design I’ve used a dark tone of the main color (in this case a dark blue) and set the Mode to Multiple, the Opacity to 40% , the offset to 3px and the blur to 3px.

To add a drop shadow to the hanger, I’ve made an ellipse, colored it a mid tone of the main color (in this case a mid gray/blue) and sent it behind the hanger (press Command + Left Square Bracket until it’s in position) With the shadow selected, go to to the "fx" button in the Appearance panel and navigate to Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to 3.7 pixels (or anything that looks good in the preview) Click OK.

Conclusion

Experiment with different colors and letters to see what you can come up with. If you want to change the angle of the ribbon, go to Object > Expand Appearance before you move it as the warp effect will change in unexpected ways because of the position (Be sure to save a copy before you do this as you cannot edit the ribbon after expanding it). I hope you’ve enjoyed this tut.

Create Vintage Vector Bottle Caps

2012-05-24T18:27:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Open up a new project at least 600px by 400px. Using the Ellipse Tool (L), click on the canvas. A dialogue box should appear. Enter a height and width of 100px. You should now have a perfect circle on your canvas. Give the circle a black Fill and no Stroke.

Step 2

Next, double-click the Crystallize Tool in the Tool Pallet. The Crystallize Tool can be found under the Warp Tool. A dialogue box should appear. Enter the setting indicated below, then click OK.

Step 3

Now with the Crystallize Tool selected, hover over the black circle. If you have Snap To Point activated you will notice the Crystallize Tool snap to the center of the circle. If Snap To Point is not activated, go to View > Snap To Point. Once the Crystallize Tool is snapped to the center of the black circle, click once with the mouse. Your shape should now look like the image shown below.

Step 4

Next, draw a new circle with a height and width of 120px centered over the old shape.

Step 5

With both shapes selected, hit the Intersect button in the Pathfinder Window (Window > Pathfinder).

Step 6

Now go to Object > Transform > Scale. Set the Scale to 200%, then click OK.

Step 7

Apply a Linear Gradient using a 10% gray and a 60% gray, make sure the lighter color is on the left. Give it a rotation of -24 degrees. The Gradient Pallet can be found under Window > Gradient.

Step 8

Now for the tricky part. With the Star Tool selected (the Star Tool can be found under the Rectangle/Ellipse Tool in the Tool Pallet), click on the canvas. A dialogue box should appear. Give Radius 1 a value of 190px, Radius 2 a value of 50px, and set the Points to 24, then click OK.

Now do it again, but this time give Radius 2 a value of 80px. You should now have two large 24 point stars. Now center all three shapes. You may have to nudge and rotate the star shapes slightly in order to line up the shapes to look like the image below.

Step 9

Now select the back most shape. Copy it (Edit > Copy), then Paste in Front (Edit > Paste in Front). This will make a duplicate of the shape directly in front of itself. With the duplicate selected, hold Shift and select one of the two 24 point stars created in Step 8. In the Pathfinder Window, hit the Intersect button (shown below). Copy & Paste in Front the back most shape once again creating another duplicate. With the duplicate selected, hold Shift and select the other 24 point star. Hit the Intersect button again. Your shapes should now look like the image shown below.

Step 10

Next, select the front most shape and give it a Linear Gradient using white and a 70% gray. Give the rotation a value of -90 degrees making sure that the white is at the top end.

Step 11

With the middle shape selected, give it a Linear gradient as well, but with a 50% and 20% gray. Give the rotation a value of -24 degrees and make sure that the darker color is at the top-left.

Step 12

Next, create a circle using the Ellipse Tool (L). Make sure it is 215px both high and wide. Center it, then give it a Linear Gradient using white and an 80% gray. Set the rotation to -45 degrees and make sure the white is at the top-left.

Step 13

Create another centered circle, this time 190px both high and wide. Give it a Linear Gradient using white and a 20% gray. Set the rotation to -45 degrees and make sure the white is at the top-left again.

Step 14

With both new circles selected, double-click the Blend Tool (W) in the Tool Pallet. A dialogue box should appear. Set the Spacing to Specified Steps and give it a value of 10, then Click OK. Now go to Object > Blend > Make.

Step 15

Now we’ll add some color. Select the back most shape, Copy it (Edit > Copy) then Paste in Back (Edit > Past in Back). This will duplicate the shape and place it behind the original. Color the duplicate red (R=220, G=0, and B=0).

Select all the shapes except the new red shape and Group them together (Object > Group). With the grouped object selected, go to the Transparency Window (Window > Transparency) and select Multiply from the drop-down menu. Your image should now look like that shown below.

Step 16

Now we can add some shine. To create the crescent shape, create two large circles 200px wide and tall. Center them over the artwork, then nudge the front circle to the left 7px and down 7px. With both circles selected, hit the Minus Front button in the Pathfinder Window. You should now have the crescent shape. With the shape selected, give it a Linear Gradient using white on both ends. Set the Opacity of the white color stop on the right side of the Gradient Slider to 0%. Also, set the rotation to -45 degrees.

Step 17

How about some text or a familiar logo? Simply pick your font and type out some text. Mickey Rossi was nice enough to let me use his font Ballpark Weiner for this tutorial. Make sure you place your text above the solid red layer, but below the grouped object. This will ensure that your logo has some of the shading on it otherwise it will look like it’s just floating in front of the image.

Step 18

So that’s one, but how about the competition? Make a copy of the existing object. Draw a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M) 300px wide by 100px high. Center it over the artwork.

Step 19

With the new rectangle selected, go to Effect > Warp > Flag. Set the Bend to 25% and click OK.

Step 20

Next, with the rectangle still selected, go to Object > Expand Appearance. Your shape should look like that shown below.

Step 21

Now with both the flag shaped rectangle and the red background shape selected, hit the Divide button in the Pathfinder Window.

Step 22

Delete the two extra shapes on the left and right. Leave the top shape colored red, color the middle shape white, and color the bottom shape blue (R=0, G=45, and B=130). Now with all three colored shapes selected, go to Object > Arrange > Send To Back. You object should now look like the image shown below.

Step 23

Now bring back in your text or logo. I repositioned the 5 cent mark to the top-left and re-colored the text red. Remember to place the logo above the colored shapes, but below the grouped object.

Step 24

To enhance the text to make it look more like the competitor’s vintage logo, select the text minus the 5 cent mark and go to Effect > Warp > Flag. Set the Bend to 30 and click OK.

Step 25

In the Transform Pallet (Window > Transform), set the rotation to 5 degrees.

Conclusion

There you have it, a simple vintage vector bottle caps, just like that!

Design a Print-Ready Beer Label

2012-05-24T18:19:00.000+05:30

Step 1 - Create the Document

Open a new Illustrator document 11 inches by 8.5 inches in CMYK color mode. This probably isn’t your default setting so make sure to change the Units and Color Mode for this one.

Select the Rectangle Tool (M), with no fill and .25pt stroke, then click once on the stage and enter 4in wide by 3.5in high. Select Ellipse Tool (L), click once on the stage and enter 2.1in by 2.2in. Select both the ellipse and the square, and in the Align palette center the objects horizontally and vertically.

Step 2 - Make Crop Marks

Select the square, and in the Menu go Filter > Create > Crop Marks. Increase the square size to 4.125in by 3.875in. This square will be the size of our image, which is 1/8in larger than the crop marks. This ensures no white-space when you or the printers cut these labels out.

Step 3 - Center the Label

Select all, and in the Align palette toggle the artboard and center the label horizontally and vertically. Select the square and crop marks and in the Menu select Object > Lock > Selection (Command + 2).

Step 4 - Create the Oval

Ok now we can start really making graphics. First off, select the ellipse and copy it (don’t paste it quite yet). Fill the oval with dark green (#6B752A). Give the oval an inside light green (#D3E27E) 3pt stroke. Use the Appearance palette to add an outside dark green (#6B752A) 1.5pt. stroke.

Step 5 - Cut Out the Center

Go ahead and paste in front your copied ellipse (Command + F). Double-click the Scale Tool to bring up the dialogue, and enter 65% in the Uniform field. Select both ellipses and in the Pathfinder palette, then apply Subtract From Shape Area an then click Expand.

Step 6 - Create the Brand Name Text

You should still have your original oval in the clipboard, so paste the ellipse in front again (Command + F). Double-click the scale Tool to bring up the dialogue, and this time enter 71% in the Uniform field. Select the Type On A Path Tool and choose a font (I used Copperplate bold at 34pt) and set the color to white. The Copperplate font-family is available at MyFonts.com. Click on the oval and type the brand name of the product.

Adjust tracking (space between the letters), if necessary, by clicking between the letters and pressing (Command + Shift + Left or Right Bracket keys). >Adjust the baseline, if necessary, by increasing or decreasing the size of the ellipse that the text is on.

Step 7 - Rotate the Text

View the rulers by pressing (Command + R) or Menu > View > Show Rulers, select the type and drag a horizontal guide from the top ruler to the center of the circle. If the guide isn’t visible, then go to Menu > View > Show Guides (Command + Semicolon). Use the Selection Tool (V) to drag the handle of the text to the centered position.

Step 8 - Add a Background to the Oval

Select the Ellipse Tool, click and hold Alt + Shift while dragging outward from the center of your oval to create a circle that extends past the empty center of the oval. Fill it with orange (#DF771C) and no stroke. Right-click > Arrange > Send to Back (Command + Alt + Left Bracket key) to send the orange circle to the back.

Step 9 - Create the Main Banner Strip

Select the rectangle Tool (M) and click once on the stage. Enter 2.2in and 0.3in for width and height. With the rectangle selected, go to the Gradient palette and choose a horizontal linear gradient color #533930 on each end and #A6583F in the middle. Give the rectangle a 1pt black stroke, and check the Round Join option.

Step 10 - Squeeze It!

In the Menu, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make With Warp and choose Squeeze, check Horizontal, and Bend only 2%.

Step 11 - Create the Banner Text

Type the name of the product and center it in the rectangle (I’ll stick with Copperplate for all the text).

Step 12 - Create the Banner Tail Part 1

Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and click once on the stage, enter .5in width and .3in height. Give it a 1pt black stroke, using the Round Join option again. Give this rectangle a linear gradient with #533930 on the left and #DF771C on the right.

Step 13 - Create the Banner Tail Part 2

With the rectangle selected in the menu go to Object > Path > Add Anchor Points. With the Direct Selection Tool (A) select the middle point on the right of the rectangle, and drag it towards the center to create the end of the tail. Hold Shift while dragging to force it to be straight.

Step 14 - Position and Duplicate the Tail

Place this tail object on the right end of the rectangle, and nudge it down a bit. Send it behind the rectangle with a right-click > Arrange > Send Backward (Command + Left Bracket key). Copy the tail object and paste in front (Command + F). Right-click the copied tail object and select Transform > Reflect. Choose vertical and 90 degrees for the angle. Move the reflected tail object over to the left side, holding Shift while dragging to force it to be straight.

Step 15 - Create Banner Details

Now, a detail to make the banner more realistic: zoom in close to where the right tail meets the rectangle. Choose the Pen Tool(P) and draw a shape with four clicks: the bottom right of the rectangle, the bottom left of the tail, straight up to any position (hold Shift) and back to the beginning point to close.

Fill the shape with a dark brown (#2D1C17) and 1pt rounded black stroke. Press Command + Left Bracket key until the shape is behind the rectangle but in front of the tail.

Copy it, paste in front (Command + F), Right-click > Transform > Reflect > choose Vertical 90 degrees. Shift-drag to the same spot on the left end of the banner.

Step 16 - Warp the Banner

Select the entire banner and in the menu go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make With Warp, choosing Arc and 12% for the Bend.

Step 17 - Position the Banner

Now let’s place the banner in the design. Click the brand name text (“VECTOR TUTS”) so the center point is visible. Drag a vertical guide from the left ruler to the center point. >Place the banner in position, using the vertical guide to keep it centered.

Step 18 - Create a Wheat Grain

We could just grab an image of wheat or a stock vector, but would you learn much? Nope! Let’s make stalks of wheat from scratch. Use the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a small thin vertical oval of any color.

Use the Convert Anchor Point Tool (which is nested in the Pen Tool) and click the top point of the oval. Use the Selection Tool (V) and press Alt while dragging to create a copy of this tear drop shape to use as the tip of the wheat in a few steps. Place it aside for now.

Use the Direct Selection(A) Tool and drag the top point up and to the left on our original tear drop shape. With the Direct Selection Tool, drag the left side curve handle to the right, which curves the tear drop shape. Now it looks more like a grain of wheat.

Double-click the Rotate Tool (R) and choose an angle of about -20 degrees. You want to get that tip pointing slightly right of vertical.

Step 19 - Transform the Wheat Grain

From the Menu, select Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. This is a great feature of Illustrator. You can use it to create all kinds of interesting patterns and shapes. In this case, we will repeat the wheat grain to make the rest of the wheat stalk. Check Preview and enter 3 for copies and -0.15 (about) for more vertical. Click OK when it looks right.

Step 20 - Copy and Position on the Left Side

Copy it, paste in front (Command + F), then right-click > Transform > Reflect, and choose Vertical 90 degrees. Nudge it left into position. Place your copied tear drop on the tip.

Use the Line Segment Tool(\) and create a white vertical line for the stem, below the grains.

Step 21 - Warp the Wheat

Select all the wheat elements and make them white. From the menu select Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp, and choose Arc for the style, check Vertical, and about a 30% Bend.

Step 22 - Position the Wheat in the Label

Place the wheat in the label, resizing and rotating as necessary, then go to Arrange > Send Backward (Command + Left Bracket key) to send it behind the banner. Copy and paste in front (Command + F), right-click and Transform > Reflect, choose Vertical 90 degrees and move the copy to the right side of the label.

Step 23 - Add Text to the Bottom

Add the word “Ale” or “Root Beer” or whatever the type of drink it is. In the Menu, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp and enter an acceptable negative number under the Arch effect. Position the text in the middle-bottom of the label.

Step 24 - Add Text to the Top

Select and copy the main large text-on-a-path. Paste in front (Command + F). Increase the size so the circle is just larger than the label oval. Use the Selection Tool (V), and click any corner of the text-on-a-path and Alt + Shift-drag to expand equally.

Type a catch-phrase or quote to personalize the product. Decrease the font size as necessary and use the color #6B752A. Use the Selection Tool (V) to adjust the position of the text on the curve, by dragging the right handle.

Step 25 - Grab a Photo

Get a photo of the Brewmaster, or any person you’d like to feature on the label. It’s the head and shoulders we’re looking for. It is very helpful to have the subject on a white background. Many thanks to wookiestock atdeviantart.com for this photo I have used in this tutorial. Open the photo in Adobe Photoshop.

Step 26 - Prepare the Photo

In the Photoshop Menu go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold and adjust the slider until there’s a good balance of light and dark in the face. We will need the face area to be contained, as in no breaks along the perimeter of the head, because we will fill the face in with white later. So for this image, I darkened his left cheek and right ear so there is a complete outline of his head after the Threshold is applied.

Use the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) to create a selection around the head and shoulders. Go to Select > Inverse (Command + Shift + I) and delete everything but the head and shoulders. Crop and save the photo.

Step 27 - Live Trace!

Open your new face photo in Illustrator. Select the image and click Live Trace, adjusting the settings as needed.

Step 28 - Live Paint!

Click Live Paint, then with the Live Paint Bucket Tool (K), fill all the black areas with dark brown (#533930). Fill all the face portions with white, using the Live Paint Bucket Tool. Clean up the image as necessary and place it in the middle of the label.

Step 29 - Add Depth to the Face

Now we want the top of the head to pop out from the oval, but the rest to go behind the oval, making a 3-D effect. Select the face, copy (Command + V), and paste in front (Command + F). Right click and select ungroup (Command + Shift + G.)

In the Pathfinder palette, choose Add To Shape Area and click Expand to make the face one solid shape.

Use the Knife Tool to chop off the top of the head, and delete the rest by using the Direct Selection Tool (A). The Knife Tool is one I hardly ever use, and there’s no shortcut for it, so it may be tricky to find. It is hidden under the Eraser Tool (Shift + E)

Select the face and send it back behind the oval. The chopped-off head part will be in front now.

Wow this thing is really starting to shape up! All we need now is a background and the label is finished!

Step 30 - Hook Up the Color and Lines

Select the label square and fill with light green (#D3E27E), and remove the stroke. Use the Line Tool to create two horizontal .25pt black lines; one near the top and one near the bottom. Feel free to make them longer than the square, as we will crop them later.

Step 31 - Blend the Lines

The Blend Tool makes it easy to repeat evenly these lines across the background. Select them both and in the Menu go to Object > Blend > Blend Options and choose 50 for Specified Steps and click OK. Now go to Object > Blend > Make to apply the effect. Send the lines behind the artwork but keep them in front of the green background.

Step 32 - Fade the Lines in the Center

Another really cool feature in Illustrator is the Opacity Mask. I will use it here to fade out the lines. Copy the green square and paste it in front of the lines, and give it a radial black and white gradient, with black in the center.

Select the square and the lines, and in the Transparency palette menu, choose Make Opacity Mask.

Adjust the gradient to fade the lines out in the center. Your label design is done!

Make sure to click the left square in the Transparency palette when you are finished editing the opacity mask, because you will not be able to select other elements until you do.

Step 33 - Flatten Transparency

Some printers freak out when they see transparency-related effects, so we will flatten ours to be safe. Select the opacity mask and choose Object > Flatten Transparency.

Step 34 - Create Outlines

Select all the text in this file (or just select all (Command + A), and in the Menu choose Type > Create Outlines. This will ensure your typography is preserved. It may be a good idea to save your file before this step, in case you want to edit the text later.

Step 35 - Arrange Two Labels on the Artboard

Select everything including the crop marks and group it (Command + G). Change the x-position to 3in. Copy and paste another label in front (Command + F). Move the x-position of the second label to 8in.

Ungroup the objects until you can select and delete the horizontal crop marks in the middle of the two labels. Here is your final, printer-friendly, super tasty illustration!

Thanks for following along, and I really hope your labels are a big hit!

Here is the original label I made for “Huja Brew.”

Create a Trendy Retro Type Treatment

2012-05-24T18:13:00.002+05:30

Step 1

Before we get started in Illustrator, download the Museo Font, and install it on your system.

Step 2

Create a new Letter sized document, then use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a rectangle that is the size of your document.

Step 3

Fill the rectangle with a Radial Gradient from the Gradient Panel. Change the first swatch on the Gradient slider to a violet color and change the second swatch to a dark violet color.

Step 4

With the Line Tool (\), draw a line at a 45 degree angle that stretches from the bottom left corner to the top right side. Change the stroke to 5 pt and change the color to white (so you can see it against the background, but we will be changing it soon).

Step 5

Select the line with the Selection Tool (V) while holding down Alt, and drag out a copy to the right and down so the copied line is still inside the background.

Step 6

Select both lines and and create a blend by going to Object > Blend > Make. Next, go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, to bring up the Blend Options dialog. Change the Spacing to Specified Steps from the drop-down menu and change the option to 15.

Step 7

With the blend selected, go to Object > Expand to separate the blend. With the lines still selected, expand again, to outline the stokes.

Step 8

Fill the outlined line with the same Radial Gradient that you used for the background, but change the first swatch to a lighter violet than before.

Step 9

Select the lines and the background, then use the Gradient Tool (G) to adjust the gradient. Click in the middle of the rectangle and drag to the top of the rectangle. This will match up the transitions on the gradients.

Step 10

Create a ellipse with the Ellipse Tool (L) that is 10 px by 10 px. Fill it will a violet color.

Step 11

With the ellipse selected, go to Object > Path > Offset, to bring up the Offset Path dialog. In the dialog, change the Offset to -4 px. Change the offset ellipse to a light orange.

Step 12

Select the bigger ellipse and change the opacity to 0 from the Transparency Panel. Select both ellipses and create a blend by going to Object > Blend > Make.

Step 13

Before you start making a brush in this step, save a copy of the blend for later use. Select the new blend and drag it into the Brush Panel. When the New Brush dialog opens, select New Scatter Brush from the dialog. When the Scatter Brush Options dialog opens you are going to need to change a couple of settings.

First change all the drop-down menus to Random except the Rotation. Change the first field for the Size to 20 and the second field to 100. For the Spacing, change the first to 15 and the second to 115. For the Scatter, change the first to -220 and the second to 175.

Step 14

With the Brush Tool (B), draw a wavy brush stroke in the middle of your background, creating a scatter of your blend.

Step 15

With the brush stroke selected, change the Blend Mode to Overlay from the Transparency Panel and give it an Opacity of 25.

Step 16

Draw four to five more brush strokes, then change all of them to Overlay. Change the opacity on the stroke, but vary the percentage as well as the stroke weights.

Step 17

Select the blend copy that you saved from Step 13 and scale it to 52 px by 52 px.

Step 18

Set the copied shape to Overlay and it place over your brush strokes.

Step 19

Copy (Command + C) the blend ellipse and Paste (Command + V) a couple more times. Scale the copies separately to get varying sizes, then place them in different spots over the brush strokes.

Step 20

That should do it for the background. Now let’s take a look at the text. Type out some copy and change the font to the Museo font you downloaded. Change the Tracking to -100 from the Character Panel. Outline the text by going to Type > Create Outlines.

Step 21

With the outlines selected go Object > Ungroup (Command + Shift + G).

Step 22

In this step we’re going to modify the text. If you typed something different, the basic idea of connecting the letters will be the same. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), press Shift and select the top right line on the V. Drag the line until it’s overlapping the E. You might need to modify individual anchor point as well. In the example below, I dragged the top right anchor point to the right to close up the gap.

Step 23

Continue doing this to the other horizontal elements of the outline text until all the text is connected.

Step 24

Fill the text with a Linear Gradient. Add another swatch to the Linear Gradient by clicking right below the Gradient Slider in the Gradient Panel to give you a three swatch gradient. Change the first swatch to white, the second swatch to a light blue-green color, and the last swatch to a dark blue-green color. Use the Gradient Tool to adjust the gradient so the white color is on top.

Step 25

Place the text in the middle of your document over all the other artwork.

Step 26

For this next step, we’re going to create another brush. Draw a 14 px by 14px ellipse. With the Direct Selection Tool, select the right anchor point and drag it to the right – doubling its length. With the point still selected, set the Control Panel defaults to the Anchor Options. To the left of the Control Panel, press the Corner button, converting the anchor point to a corner.

Step 27

Fill the shape with black, drag the shape into the Brush Panel, and Choose New Art Brush from the New Brush dialog. When the Art Brush dialog appears, change the Colorization Method to Tints at the bottom of the dialog.

Step 28

For this step I’m going to use the Brush Tool (B). If you’re not comfortable with the Brush Tool (B) for making paths ,then you can use the Pen Tool (P) and apply the brush to the stroke. Create a brush stroke to the bottom left of the V. It is a good idea to change the stroke color to a lighter color than black so you can see it.

Step 29

Drawn another brush stroke above the previous one.

Step 30

Expand the brush strokes by going to Object > Expand Appearance. Next, it’s a good idea to clean up the leftover paths by going to Object > Path > Clean Up.

Step 31

Fill the outlined brush stroke with a Linear Gradient. Make the first swatch a blue and the second swatch a dark blue. Select the text and bring it to the front by going to Object > Arrange > Bring to Front.

Step 32

Copy (Command + C) and Paste (Command + V) both shapes numerous times around the text. On some of the copies, change the swatches on the Linear Gradient to a pink color and a dark pink color. Adjust the gradient so the darkest part of the gradient is closet to the text. When you place the copies around the text make sure to rotate and flip the shapes. All done!

Final Image

Below is the final type treatment image again.

Design a Grungy Circular Logo

2012-05-24T18:12:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Open up Illustrator and create a new document. Grab the ellipse tool. Draw out a new circle while holding down shift to maintain the proportions. Fill the circle with a light blue, I used #A1BEE4. Set the stroke to none.

Step 2

With the circle you just drew selected, hit ‘ctrl + c’ to copy it and ‘ctrl + f’ to paste it in place in front. Now resize it down while holding ‘shift + alt’ to scale it proportional in place. Change the fill color to a nice brown, I used #766352. Keep the stroke at none.

Step 3

Next up, I went in search for some free vector palm trees for our logo. I found some nice ones at vector4free, you can download them here. Place them in your Illustrator document. Size the trees and birds and place them in the logo using the image below as a reference. Change the fill color to the same light blue you used before. I also ungrouped them by selecting Object->Ungroup. Then I moved one of the birds up and to the right. I just thought it looked better there :)

Step 4

Now we are going to start work on the text of the logo. We’ll need a path to work with, so select the inner brown circle and click ‘ctrl + c’ then ‘ctrl + f’ to paste a new copy in place, in front of the old one. In the tool bar on the left, click and hold the text tool to reveal all the options within that block. Select the ‘Type on a Path Tool.’ Now change your font settings to the same brown color, Trajan Pro for the font, and 45 for the Font Size, set the text alignment to center. Lastly, open up your Character palette. If it’s not already open, then click Window->Type->Character. Change the Tracking to 50, the Vertical Scale to 90% and the Baseline Shift to 10pt. All these settings are suggestions for those who are following along, they may vary for you, if you’ve sized things differently. So use trial and error until things look just right.

Step 5

You should still have the ‘Type on a Path Tool’ selected, now click on the top of the circle you copied and pasted in the previous step. This will send your cursor to the bottom of the circle, because you’re working on type on a closed path (a circle) and this is the center point. No problem, will fix this in the next step. Type in your words, in this case, “Blue Palms.”

Step 6

Now we need to rotate that text along the path and into the correct spot. To do so, grab the direct selection tool, and hover over the text at the bottom where the blue vertical line is (it’s circled in the image below). When your cursor is over that line, you’ll notice that your cursor changes to an arrow with a small upside down ‘T’ next to it. When you get that cursor, click and drag your text to rotate it along the confines of the path. Place it evenly at the top. If you used different settings, you may have to adjust some of the character attributes to get it to sit properly.

Step 7

We add the text “Beach Resort” in much the same manner. This time copy and paste the bigger blue circle in front of itself, we will use this as our path. Change the character settings to 200 for the Tracking, 12 for the Baseline Shift, and 43pt for the Font Size. With the “Type Along a Path” tool selected, click at the top of your newly pasted circle. Type in your text. Now click Type->Type on a Path->Type on a Path Options. Check preview and flip, you will see the text flip over it’s path right away. There are some other interesting options in this window that are worth learning about, but this will suffice for our logo.

Step 8

Grab the ellipse tool and with the same brown color you used previously, draw two small circles between the words on each side. Use the align options to align the circles.

Step 9

In the last steps we are going to add our grunge. Select everything and choose Object->Group to group our entire logo together. Now find a texture that you want to use as an transparency mask. Below is the one that I used, which you are welcome to use as well. It’s modified from a texture I found at Grunge Textures.

Step 10

Open up your transparency palette, if it’s not already open click Window->Transparency. Click on the small arrow in the top right of the palette and choose “Make Opacity Mask” from the list of options that appear. Then click File->Place and drop in your texture that you are using. Resize it and adjust it until you have the texture you like. Make sure to click back on the image thumbnail within the transparency palette when you are done to get out of the transparency mask mode that you are in.

That’s It!

Creating a crazy cool logo

2012-05-24T18:10:00.002+05:30

Step 1

In Illustrator, using the Ellipse Tool (U) create a circle.

Step 2

Select the Circle and hit the Enter Key (return) the Move dialog box will open. Now we can move the circle horizontally or vertically and create copies as well.

First we will create the horizontal one, so just add the width of the circle in the horizontal field and click on the copy button. Repeat this process until you have 6 circles side by side.

Step 3

Lets create a circle below the first and the third circle. Those will be the Z and the G letters.

Step 4

Using the Direct Selection Tool(A), select some segments of the circles and delete them like the image below.

Step 5

Select all objects and change the Stroke Weight to 20pt, After that add 2 more elements above the Z and the R like the image below, and delete a segment of the last A. Tip: Use the Object>Transform>Move and Object>Transform>Reflectcommands for more precision.

Step 6

Change the stroke colors. I used green for the Z, brown for the As, red for the G and R, and blue for the O.

Step 7

Select the A or the second circle and open the Move dialog box. Move it closer to the first letter, Z. Repeat that for the other letters. After that change the order of the letters so the R goes in front of the last A, but through the O. Tip: To do that you will have to create new elements in order to mask them. Use the Move command for precision.

Step 8

Once you have a nice spacing and all the letters are well positioned, select all objects again and go to Object>Path>Outline Stroke. This will convert the Strokes to Fill.

Step 9

Select the G and the R and apply a linear gradient. Use Orange to Red for the colors.

Step 10

Duplicate the element above the Z and change its color to black. Go to Effects>Blur>Gaussian Blur and use like 3.5pt. After that place it beneath the Z and the R like the image below.

Conclusion

After we had an idea of what we were looking for, the design process became pretty straight forward. That means that once you know what you have to do the tool is just part of the process and you will find many ways to achieve the same result.

Web 2.0 Logo Reflection in Vector format

2012-05-24T18:09:00.002+05:30

To get started, Open your vector logo in Illustrator. I’m using the BittBox logo as an example, which has a dark background, but using the method I’m about to show you, background color isn’t a factor. Here is what my Illustrator file looks like when I start: (vector logo on a flat color background)

This is what it looks like selected:

First, make a duplicate of your logo by holding the “option/alt” AND “shift” keys, drag down, and release. Using this method allows you to keep your duplicate aligned exactly to the original. If you simply copy and paste, you will have to re-align the two logos.

Reflect the duplicated logo by right clicking (control + click: Mac) and selceting Transform > Reflect.

When reflecting, choose the “Horizontal” axis.

You should see your reflected logo similar to this:

Now move your reflected logo up to meet the bottom of the original. I like to leave a very small gap in between the two. It’s just my preference, but I think it adds a little extra dimension.

Select your original logo and “lock” it. This is setting up for a step to follow.

Now that your original logo is locked, create a rectangle on top that covers the entire path of your reflected logo. We are going to create an “Opacity Mask” out of this shape to control the appearance of the reflected logo. Opacity masks are similar to clipping masks in Illustrator, except they control transparency instead of visibility.

Fill that rectangle with a White-to-Black Gradient, and set the angle to -90. Opacity masks are always made using a White-to-Black or Black-to-White gradient, White being visible, and Black invisible.

This next part is up to you, but I usually make some adjustments to the gradient itself, to get my desired effect out of the Opacity Mask.

Now select both the reflected logo, and the gradient rectangle. (You can do this by hitting Control + A: PC, or Command + A: Mac, if everything else is locked like I mentioned above)

Apply your transparency mask by clicking on the arrow in the upper right of the Transparency Palette. Note: There is no right click for this, it must be accessed through the Transparency palette.

Now your gradient filled rectangle is controlling the opacity of the reflected logo!. You should see something similar to this, but it isn’t quite right yet, one more tweak, and your done.

Now to make the reflection a little more realistic, select your reflected logo, and take the transparency down. ( I took mine to 40%, but it’s up to you to get your desired effect)

And here is the final result:

Now you have a 100% vector logo with a spiffy Web 2.0 Reflection that is more versatile than any Photoshop tutorial can offer you. It can be scaled and manipulated to any size, for any purpose. You can import it into Photoshop and create raster images of any proportion. A great thing to have hanging around on your hard drive when you need a resize.

Logo Design Project

2012-05-24T18:08:00.000+05:30

Background information:
The whole idea behind myNiteLife is to provide an online organizer and planner for our local city of Sheffield's nightlife, where bars, restaurants and clubs amongst other venues are listed along with user reviews and ratings. Also, the site includes a planner based on a map of the city, where users can plan a route between venues and send out party arrangements to their friends.
With this information in mind, the brand should relate to the audience of 18-40 and express the fun, sexy and nocturnal aspects of city nightlife.

As always, the first stage of the process was to scribble down some ideas and drafts. The original ideas sketched out included the use of spotlights, rounded typefaces, dancing silhouettes, moon shapes and classy serif typfaces.

I then booted up Adobe Illustrator to test out a range of type treatments, ranging from thin and modern sans-serif to sexy and classy serifs.

The next stage was to develop various choices of type into draft logo concepts, basing some ideas on the initial thoughts doodled out in the sketches. Planning ahead to the website I knew that a fairly dark colour scheme would be used, therefore I developed the logos on a black background to make sure they looked their best.

Continuous ideas and concepts developed the logo into four possible concepts, these were then sent to a few friends for their thoughts.

The chosen version was the entirely slab-serif based logo, this was then concentrated on and tweaked slightly into two new versions. The first tweak was to test out the logo with tighter kerning making the letters butt into each other and the second was to swap the dot on the letter 'I' for a crescent moon to represent the night time element.

The tight kerning gave the logo a more modern and attractive appearance but made the letter 'I' interfere with the capital 'N'. Combining this with the use of the crescent moon was a perfect solution.
One other issue was the slight interference with the letter 'I' and the letter 't', experiments were made to knock out part of the letter with a flowing curve following the line of the 't'. This helps solve the problem and adds a little designerish touch!
The complete logo design was then complete, shown in it's barebones mono state before being treated to colour and subtle effects.

The Making of the myNiteLife Logo
Now you've seen my personal development thoughts behind the logo, I thought it would be great to show the techniques used in Adobe Illustrator to create the final logo from scratch.

First off, the wording 'my', 'nite' and 'life' were typed out and set in the chosen font of Clarendon, making use of both light and black variations.

The tight kerning was quickly applied by choosing the -75 option from within the character palette.

Additional kerning adjustments were made to individual letters, ensuring that all characters overlapped slightly. This was done by using the ALT key along with the left and right cursor keys.

As mentioned previously, this causes unwanted interference with some characters, the solutions of which were to add the pretty curve along the letter 'I' and swap the dot for a crescent moon.

The line of type was converted to outlines (Type > Create Outlines) to make each letter an editable shape. These were then ungrouped to enable access to the letters individually.

A temporary circle was used as a tool to measure the gap between the letters 'I' and 't'.

The same tool was used to plot a guide at the same distance from the bottom of the letter 't'.

A third guide was added to the lowest most part of the straight edge of the letter 'I'. Using all three guides a larger circle was drawn which resulted in an accurate curve that followed parallel to the outline of the letter 't'.

Using this new circle along with the Subtract from Shape Area option from the Pathfinder tool enabled the excess section of the letter 'I' to be chopped out.

The resulting shape of the letter 'I' I think gives a slightly more unique characteristic to the logo.

The final fix to the logo was to add the crescent moon shape to relate to the night aspect of the brand. To edit the letter 'I' the Compound Path was released to separate the shape into two pieces.

The dot was scaled up to give more of a visual impression, then a temporary circle was used to knock out an area of the shape to give the crescent shape.

The only remaining step was to clean up the logo by combining all the individual letter shapes into one complete object using the Add to Shape Area from the Pathfinder tool.

With the logo being generated in the mono state it could then be given some sprucing up with colour and slight visual effects. The colour purple was chosen for the brand to relate to the sexy and classy image that the myNiteLife site was to portray, and also gives a nice deep colour to represent the colours associated with dusk.

Create a Delicious Chocolate Text Effect

2012-05-24T18:06:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Open a new web document. Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a 16×16 px square then fill it with the brown color shown. Having this square selected go to Effect menu > Distort&Transform and apply the Transform effect. From the Object menu select Expand Appearance then Ungroup twice and you obtained the eight squares you need further.

Step 2

Now let’s compose the letters. Select the column of eight squares and while holding the Alt key drag them to duplicate the entire column. Do the same thing again to obtain the three columns that you will use for each of the letters. Next, put the four squares as shown in the image and multiply them (Alt+drag) to get the letter "C".

Step 3

For the letter "H" all you need are two copies of the three columns then put other two squares between them. The letter "O" is similar only delete the four squares in the corners. Duplicate the letters "C" and "O" and now you have all the letters.

Step 4

At this step you need a 32×32 px circle (twice the size of the square) and a copy of the brown square. Place the circle on top of the square and make sure that the center of the circle intersects the bottom left corner of the square. Select both shapes and click Intersect shape areas > Expand from the Pathfinder Panel. Do the same thing to obtain the other quarters of the circle. Next, delete the indicated squares of the letter "C" and put in their place the rounded corners.

In the image below you can see all the squares that were replaced. You are done with the letters but before you continue, Copy and Paste each one of them to the back because you will need them again later. For now you can hide them so they don’t bother you.

Step 5

Take a copy of the brown square then go to the Effect menu > 3D and apply the Extrude&Bevel effect. Choose the front position, a 15pt Extrude Depth and Rounded as the Bevel shape. You just obtained a perfect square of chocolate. Now go to the Appearance Panel and drag the thumbnail into the Graphic Styles Panel to save it.

If you lower the Extrude Depth from 15 pt to 10 pt you will obtain a glossier square of chocolate. Save this one into the Graphic Styles Panel also. In the image below you can see other types of chocolate that you can get by changing the fill color of the squares.

Step 6

Select all the squares that compose a letter and apply the style saved earlier. For the letters "H" and the second "C" I applied the first style saved at the previous step and for the others the Chocolate square 2 style. You can choose only one of the variants if you want. When you are done select Expand Appearance from the Object menu.

Step 7

Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a 630 x 170 px rectangle behind the letters then go to Effect menu > Distort&Transform and apply the Roughen effect. From the Object menu select Expand Appearance then Ungroup.

Step 8

Having the resulting shape selected go to Object menu > Path > Offset Path and apply a 10 px Offset value. Fill these two shapes with the colors shown then select them both and go to Object menu > Blend > Blend Options. Choose Smooth Color then go back to Object > Blend and select Make.

Step 9

Copy and Paste in front the smaller shape of the two (but drag it out of the Blend group) and fill it with the linear gradient shown. Next go to Effect menu > Sketch and apply the Chrome effect. Change the Blending mode to Multiply and reduce the Opacity to 25%.

Step 10

Copy and Paste the same shape twice. Leave one of them where it is (the red path) and move the second one to the right (the green path). Select both shapes and click Subtract from shape area > Expand from the Pathfinder Panel. You will obtain a compound path but go to Object menu > Compound Path and select Release. Keep only the yellow shapes you see below and fill them with the color shown. Next, having all these small shapes selected go to Effect > Blur and apply a 1.5 px Gaussian Blur then change the Blending mode to Soft Light.

Step 11

At this step you need two other copies of the same shape used earlier. Move one of them up (the pink path) then repeat the previous step to obtain more highlights. The fill color and the blur radius are the same only this time set them on Luminosity.

Create even more highlights in the same way.

Step 12

To create the tiny chocolate pieces, first draw a shape like in the image using the Pen Tool (P) or the Pencil Tool (N). Fill it with dark brown then go to Effect > Stylize and apply the Inner Glow effect. Next draw a smaller shape on top, as the red one and fill it with the color shown. Go to Effect menu > Blur and apply a 1 px Gaussian Blur then change the Blending mode to Luminosity. The other pieces are made in the same way only the blending modes of the small highlight shapes are changed for a different look. You can even reduce the opacity a bit if you think it’s necessary.

Here are all the tiny pieces of chocolate arranged randomly around the letters:

Step 13

Copy one of the chocolate squares (expanded) and select using the Direct Selection Tool (A) only the front square from the group. Go to Object menu > Path and select Add Anchor Points twice. Use these anchor points as reference and draw the three red paths between them. Stroke them with a brush called Tapered Stroke that you can find in the Brush Libraries Menu under Artistic > Artistic_Ink. Reduce the Stroke weight to 0.05 pt then go to the Object menu and select Expand Appearance. Fill the resulting stripes with the linear gradient shown.

Now multiply the new chocolate square and replace some of the others with them like in the image.

Step 14

All that is left to do is to add some shadows behind the letters. For that you need the copies of the letters that I said to keep at step 4. Having all the squares that compose the letter selected click Add to shape area > Expand in the Pathfinder Panel to unite them and obtain the letter "C". Fill it with dark brown then go to Effect > Blur and apply a 4 px Gaussian Blur. Do the same thing for the other letters.

Final Image

You are done and this is the final image. Now follow my example and go and eat some chocolate : )

Create a Jar Illustration and Splashy, Purple Text Effect

2012-05-24T18:05:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Create a 700px by 560px, RGB document. Start with the background. You’ll need this photo. Save it in your hard drive, then drag it inside your illustrator document. Make sure that it covers your entire artboard.

Now pick the Rectangle Tool (M). Create a shape the size of your artboard, fill it with white, then open the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency). Select this fresh shape along with the photo, open the fly-out menu of the Transparency panel, then go to Make Opacity Mask. Finally, lock this masked shape to make sure that you don’t select or move it accidentally.

Step 2

Turn off the visibility for the masked shape made in the previous step. Next, you’ll create the starting shapes for the jar illustration. First, turn on the Grid (View > Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). You’ll need a grid every 5px. Go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid, enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box.

You can also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to replace the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Unit > General. All these options will significantly increase your work speed.

Now, let’s create these shapes. Start with the Ellipse Tool(L) and create a 105 by 30px shape. Fill it with any color, then double-click on it (in the Layers panel) and name it “1.” Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M). First, create a 105px by 85px shape, then create a 105px by 30px shape.

Place these two shapes as shown in the second image, then name them “2″ and “3.” Create a third rectangle. Make it 55px wide and 20px tall, place it as shown in the third image and name it “4.” Finally, create two similar rectangles. Both shapes must be 55px wide and 5px tall. Place them as shown in the final image and name them “5″ and “6.” For the moment the fill colors do not matter. I used different tints of red so that you can distinguish them from each other.

Step 3

Let’s make some changes for the shapes made in the previous step. Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on shape number 3. Select the top, left anchor point and move it 25px to the right. Now select the top, right anchor point and move it 25px to the left. Now, your shape should look like a trapezoid. Reelect it and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the data shown below, click OK, then go to Object > Expand Appearance. Double-click on the resulting shape and rename it “3.”

Step 4

Continue with shape number 5. Select it and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the data shown below image #1, click OK, then go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the data shown below image #2, click OK, then go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Move to shape number 6. Select it and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the data shown above image #3, click OK, then go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the data shown above image #4, click, OK then go to Object > Expand Appearance. Do not forget to rename the resulting shapes “5″ and “6.”

Step 5

Make a copy of shape number 5 (Command + C > Command + F). Select this copy along with shape number 3, and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Duplicate shapes 5 and 6. Select these two copies along with shape number 4, and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 6

Turn back to visible the background image. Now, let’s add some color for the jar shapes. Start with shape number 1. Fill it with R=241, G=242, B=242, then select the fill from the Appearance panel and lower it’s Opacity to 30%.

With the fill still selected, move to the bottom of the Appearance panel, and click on the Duplicate Selected Item icon. This will add a copy of the selected fill. Select this new fill and replace the fill color with the radial gradient shown in the second image. Take a closer look at the gradient image and you’ll notice a yellow zero. It stands for Opacity percentage.

Step 7

Turn off the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid), then go to Edit > Preferences > General and enter 0,5 in the Keyboard Increment box. Make two copies of the shape from the previous step (Command + C > Command + F).

Select the top copy, then hit the right arrow seven times, and the down arrow three times. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape and remove the second fill (the one with the radial gradient).

Step 8

Again, make two copies of this oval shape. Select the top copy and hit the down arrow only once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape and remove the fill with the gradient.

Step 9

Let’s move up to shapes number 2 and 3. First, make a new copy of the oval shape, then select these two shapes, and click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape, and the copy of the oval shape, then click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. The resulting shape should look like the third image. Fill it with R=241, G=242, B=242, and lower its Opacity to 40%.

Step 10

Once again, make a copy of the oval shape, then duplicate the shape made in the previous step. Select these fresh copies and click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape is filled with R=241, G=242, B=242, (Opacity 40%), then add a 0.25pt stroke. Align it to outside and set the color to R=241, G=242, B=242.

Step 11

Select the shape made in the previous step and make two copies. Select the top copy and hit the right arrow three times. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Select the resulting shape, remove the stroke and lower its Opacity to 30%. Again, make two new copies of the shape made in the previous step. Select the top copy and hit the down arrow once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Again, select the resulting shape, remove the stroke and lower its Opacity to 30%. One more time, make two copies of the shape made in the previous step. Select the top copy and hit the left arrow ten times. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape, remove the stroke, and lower its Opacity to 30%.

Step 12

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 105px by 20px shape, and place it as shown in the first image. Fill it with none and add a 0,5pt stroke (any color). Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the top anchor point, then hit the Delete button. Select the stroke of the resulting path, make it white, and lower its Opacity to 50%.

Make a copy of this path and the shape made in step number 10. Select both copies and click on the Divide button from the Pathfinder panel. You will get a group of two shapes. Ungroup them and then select the top shape. Fill it with the linear gradient shown in the final image and lower its Opacity to 30%. You will need the other shape in the next step.

Step 13

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a shape like the white one shown in the first image. Select it along with the bottom shape made in the previous step, and click on the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with white and lower its Opacity to 20%. Disable the Snap to Grid.

Duplicate the top shape (made in the previous step), then pick the Pen Tool (P), and create a shape like the white one shown in the third image. Select these two shapes and click on the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the final image, and lower its Opacity to 30%.

Step 14

Select shape number 5. Fill it with R=230, G=231, B=232, then select the fill (from the Appearance panel), and lower its Opacity to 60%. Add a 0,25pt stroke for this shape, align it to inside, and set the color to R=241, G=242, B=242.

Step 15

Make two copies of shape 5. Select the top copy and hit the left arrow ten times. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Now focus on the resulting shape. Remove the stroke, then select the fill and lower the Opacity to 30%.

Make two new copies of shape 5. Select the top copy, then hit the down arrow and the right arrow once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Again, remove the stroke of the resulting shape, then select the fill and lower its Opacity to 50%.

Step 16

Reselect shape number 5 and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1,5px Offset and click OK. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the second image, lower its Opacity to 50%, and remove the stroke.

Step 17

Let’s move to shape number 4. Fill it with R=241, G=242, B=242, then select the fill (from the Appearance panel) and lower its Opacity to 60%. Add a 0,25pt stroke for this shape, align it to outside and set the color to R=241, G=242, B=242.

Step 18

Make two copies of shape 4. Select the top copy and hit the left arrow ten times. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Now focus on the resulting shape. Remove the stroke, then select the fill, and lower the Opacity to 30%.

Make two new copies of shape 4. Select the top copy and hit the down arrow once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Again, remove the stroke of the resulting shape, then select the fill, and lower its Opacity to 50%.

Step 19

Reselect shape number 4 and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the second image, lower its Opacity to 30% and remove the stroke.

Step 20

Finally, focus on shape number 6. Fill it with R=230, G=231, B=232, then select the fill (from the Appearance panel), and lower its Opacity to 60%. Add a 0,25pt stroke for this shape, align it to outside, and set the color to R=241, G=242, B=242.

Step 21

Make two copies of shape 6. Select the top copy and hit the left arrow ten times. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Now focus on the resulting shape. Remove the stroke, then select the fill, and lower the Opacity to 30%.

Make two new copies of shape 6. Select the top copy, then hit the down arrow and the right arrow once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Again, remove the stroke of the resulting shape, then select the fill, and lower its Opacity to 50%.

Step 22

Reselect shape number 6 and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1,5px Offset and click OK. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the second image, lower its Opacity to 50%, and remove the stroke.

Step 23

Select the oval shape that stands for the bottom of the jar and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 3px Offset and click OK. Fill the resulting shape with R=109, G=110, B=113, lower its Opacity to 30%, then go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 3px radius and then click OK.

Step 24

Let’s create the etiquette. First, re-enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 75px by 50px shape and place it as shown in the first image. Fill it with R=172, G=132, B=87, then go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -3px Offset and click OK. Fill the resulting shape with none and add a 2pt stroke. Align it to the inside, set the color to R=249, G=224, B=168, then go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 25

Select the brown shape made in the previous step and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 2px radius, click OK, then go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape and make a copy in back (Command + C > Command + B).

Select this copy, fill it with white, lower its Opacity to 30%, then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the data shown in the second image, click OK, then go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 3px radius and then click OK.

Step 26

Select the expanded stroke made two steps ago. Add a 0,25pt stroke for this shape, align it to outside, and set the color to R=196, G=154, B=108. Grab the Type Tool (T), click on your artboard, and add the “Do Not Open” text. Set the color to R=35, G=31, B=32, and use the Tall Paul font with a size of 13pt.

Step 27

Select the text along with the other three etiquette components and group them (Command + G). Select this new group and go to Effect > Warp > Arch. Enter the data shown below then click OK. Now, your etiquette should look like the following image.

Step 28

Duplicate the large shapes that make up the overall jar. Select these copies, click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel, and disable the Snap to Grid. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create a shape like the one shown in the second image. Select it along with the other, fresh shape and click on the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=102, G=45, B=145, and move it into the bottom of the Layers panel, right above the background image.

Step 29

Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create some random shapes, and place them as shown in the following image. Fill them with R=102, G=45, B=145, and move them into the bottom of the Layers panel, right above the shape made in the previous step. Now the jar is done.

Step 30

Let’s continue with the text. Grab the Type Tool (T) and add your text. Add each character separately. Again, use the Tall Paul font with a size of 230pt and set the color to R=78, G=35, B=110. As you can see I used the “CuRsE” word (“C,” “R,” “S” in uppercase and “u,” “e” in lowercase). Play with these characters, rotate them, and stick them to each other. Finally, select all these characters and go to Object > Expand.

Step 31

Select the shapes made in the previous step and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 5px Offset and click OK. Delete the original shapes and keep these thicker shapes.

Step 32

Next you need to decrease the number of anchor points for the shapes made in the previous step. Select them and go to Object > Path > Simplify. Drag the Curve Precision slider to 95% and click OK.

Step 33

Let’s start adding the splashy effect for the text. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw a shape like the one shown in the following image. You can take a closer look at the zoomed areas to understand the little details of this shape.

Step 34

Next, you need to add some extra roundness to the overall text. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw some rounded shapes above the sharp areas of the text. Select all these purple shapes made in the last five steps and click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 35

Pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw a shape like the white one shown in the first image. Select it along with the large purple shape and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 36

Continue with the Pen Tool (P) and create a shape like the white one shown in the first image. Again, select it along with the large, purple shape and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 37

Next, using the Pen Tool (P) and some patience, add the shapes shown in the following images. Again, take a closer look at the zoomed images to spot the little details.

Step 38

Select the shapes created in the previous step along with the large, purple shape, and click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 39

Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and click on your artboard. Enter 5 in the Width box and 50 in the Height box, then click OK. This will create a 5px by 50px ellipse. Fill it with R=78, G=35, B=110, and go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the data shown below image #2, click OK, then go to Effect > Warp > Arc Lower.

Enter the data shown below image #3, click OK, then go to Effect > Warp > Fish. Enter the data shown below image #4, click OK, then go again to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the data shown below image #5, click OK, then go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 40

Select the shape made in the previous step and make several copies (Command + C > Command + F). Randomly resize these copies, rotate them and place them across the text as shown in the first image. Select these fresh shapes along with the large, purple shape and go to Object > Compound Path > Make. Fill the resulting shape with the radial gradient shown in the final image.

Step 41

Select the shape made in the previous step and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -5 Offset and click OK. Duplicate the resulting shape. Select this copy, then hit the down arrow and the right arrow three times. Reselect these two, new shapes and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 42

You should have a group of thin shapes resulted from the previous step. Fill these shapes with R=240, G=239, B=238. Now, select the entire group, change its blending mode to Overlay, then go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 3px radius and click OK.

Step 43

Reselect the large, purple shape and make two copies (Command + C > Command + F). Select the top copy and hit the down arrow and the right arrow once. Reselect both copies and hit the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shapes with R=102, G=45, B=145.

Step 44

Again, select the large, purple shape and make two copies (Command + C > Command + F). Select the top copy and hit the down arrow and the left arrow once. Reselect both copies and hit the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shapes with R=54, G=24, B=76.

Step 45

Now let’s focus on the large, purple shape. Select it, then select the fill from the Appearance panel, and go to Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow. Enter the data shown in the following image and click OK. With this shape still selected, open then fly-out menu of the Appearance panel, and click on the Add New Fill. This will add a second fill for the selected shape. Select this new fill, make it black, lower its Opacity to 25%, change the blending mode to Overlay, then go to Effect > Sketch > Chrome. Enter the data shown below and click OK.

Step 46

Reselect the shape edited in the previous step and add a 0.5 stroke. Make it black and align it to the outside. Next, reselect the entire path and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the data shown below and click OK. Now your text should look like the following image.

Step 47

Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and make some small circles. Fill them with R=249, G=224, B=168 and place them as shown in the following image.

Step 48

Now that we’re done with the text let’s continue with the cork. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a 45px by 45px shape. Fill it with R=196, G=154, B=108. Place it as shown in the following image and go to Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. Enter the data shown in the following image, click OK, then apply Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 49

Ungroup the two shapes resulted from the previous step. Select the bottom shape and fill it with the linear gradient shown below image #2. Make two copies of this shape. Select the top copy and hit the up arrow and the right arrow once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=71, G=44, B=26.

Step 50

Move to the other shape. First, fill it with the radial gradient shown below and then add a second fill. Select this new fill, make it black, lower its Opacity to 3%, then go to Effect > Artistic > Film Grain. Enter the data shown below image #2 and click OK.

Make a copy of this shape (Command + C > Command + F) and fill it only with white. Select this fresh copy along with the original shape and go to the Transparency panel. Open the fly-out menu and click on Make Opacity Mask. In the end your shape should look like the final image.

Step 51

Make two copies of the shape from the previous step. Select the top copy and hit the up arrow and the right arrow once. Reselect both copies and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape only with R=117, G=76, B=41.

Reselect the two large components of the cork and duplicate them. Select these two copies and click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with none, but add a 0,5 stroke. Align it to the outside and set the color to R=60, G=36, B=21.

Step 52

Select all the shapes that make up the cork and group them (Command + G). Select the group and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the data shown below and click OK.

Step 53

Finally, you need to create a thin art brush. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a 16px by 1px shape. Fill it with R=54, G=24, B=76, then pick the Convert Selection Tool (Shift + C) and click on the right anchor point.

Now your shape should look like the second image. Select it and go to the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes). Open the fly-out and go to New Brush. Check Art Brush, click OK, enter the data shown in the following image and click OK.

Step 54

Pick the Brush Tool (B). Select the the art brush made in the previous step, add some random paths as shown in the following image and you’re done.

Conclusion

The final image is below.

Create a Sparkly Text Effect

2012-05-24T17:59:00.002+05:30

Step 1

Create an 800 by 400px document. First, enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Next, you’ll need a grid every 10px. Go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 10 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. You can also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to replace the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Unit > General. Al these options will significantly increase your work speed.

Step 2

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a shape the size of your artboard (800 by 400px). Fill it with R=35 G=31 B=32 and go to the Appearance panel. Select the existing fill and click on the Duplicate Selected Item button from the bottom of the Appearance panel. This will add a second fill for your shape. You’ll need a built-in pattern for this new fill.

Go to the Swatches panel, open the fly-out menu and go to Open Swatch Library > Pattern > Basic_Graphics > Basic_Graphics_Lines. A new window with some nice patterns should open. Return to the Appearance panel and select that new fill. First, lower its opacity to 15% and change the blending mode to Multiply. Next, apply the 6 lpi 50% pattern and go to Effect > Artistic > Film Grain. Enter the data shown below and click OK. This will be the background for your text effect. Go to the Layers panel, double click on this shape, name it Background then lock it.

Step 3

Pick the Type Tool (T), click on the artboard and add your text. Use the Bambastika font with a size of 80pt and set the color at R=255 G=222 B=23. Make sure that your text is selected and go to Object > Expand (or Type > Create Outlines). Select the resulting group of shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make. This will turn your text into a simple, yellow compound path.

Step 4

Reselect the path created in the previous step and go to the Appearance panel. Select the existing fill, lower its opacity to 5% and go to Effect > Distort&Transform > Transform. Enter the data shown below, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 7px radius and click OK.

Step 5

Reselect the text path, go to the Appearance panel and add a first stroke. Make it 6pt wide, set its color at R=225 G=125 B=1 and go to the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke). First, check the Round Cap button from the Cap section then move down and check the Dashed Line box. Enter 0 in the dash box and 12 in the gap box. Now, your text should be dotted as shown in the following image. Make sure that the orange stroke is still selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the data shown below and click OK.

Step 6

Reselect the text path and go to the Appearance panel. Select the stroke and click on the Duplicate Selected Item from the bottom of the Appearance panel. Obviously, this will add a copy of the stroke. Select the bottom stroke from the Appearance panel and replace the orange tint with black. Click on the little arrow from the left of this stroke so that you can see the applied effects. Remove the existing Drop Shadow effect and go to Effect > Distort&Transform > Transform. Enter the data shown below, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 5px radius and click OK.

Step 7

Reselect the text path, go to the Appearance panel, select the orange stroke and duplicate it. Select this third stroke. First, remove the Drop Shadow effect, replace the orange with R=247 G=200 B=52 and lower the size at 4pt. Next, go to Effect > Distort&Transform > Transform. Enter the data shown below, click OK and go to Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Again, enter the data shown in the following image and click OK.

Step 8

Reselect the text path, go to the Appearance panel, select the yellow stroke and duplicate it. Select this fourth stroke. First, remove the Outer Glow effect then replace the yellow with R=253 G=249 B=198 and lower the size at 2pt. Next, open the existing Transform effect, enter the data shown in the following image and click OK.

Step 9

Reselect the text path, go to the Appearance panel and duplicate the stroke created in the previous step. Select this fifth stroke. First, remove the Transform effect and set the color at R=253 G=225 B=89. Next, go to Effect > Distort&Transform > Pucker&Bloat. Drag the slider at 15%, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 1px radius and click OK.

Step 10

Reselect the text path, go to the Appearance panel and duplicate the stroke created in the previous step. Select this sixth stroke. First, replace the existing color with R=253 G=225 B=89. Next, open the existing Pucker&Bloat effect and drag the slider at 30%. Click OK and open the Gaussian Blur effect. Enter a 2.5px radius and click OK.

Step 11

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M). Create a 50 by 240px shape, fill it with white and place it as shown in the first image. Grab the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on this white shape. Select the bottom anchor points and move them 100px to the right. The Snap to Grid will ease your work. Now, your shape should look like in the second image. Select it, make five copies (Control + C > Control + F) and place them as shown in the third image. Three to the left and three to the right. Again, the Snap to Grid will come in handy. Select the left group of white shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make then select the right group of white shapes and do the same thing. In the end you should have two white compound paths.

Step 12

Reselect the text path and make a copy in front (Control + Control + F). Select this copy along with the left, white compound path and click on the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting group of shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make.

Step 13

Select the shape created in the previous step and fill it with the linear gradient shown below. The yellow zero from the gradient image stands for opacity percentage. Make sure that this path is still selected, lower its opacity to 10% and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 10px radius and click OK.

Step 14

Reselect the text path and make a new copy in front (Control + Control + F). Select this copy along with the remaining white path and click on the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting group of shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make.

Step 15

Select the shape created in the previous step and fill it with the linear gradient shown below. Lower its opacity to 10% and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 10px radius, click OK and you’re done.

Conclusion

Now your work is done. Here is how it should look.

Create a Neon Text Effect

2012-05-24T17:58:00.002+05:30

Tutorial Details

Program: Adobe IllustratorCS-CS5;
Difficulty: Beginner
Estimated Completion Time: 15-20 minutes

Step 1

Create a neon text effect using the RGB color mode. If this mode is not set for your document, set it (File> Document Color Mode> RGB Color). Start by creating a background, take the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a rectangle with black fill.

Step 2

Keep the rectangle selected, go to Object> Create Gradient Mesh ... and in the dialogue window set the number of rows and columns equal three.

Select central nodes of the gradient mesh using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and fill them with different colors, with the same tool, move the nodes as shown in the figure below.

Step 3

Proceed to the creation of the text. Take the Type Tool (T) and create a text, in my case this word is NEON. I used the Tahoma bold font. You can change the height and width of text using the Selection Tool (V).

Step 4

Keep the text selected, go to Effect> 3D> Extrude & Bevel and set effect parameters in the dialog window.

If after having applied the effect, there is a need in editing of the parameters, you can get the access to them from the menu of the Appearance palette.

Step 5

Lock 3D object in the Layers palette, later it will be used as a template. Now prepare shapes to create Art Brush. These shapes can be obtained through the transformation of the circle. The height of the first shape is 2 px, and the height of the second one is 1 px.

It is not necessary that you copy them exactly, they just have to be similar to these shapes. Fill these shapes with gray color. Now drag these shapes one at a time to the Brushes palette and save new brushes as Art Brushes.

Step 6

For convenience in the further work, change the template font color to dark gray, almost black, and lock it in the Layers palette again.

Using the Pen Tool (P) create dashes as shown in the figure below, basing on the template. Apply the first created brush to the dashes.

Apply similar technique to all the letters of the template.

Step 7

Now take the second brush created in step 5, take the Paint Brush Tool (B) and continue to outline the letters of the template. If you did not do well with brush stroke, you can undo the last action by pressing the keyboard combination of Cmd / Ctrl + Z or the edit line shape with the help of the Direct Selection Tool (A).

Step 8

Take the Pen Tool (P) and outline the front surfaces of the letters, there is no need in being very exact.

Now the template can be deleted.

Step 9

Select all the elements created by us, except for the background, and set the Color Dodge Blending mode for them in the Transparency palette.

Step 10

Create the light glares on the letters. Take the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a circle. Fill it with radial gradient from white to black color.

Now set the Color Dodge Blending mode for this shape in the Transparency palette.

Place such items in different places. Gradient of some elements can be replaced with black and gray.

Step 11

Now create a few similar elements, but after filling with radial gradient bring the circle to the shape of an ellipse using the Selection Tool (V).

Locate the elliptical elements as shown in the image below.

Final Image

Build Letter Art From Bricks

2012-05-24T17:57:00.000+05:30

Step 1

First of all create any letter using the Type Tool (T).

Go to Type > Create Outlines (Command + Shift + O).

Step 2

If your letter has holes in it, then go to Object > Compound Path > Release.

Then select the outer path and go to Effect > Stylize > Round Corners.

Go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select both paths, and go to Object > Compound Path > Make (Command + 8). Let’s name this path “The Main Letter.”

Step 3

Take the Rectangular Grid Tool, click in the workspace, and set the options as shown the diagram below. Pay attention that you need to set a big enough number of vertical dividers. Let’s name the Height (pointed by an arrow in the diagram below) – “the first main result.”

Go to the Pathfinder palette and click the Divide button.

Fill the grid with orange and set the Stroke to gray.

Step 4

Select only one rectangle and go to the Info palette in order to know the width of it (W-value). Divide this value by two and memorize the result. Let’s name it “the second main result.” I have received in this tutorial 12,951px.

Select the group of rectangles, copy it and paste in front (Command + C then Command + F). Then go to Object > Transform > Move, and type “the second main result” into the Horizontal position, and “the first main result” into the Vertical position. You need to achieve the following result.

Step 5

Select both groups of rectangles, copy them and paste in front (Command + C then Command + F). Now go to Object > Transform > Move, and type zero into the Horizontal position, and “the first main result” multiplied by two into the Vertical position.

Now click the Copy button.

Go to Object > Transform > Transform Again (Command + D).

Repeat this action as many times as you want.

Step 6

Place your letter over the brick wall.

Select both: the letter and the wall, then go to the Pathfinder palette in order to click the Crop-button there.

Step 7

Get rid of tiny bricks. For example see the diagram below.

The same pointed area is shown below in the scaled diagram.

Go to the Pathfinder palette and click the Unite button for these selected bricks.

Do the same with all the tiny bricks, then delete the inner path if you have one.

Step 8

Go to Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel, then set the values as shown. Pay attention to the Blend Steps value.

Step 9

Copy the letter and paste in front (Command + C then Command + F). Set the fill color to None and the Stroke color to gray.

Now go to Object > Expand Appearance. And go to Object > Ungroup three times. Select the first unnecessary path in the Layers palette, and go to Select > Same > Fill Color. Press the Delete button on your keyboard. Delete all the superfluous paths the same way. You need to achieve the following result.

Step 10

Select the inner parts of the bricks.

And go to Object > Compound Path > Make (Command + 8).

Step 11

Delete the boundary paths, which you are able to delete without deterioration of the picture.

Then select all the gray paths that represent layers of concrete between the bricks, and go to the Pathfinder palette and click Unite.

You will now have one Compound path in the Layers palette.

Step 12

Decrease the Opacity of this Compound path, and lock it in the Layers palette. Then take the Pen Tool (P). Change the Fill color in the Control Panel to None, and the Stroke color to None too, and create a path which will allow you to delete all the remaining gray boundary paths. See the images below for reference.

Step 13

Select all (Command + A), copy it and paste in front (Command + C then Command + F). Then move the copy gently in order to combine it with the first letter.

Step 14

Now delete or make invisible several bricks in the front letter.

Delete all parts of the concrete layers, which are located in the selected area shown below.

Do it by making Clipping Mask.

Step 15

Pay attention to the point shown with an arrow in the diagram above. The blowup image for this point is below.

We need to correct such problem areas. For this, select the front layer of bricks (without the concrete) and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Now go to Object > Ungroup three times. Do the same for the behind layer of bricks.

Now select the top facet of the brick and move it downward.

Repeat this action for the other problem facets.

Step 16

Decrease the Opacity of the front letter, and lock it in the Layers palette. Now select with the shown path a part of the concrete layer of the hind letter.

Select the concrete layer of the hind layer, copy it, and paste in front (Command + C then Command + F).

Now make the Clipping Mask (Command + 7) using the path, which has just been created.

Step 17

Select the top facet of the brick.

Convert it to the following form in order to cover chinks and to comply with a rules of geometry. Sometimes chinks may remain after the following steps, so it would be wonderful to get rid of them now.

Repeat these actions for all selected paths.

Step 18

Create the following path at the top of the letter.

Illustrate the analogous paths for other bricks.

Illustrate the next path.

Step 19

Illustrate the following path on the lateral side of the letter.

Do the same for all the lateral sides of the letter.

Step 20

In order to create shadows use Blends. Draw two triangular paths in the inner part of the letter, and go to Object > Blend > Make (Command + Alt + B). Change the Opacities of the triangular paths, and change the Opacity of the Blend itself as you like. See the diagram below for reference.

The shadow on the top part of the letter consists of two similar blends.

The Blend under the overhanging brick is shown in the diagram below, where the violet path shows the Clipping Mask of the Blend.

The Blend of the overhanging brick itself is shown below, where the violet path shows the Clipping Mask of the Blend too.

Step 21

Make a blend from two white elliptical paths.

Make an Art brush from this blend.

Take the Pen Tool (P), create the following paths and apply the Art brush to them.

You need to achieve the following result.

Step 22

Select “The Main Letter” path and lie it down by going to Effect > 3D > Rotate. Then create a blend from it.

Crop this blend with the Clipping path.

Copy the blend and paste it in back (Command + C then Command + B). Cut off the second part of the blend.

Change the blends in order to convert the shadow to a soft shade and to achieve the following result.

Place the shadow under the letter.

Step 23

Now select the front orange path of any brick.

Go to Select > Same > Fill Color.

And fill all the selected facets with the Linear gradient filling.

Conclusion

Using this technique you will be able to construct any letters or signs from bricks.

Create a Slick Golden Text Effect

2012-05-24T17:55:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Create a 700 by 400px, RGB document. First, enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Next, you’ll need a grid every 1px. Go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 1 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. You can also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to replace the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Unit > General. Al these options will significantly increase your work speed.

Step 2

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create seven, 25 by 1px shapes. Place them as shown below and fill them with the four colors shown in the following image. The Snap to Grid should ease your work for the arrangement part.

Step 3

Select the shapes created in the previous step and go to the Brushes (Window > Brushes). Open the fly-out menu and click on New Brush. A new window should open. Check the Pattern Brush button and click OK. The Pattern Brush Options window will open. Enter "Golden Brush" in the Name box, make sure that the Scale slider is set at 100% and click OK. Return to the Brushes panel and you will find your new pattern brush. Now, return to your artboard and delete the existing shapes. You won’t need them anymore.

Step 4

Next, you need a new Calligraphic Brush. Again, open the fly-out menu of the Brushes panel and click on New Brush. This time, check the Calligraphic Brush button and click OK. The Calligraphic Brush Options window will open. Enter "7pt. Round" in the Name box, make sure that the Roundness is set at 100%, drag the Diameter slider at 7pt and click OK. Return to the Brushes panel and you will find your new calligraphic brush.

Step 5

Now, let’s add the text. Use the Jellyka Saint-Andrew’s Queen font or any other font that you like. Your final effect will look nicer if you choose a calligraphic font. Pick the Type Tool (T), click on your artboard and add your green text (84 161 63). Go to the Character panel (Window > Type > Character), set the size at 150pt, the leading at 120 and the tracking at 100. Go to the Layers panel (Window > Layers) and lock this text.

Step 6

Disable the Snap to Grid and enable the Smart Guides (View > Smart Guides). Now, let’s move to the difficult part. The next three steps might be a bit challenging especially if you’re a beginner. First, go to the Appearance panel, set the fill color at none then select the stroke and click on the Golden Brush from the Brushes panel. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw a path along the first letter from your text. You don’t need to make an exact trace of your text. Just use it as a reference. Pay some extra attention to the ending of your paths. Always bend them and bring the ending point above the existing path. The Smart Guide will come in handy for this thing. Play with this, but make sure that you always have a smooth, rounded path.

Step 7

Continue with the Pen Tool and draw some new paths above the green text. In some cases you will only need a path to draw several letters or an entire word. Just use your imagination. Be careful, not to make the text undecipherable. Also, always remember to bend the ending of your paths.

Step 8

Go on with the Pen Tool (P) and draw the remaining text. In the it’s important for you to have a set of smooth and nicely rounded paths.

Step 9

Disable the Smart Guides. Go to the Layers panel, unlock your green text and delete it. Select all the paths that make up your text and group them (Control + G). Select this group and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Lock the original group then focus on the group copy.

Select the paths inside this group and replace the pattern brush with the calligraphic brush created in the fourth step (7pt. Round). Set its color at R=125 G=203 B=236 and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting paths and click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder). Again, select the resulting paths and go to Object > Compound Path > Make.

Select the resulting path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Go to the Layers panel, locate this fresh copy and make it invisible. You’ll need it later.

Step 10

Go to Edit > Preferences > General and enter 1 in the Keyboard Increment box. Select the blue, visible path created in the previous step and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -2pt Offset and click OK. Select the resulting path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and hit the down arrow and the right arrow once (to move it 1px down and to the right). Reselect the two paths created in this step and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting group of shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make. Fill the resulting path with R=252 G=205 B=10 and change its blending mode to Color Burn.

Step 11

Reselect the blue, visible path and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. This time, enter a -1pt Offset and click OK. Select the resulting path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and hit the down arrow and the right arrow once. Reselect the two paths created in this step and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting group of shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make. Fill the resulting path with white and change its blending mode to Overlay.

Step 12

Reselect the blue, visible path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and hit the up arrow and the left arrow once. Reselect this copy along with the original, blue path and click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting group of shapes and go to Object > Compound Path > Make. Fill the resulting path with R=96 G=57 B=19.

Step 13

Go to the Layers panel, find the invisible blue shape and make it visible. Replace the blue with black. Send this path to back (Shift + Control + Left Square Bracket), move it 3px down and to the right then lower its opacity to 8%.

Step 14

Return to the Layers panel, unlock the group, select it and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the data shown below and click OK.

Step 15

Finally, let’s add a simple background. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a shape the size of your artboard. First, fill it with white then go to the Appearance panel and click on the Add New Fill button from the bottom of the Appearance pane. Obviously, this will add a second fill for your shape. Select it, lower its opacity to 80% and fill it with the radial gradient shown below.

Step 16

For this final step you will need a nice, built-in pattern. Go to the Swatches panel, open the fly-out menu and go to Open Swatch Library > Patterns > Basic Graphics > Basic Graphics_Textures. This will open a new window with a nice set of built-in pattern. Reselect the shape created in the previous step and add a third fill. Select it, lower its opacity to 25%, change the blending mode to Multiply and use the "USGS 19 Land Inundation" pattern.

Conclusion

Now your work is done. Here is how it should look. Experiment with different colors and letters to see what you can come up with. I hope you enjoyed this tut.

Make Up Effect for the Face

2012-05-24T17:49:00.002+05:30

Open up the stock photo youâ€™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 Tooland 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! Isnâ€™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 an Artistic Photo

2012-05-24T17:48:00.002+05:30

So, letâ€™s begin! Get started by finding a nice, suitable photo to work with. For this youâ€™ll want to use Google Images or some stock photo websites. I found this one picture. Open this picture. Then we need to increase the space around the photo. Use Image > Canvas Size and set up width about 700 pixels.

Create a new layer below the current layer and fill it with black color.

Go back to the layer with photo and duplicate it with Ctrl+J, after that desaturate this layer with Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (or press Crtl+Shift+U)

Set opacity up to 72% for this layer. Then select the Eraser Tool and hard round brush about 10 pixels and make clear work on the lips to retrieve the red color.

Ok, merge two of these layers with photo in one and duplicate new layer again. Apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur to copied layer:

Now, change layer mode to Overlay and set up opacity to 70%.

After that, select the Gradient Tool, create new layer and fill it with black to transparent gradient as shown on my picture below.

Time to make a little accent on the beads. Temporary change opacity to 70%, then select the Eraser Tool (Brush: 40 px, Hardness: 100%, Opacity: 10%) and make a little dots on baeds on the gradient layer.

Change opacity to 100% again. After that use the Blur Tool (Brush: 150 px, Strength: 30%) to blur the space around the beads a little bit.

Well, weâ€™re done for the tutorial! I hope you enjoyed it, even just a little.

How to Create a Sparkling Fantasy Photo Manipulation

2012-05-24T17:46:00.000+05:30

Step 1

The first step is to create a background for our image. This time we’ll use a simple combination of different textures using the blending modes. Just open the first texture and the second one over the first. Now change the mode of this last one to Multiply and the Opacity to about 40%, then Merge them.

Step 2

Now duplicate your layer, Desaturate the upper one and use the Eraser Tool (E) to delete parts from the upper left zone. Use the Motion Blur in this layer like in the sample image below, merge the layers, and finally add some magenta and blue using Image > Adjustments > Color Balance.

Step 3

Now grab this image of a woman. Cut her out from the original picture and paste in the center of the new image. We are going to modify her color and light using the blending modes again.

From the beginning we have in mind that we want the light falling from the upper-left corner of the image, so we have to show this in the girl and her lights and shadows. First, let’s go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation and add some more saturation to the image.

Now duplicate our layer with the girl, and with the upper layer selected go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and add more brightness. Change the mode of this layer to Screen and the Opacity to 58%. Finally, you can delete (using a blurred brush and a Layer Mask or the Eraser Tool) the darker parts (under her arms and hair).

Duplicate our first layer with the girl again and move it over the other. Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and make it darker. Pay attention to the shadows in her dress, don’t be worried by her face or others zones at this point.

When you have some good details in the shadows of the dress change the Layer Mode to Linear Burn and use the Layer Mask or the Eraser Tool again to delete the zones that you don’t need to be dark, like her face, the light zones in her arms, etc. Now merge the Layers of the girl.

Finally, use the Burn Tool (O) to make the zones darker than you need. I retouched her hair and some details in her face.

Step 4

The face in our image doesn’t look too big, but it still seems a little pixelated, we can fix this using the Smudge Tool (R). Select it with a small brush (about 16 px) and the strength set to about 30%, and use it on her skin with small strokes in the direction of her features. You can use the Blur Tool (R) to help with this process, but use it carefully because we don’t want the face out of focus.

Step 5

Now let’s duplicate our girl layer and add some Cyan, Green and Blue to the lower one. Go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance and change the settings to those shown below.

Change the Layer Mode in the one on the top to Hard Light, the Opacity to 40% and use the Layer Mask or the Eraser Tool to delete most of the image, just leave some of its warm tones on the left side, where the light is falling over our model. Merge the layers with the girl and finally go to Image > Brightness/Contrast and add a little more of brightness.

Step 6

We’re going to create the shadow of the girl in the easiest way. Just create a new layer over the girl and use the Brush Tool (B) with black selected to draw some uneven horizontal lines under her feet and her back.

Go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur and use a horizontal blur with about 760 px. If you need some more shadows over the girl just supplicate the layer, erase the shadows that you don’t need, and merge the layers.

Now let’s add a transparent shadow falling over the background. Just duplicate the “girl” layer, fill it with black (for example, go to Levels and make it dark) and move it to the position shown below. Then make it a little smaller using Free Transform (Command + T) and add a Gaussian Blur (Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur) of about 21 px.

Change the Layer Mode of the shadow to Soft Light, the Opacity to 75%, and finally erase the lower part of the shadow.

Step 7

Now create a new layer, select the Brush Tool (B) again with black selected and a blurred blush, then draw some dark zones, as shown below.

Go to Filter > Motion Blur and add the settings shown below. You can use the filter twice or more if you prefer.

Change the Opacity to about 70%, erase some parts if you consider it necessary and change the Blending Mode to Multiply. If you want to add more shadows in some parts just repeat the process painting in other places.

Step 8

Now, in a new layer use a smoke brush with a white color selected and put it behind the girl. You can use Gaussian Blur to make it out of focus.

Step 9

Now we’re going to create some subtle rays of light in the corner of our image. You can draw some lines and use the Motion Blur, but we can do it with the same brush that we´ve used for the smoke. Just duplicate some of these layers and apply the Motion Blur (Filters > Blur > Motion Blur) with the settings shown below.

Now move the layer to the corner and repeat the previous step with another brush. Use Free Transform (Command + T) to change the angle of the rays. I used three different layer for the light to get a good result.

Step 10

Now grab an image with ribbons in it. Open the new image and select the ribbons, as shown below.

Copy and paste them into our image and go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation. Modify the settings as shown below.

Finally, use the Burn Tool (O) to make darker the zones in the ribbon that are not touched by light. You can adjust levels or other settings to get a perfect color and light.

Grab some more ribbons from another similar image. Select them and paste them into our image, then change the color/saturation, and use the Burn Tool (O) in a similar way as in the previous step.

Add the shadow for this last ribbon falling over the girl’s dress. There are a lot of ways to make it. For example, draw a black stripe, use Gaussian Blur, change the opacity and the blending mode to Multiply, much like we did in previous steps.

For the shadow of the second ribbon, duplicate this layer, fill it with black and apply a Gaussian Blur.

Change the blending mode to Soft Light and erase the parts that you don’t need.

Finally, I add a new ribbon and a new layer of shadow under the model.

Step 11

Now let’s add some flower imagery. This is a simple cut and paste process. The only important thing is that you change the levels or colors little in the images as needed.

Use some stock images of flowers to add behind the girl. You can download these images: 1, 2, and 3.

The only remarkable details are some shadows added using the brush and some Gaussian Blur, then change the color in one of the images. To make this just go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, select yellow colors, and change the Hue bar as shown.

Add a flower image in the hand of the girl. To integrate it in the image select the layer of the flower and draw a black shadow in the upper part, then use the Gaussian Blur again (Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur). Now change the opacity of the layer if it’s needs. Create a new layer under the flower and paint two little shadows, use blur again using a subtle Gaussian Blur, and change the opacity as needed.

The system to add the other flowers are always the same. It’s easy and it only requires that you choose good stock images. For example, it’s important that the light in the flowers is logical and respects the light source of our image. If light come from left, don’t use images with the shadow in the right. It’s really simple, you just need cut them, and correct them a little with Levels as needed.

Step 12

Now let’s add some rays of lights flowing from the hand of the girl. To make this, select the Brush Tool, select a hard brush with a size about 8 px and white as the foreground color. Now select the Pen Tool (P) and select in the upper part the option of Paths.

Now draw a curve similar to the one in the image and press the right button on your mouse, then select Stroke Path. In this new menu select Brush and check the Simulate Pressure box.

Press OK. Now press the red button on your mouse again, and select Delete Path. In this layer, select Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay. Add a gradient from black to blue as shown below. Then select Outer Glow and add a blue glow.

Now add a Gaussian Blur to the layer. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and add 2,5 px.

Now duplicate the layer and change the position of the new one.

Select the Brush Tool again and use the smoke brush with a white color. Draw some of smoke and select Edit > Transform > Warp to adjust the curve of the smoke as needed.

For the other ray of light I’ve used the same steps as those above.

Step 13

Now create a new layer, use a brush with a white color to draw a stripe, and then use a blur on it. Finally, change the blending mode of this layer to Overlay. Then you can move it over the ribbons to simulate shine.

For the rays behind the girl use the same system. After you’ve created one of them, duplicate it and move until you’ve done something similar to the sample below. Finally, add the smoke as you’ve done previously.

With these simple ideas I’ve created different points of lights marked in red in the next below. With a mark in blue you can see another ray of light that I’ve drawn using the previous steps.

Step 14

Now that we’re finishing the image, we just need to add details to make it more attractive.
For example, let’s use some petals to decorate the image here and there. Use some flowers too and put them in our image as if they’re flying. To make the movement effect just go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

Cut another ribbon, paste it in the right corner of our image and add a Motion Blur. Then go to Layer > New Adjustments Layer > Drop Shadow and add the setting shown below.

Add another ribbon in the bottom of the image and repeat the Motion Blur.

Step 15

Finally, let’s add some Adjustments Layers. Go to your upper layer and then to Layer > New Adjustments Layer > Levels. Modify the settings as shown and repeat the process with Color Balance and a Gradient Map. Then change the opacity in the Gradient Map layer to 9% and in the Levels layer to 75%.

Conclusion

The final image is below and I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Have fun applying these techniques in your own work!

Create A Vibrant Image Using Photoshop

2012-05-24T17:43:00.000+05:30

Step 1

Start by choosing an image similar to this one of someone jumping in the air (original image). Pick an image that you feel has a lot of energy already, even before you’ve added everything else. Create a new document at A3 size with 300dpi, or if you prefer slightly smaller, then go for A4 300dpi.

Step 2

Drag your image into the new document and grab the pen tool, carefully start adding point by point until you’ve drawn around the entire body of the girl. Hit A to select the path selection tool and right click on the path>create vector mask. This will give us a clean edge and knock out the background, ready for us to add our own.

Step 3

With a blank background, let’s create some instant depth to this piece by adding a gradient. So select the gradient tool and keep it black to white. Now drag from the bottom right to top left, but drag over the canvas edges so that it sort of goes from dark grey to light grey.

Step 4

Now I sometimes like to get colour palette and tone sorted early, and in the case of this piece let’s do just that. What we’re going to do is something ever so simple but very effective in creating the mood of the piece. In the menu go to Layer>New adjustment layer>Gradient map. Now choose the preset blue, red to yellow gradient, hit ok and set this layers opacity to 40%. It looks a bit washed out, so something you should always do is add a couple more adjustment layers and for this piece we’ll add one for brightness/contrast, set to +8 for brightness and +28 for contrast, and one for levels which we’ll set to 15, 1.00 and 246 for the 3 input boxes.

Step 5

Let’s give some pop to the girl and add some lighting. Ctrl+click on the original stock layer to create a selection around the girl, then on a new layer, grab the brush tool and using varying sizes and the flow set to around 24%, begin brushing areas you think would look good with some white light on them. Then lower the opacity to around 15-35%.

Step 6

Give the piece some instant energy appeal by adding some diagonal stripes in the form of random geometric selections filled with a pattern. Create a new document 40 x 40 pixels and create a shape similar to the screenshot on the left below, make the background transparent then Ctrl+A and go to Edit>define pattern. Now back to your main document and create some random geometric selections with the polygonal lasso tool andEdit>Fill them with your pattern. Keep them in the direction of the energy of your person in the piece and make some black, some white.

Step 7

Time to add some big bright coloured shapes to get this piece moving. Again with the polygonal lasso tool, create some big geometric multi-sided shapes, and with the gradient tool set from red to yellow, fill your selections and position/transform until you have a nice arrangement. Place them above or behind the diagonal striped shapes, whatever you feel looks good.

Step 8

Now start to layer it up by adding lots more shapes of various sizes over and behind the girl. Do what we did in the last step by using the polygonal lasso tool and create sharp shapes. Fill some with a black to white gradient, others with a yellow to transparent or red to transparent, play around with it until you’ve padded out the illustration with a nice amount of shapes.

Step 9

Looking good? I thought so. Now let’s get some detail worked into this piece. To do this lets create some shards to enhance to energy of the piece. Grab the polygonal lasso tool again and create a small angular shape, hold down shift and create another. Repeat this several times until you have a bunch of shapes. Then fill them with black/white and position. You could also use the pen tool, but in this instance the lasso tool is better as the shapes will feel more erratic and unplanned, which is what we want.

Step 10

Time to develop the piece some more. Grab the polygonal lasso tool (yet again) and create some more selections, but keep these quite square and not as sharp to provide some contrast to the other shapes we created earlier. Fill with black and apply a gradient overlay with the settings shown in the screenshot below. Notice the effect on the girls arm, it’s now showing through as a solid shape because of the lighting we added to her in step 5. So place a shape behind that layer so it shows through, also feel free to create this effect with other body parts of the girl.

Step 11

For some added energy, flow and detail we can add some thin lines to the image, both over the top of most layers and some right in the background. So grab the line tool and set it to 2 pixels wide, on a new layer start drawing some lines in the direction of the rest of the shapes, don’t go too crazy with them though, keep them subtle. Now make the line tool 1 pixel wide and on another new layer draw some more lines, almost as if the lines are fragmenting.

Step 12

To further enhance the energy let’s create some light streaks. So create some more thin sharp shapes and fill them in white. Go to filter>blur>motion blur and make the angle the same as the angle of your shape, with the distance set quite high to around 4-500. Duplicate and arrange some shapes and play with opacity and blending modes for more interest.

Step 13

The image is now looking great but it’s not quite complete, it needs some finishing touches. So create some more particles with the pen or lasso tool and fill them with white and position them behind most of the layers. Also create some larger shapes with subtle gradients and overlay blending mode to give off a nice look, position them as you’d like to achieve a nice balance. I’ve marked out where I’ve added some extra shapes to using selections in the screenshot below.

Step 14

Almost there, and to make things abit more dynamic for some of the shapes. Grab the brush tool at a size around 900 with the flow set to around 15-20%. Gently brush onto areas to lighten it up, be very subtle with this though as you don’t want to kill it. Then lower the opacity to blend it in nicely.

Step 15

For the finishing touch well, you may not be a fan of textures but I am, and for this piece it will work really well. Find a high res paper texture like the one in the screenshot and drag it above all layers in your main document, scale it up to fit if needs be and set the blend mode to color burn with opacity at around 40%. This makes the colours really come to life and makes the image more moody.

Step 16

So there we are, check the finished image below! With images like this, there is a minimalist route and a more chaotic route where we could have kept on going adding more and more shapes. But in this instance we’ve settled for something in the middle with a really nice balance.