Pixel2life

Candy Tree

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:18:00 +0000

Web 2.0 Nav Bar and sticker

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:11:00 +0000

In this tutorial I will be showing you how to create a web 2.0 nav bar with a sticker to go along side with it.

Step 1.

Create a blank canvas 800 x 300px and fill the background with black (#ffffff).

Step 2.

Select the colour (#454545) and create a long rectangle approximately three quarters of the canvas using the the rectangle tool, make sure that the image is on a new layer with nothing on it. You should make it look similar to the image below.

Step 3.

Repeat Step 2. But this time instead of using a dark grey we will use something lighter (#7e7d7d) make sure again that it’s on a new layer. The new image should be the same size as the one in Step 2. and should be placed directly over the top of it.

Step 4.

Staying on the lighter gray layer we go to Blending Options (Layer>Layer Styles>Blending Options) use the same setting as we do below.

You should now have something that looks similar to this

Step 5.

Now we are going to make it a little bit smaller by using the transform tool (ctrl + T) when you transform the top so it’s smaller the dark gray layer will appear giving it a nice effect.

Step 6.

This step is optional, If you do not like the width of the nav bar you can select the top two layers at the same time and transform them so that they are a little thinner. I have done this to mine and this is what I got out of it.

Step 7.

Now we need to ad the text for the buttons and the dividers. I made the dividers with the line tool with the colour set to (#373737) I also lowered the opacity to 50%

Step 8.

For the text I used Myriad Pro font 12pt, the colour does not really matter but I used (#9e9d9d)

Alright, that’s the nav bar done. You might of noticed that I left some room on the left hand side. I have done that on purpose. Now I am going to show you how to create a sticker to put there. We will be working in the same document so I’ve put all of the Nav Bar layers into a folder so that they do not get mixed up.

Step 1.

Hide the folder with all of the layers related to the Nav Bar.

Step 2.

With the elliptical marquee tool make a circle in the center of the canvas, whilst making the circle hold down the Shift Button and it will become a perfect circle.

Step 3.

Fill the the selected area using the bucket tool with the colour (#cdcdcd) selected. Again make sure that you are filling the area on a layer where there is nothing else.

Step 4.

Now go to Blending Options (Layer>Layer Styles>Blending Options) and use the following settings.

Step 5.

Now we have to lift a edge of the circle to make it look like it is curling. Using the Polygonal lasso Tool with select the area, you should select an area similar to this.

Now Right Click in the selected area and select Layer Via Cut.

Step 6.

Now we use the transform tool (ctrl + T) to rotate the cut so that it looks like it has been curled.

Step 7.

Now we have to add blending options to the curled layer. (Layer>Layer Styles>Blending Options) Use the following settings.

Step 8.

Now you should have something like this

Step 9.

The final step is to show the Nav Bar layer and align them both.

Amazing glowing text

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Amazing glowing text

This is a very lengthy tutorial but it is very easy to create this effect.

1. Create a new document of any size. Change the background color to some dark color. I have used color #200c20. Don't use pure black.

2. You would have always typed a word or sentence continuously using type tool. But here to achieve the desired effect we are going to type each letter in a new layer. Select the type tool and type some text, so that each letter is in new layer. The font I have used is Franklin Gothic and I have typed 'Glow Girl'

3. Now we have to align all the texts there is a easiest method to do it. Select move tool. Move the first text(in my case 'G') where you want the text to start. Select all the text layers from the layer window.(Select the first text layer, hold down shift key and then select the last text layer in the layer window). Now move all the texts so that it is slightly overlapped one another.(Make sure that the all the bottom edges are aligned. If you are using mouse to move the letters then hold down the shift key while moving so that it stays aligned).

4. Create a new layer at top of all text layers. Create a white to transparent using Gradient tool, so that the white part stays at top of the work area. Make sure that the text falls on the faded part of the gradient.

5. Ctrl click the first text layer's thumbnail in the layer window and select the gradient layer. Press Ctrl+C to copy and then Ctrl+V to paste. A new layer will be created. Repeat this for all the letters.

6. Its better name all the copied layers so that it will be easy to work out further. Create a new layer. Ctrl click the first text layer(you will be getting a error message, ignore it) ad fill with some bright color in the newly created layer(make sure that the new layer is selected while filling the color). Change the blending mode to screen. Repeat this for all the letters with each letter with different colors.

7. Now if you are satisfied with the placement of letters you can merge it. Merge all the gradient layers by selecting them and pressing Ctrl+E. Then merge all the color layers by selecting them and pressing Ctrl+E.

8. Now duplicate the gradient text layer. Name it gradienttext2 and change the opacity to 15%. Again duplicate the gradient text layer with 100% opacity and change the name to gradienttextblur. This layer should be over gradienttext2. Go to Filter->Blur->Gaussian blur. I have set the radius to 2.2pixels. Again duplicate the gradient text layer with 100% opacity and change the name to gradienttextblur2. This layer should be over gradienttextblur. Go to Filter->Blur->Gaussian blur. Set the radius more now. I have set to 4.7pixels. Now your text appear as it is glowing.

9. Duplicate the colored text layer. Change the blending mode to opacity. Then go to Filter->Blur->Gaussian blur and set the radius to 1.2pixels.
Using erase tool select soft brush delete the lower part of the color text layer. Again duplicate the color text layer and change the blending options to linear dodge. Go to Filter->Blur->Motion blur. I have set the Angle to 90 degree and distance to 10pixels. Again duplicate the color text layer and change the blending mode to color dodge and apply motion blur. Set the distance to 25pixels.

10. Now merge all these layers. Duplicate the final layer and transform it so that it appears as reflection. Add layer mask and fill it with Black to white gradient. And reduce the opacity to 40%.

11. Create a new layer above the background layer. Using a bigger soft white brush and use it at centre of the text and change the blending option to overlay. Again create a new layer above the previous layer. Using a more bigger soft white brush and use it at centre of the text and change the blending option to overlay.

The final result.

Fire Works

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Final image

Step 1

In the begining make sure that Brushes options set like this.

Step 2

Start to draw lines with Pen Toll. When you finish with one line click right button of your mouse and sekect Stroke path.

Step 3

After you draw all lines you will get some shape like this.

Step 4

Now go to Blending options and select inner glowwith Yellow. Do like in picture.

Step 5

Then select Outer Glow with Red.

Step 6

After you colorize your shape.open new layer and draw some other shapes at the same way.

Step 7

Then some smaller lines oround.

Step 8

Again repeat Outer Glow.

Step 9

And Color.

Step 10

Give smaller Opacyti to last layer. and in Filter>Renden>Lens you can give some other effect like in picture.

Finish

Designing a computer speaker

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Create a rounded rectangle (Radius 15 pixels) and fill solid black color, using rounded rectangle shape tool.

click to enlarge

In layer palette double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply settings as shown.

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Create a rounded rectangle (Radius 25 pixels) and fill solid white color, using rounded rectangle shape tool.

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In layer palette double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply settings as shown.

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Create another rounded rectangle using rounded rectangle shape tool.

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In layer palette double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply settings as shown.

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Adjust as shown.

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Press Ctrl+J to duplicate the layer. Move this layer below all the layers in layer order in layer palette. Adjust the layer as shown below.

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Select all the layers in layer palette. Press Ctrl+T, rotate the shapes and place as shown below.

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Create a rounded rectangle using rounded rectangle shape tool. Press Ctrl+T and rotate the shape as shown.

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Create another rounded rectangle using rounded rectangle shape tool for the base.

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Press Ctrl+T. Right Click and select distort.

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Adjust the handles as shown.

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Enable "Add to shape area" at the top bar.

Using pen tool create a shape as shown below.

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In layer palette double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply settings as shown.

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Press Ctrl+J to duplicate the layer. Press Ctrl+T. Right Click and select Rotate 180°.

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Press Ctrl+T and squeeze it down verticaly. Move this layer below the previous layer in layer order in layer palette.

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Creating Headphone

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:39:00 +0000

Doing something for the music industry or thinking of how to create a music related icon? This tutorial will teach how to create a cool and nice headphone graphic which can be use as an icon as well.

Please note that this will be a very long tutorial. It might be long, but actually the steps are simple

As what i like to do most is start any new file with the resolution of 500×500. Use the Rectangle Tool create a shape which is similar as shown above. The size u would use mine as reference, which is 65×360. Name this layer headphone bg
Then use the Rounded Rectangle Tool, with the radius of 120px, draw a rounded rectangle as shown above. After having the right size at the right position, draw a rectangle marquee selection like on the image, with this layer select, press delete once to delete off the unwanted area. Name this layer headphone right.
After the above step basically u will get something like shown here. Name this layer headphone right.
Using the Rectangle Tool again, create a new layer and draw a square like what is shown on the above, the green color rectangle. Any size u want, but my size is 48×360. Leave a 2px between the headphone right and this green rectangle. Name this layer headphone middle
Another new layer, draw another rectangle like shown as the black rectangle on the above image. The reference size is 26×360. Same thing 2px in between. Name this layer headphone left
Now the coloring time. Use the Blending Option for each of this layer. Use the color according to what’s shown above. Both the headphone middle and headphone right are using Gradient, while the headphone left is a Solid Color. In case you don’t know where is the blending option, it’s Layer > Layer Styke > Blending Option
Same goes on coloring the headphone bg layer. Then u will have everything same as what is shown above.
Also your Layer sequence will be like in the image.
Ctrl+click on the thumbnail of layer headphone right to create a marquee selection on it. Then go to Select > Modify > Contract, give a 10px.
Fill the selection with White color Of course with a new layer.
Repeat Step 9 and Step 10 with the layer headphone middle and headphone left, with the contract pixel of 7px and 5px respectively with new layers. Then u will get what shown on the image.
Next, merge these 3 white color layers. Name this layer shine. Draw a rectangle marquee selection like in the image above.
Use the Feather Tool, can find at Select > Feather (Ctrl + Alt + F). Give a feather of 40px. With the Shine Layer select, press Delete 4 times.
Draw another rectangle marquee but this time is at the top part.
Same thing with the Feather Tool, 40px. With the Shine Layer selected, press Delete 2 times. U will get the the effect like shown on the above. Did u?
Now to make a brief lining in between those layers. Ctrl+click on the thumbnail of headphone middle, fill that marquee selection with any color in a new layer. I am filling with red color here. Name this layer Middle Lining
Ctrl+click on the thumbnail of this middle lining layer, using the Contract tool, with 3px. Press Delete and u will get the same like above.
Then create a rectangle marquee selection like on the image.
Use the feather tool, same with 40px. With the middle lining layer selected, press Delete 3 times. Do the same to the top portion, then u will get something like shown above.
Then by using the Blending Option, fill the middle lininig layer with the color code shown above.
Duplicate the headphone left layer, and put it right under the original headphone left layer, as shown above.
Apply the Gaussion Blur filter of roughly 10px on this duplicated layer.
Then using the marquee tool to cut out the portion as shown above. This layer will be act as a shadow when this is headphone is put on. Group all of this layers together.
Since the stage is not enough big, enlarge the canvas size (Image > Canvas Size. 1000×1000px. Duplicate the Grouped layer. Flip it Horizontal (Ctrl+T, right click and select Flip Horizontal. Than shift this new duplicated group to a place like above.
Now the final part. Use the Ellipse Tool, draw a shape like above at that position. No need to really be exactly same, but just need to the two edges of the circle to touch on each of headphone layer part.
Ctrl+click on this circle layer’s thumbnail. Using the Conract, 5px. Than press Delete, then u will get something like above.
Using the blending option, color this layer with the color code shown. Then u will get the final picture of the headphone.

——————–

With this headphone, u can insert various kind of icon on it, like shown on below is one of the example. If u are curious on how to make the red icon below, refer to my previous tutorial Perfect Shine Button or Icon. Hope u enjoy the tutorial.

Addling Light Beam

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:46:00 +0000

Do you want to create some awesome light beams with ONLY Adobe Photoshop? It’s very easy to do with this tutorial. I’ll show you how to create a nice piece of art with any image you like. This is a “get started” tutorial, just for the basics. If you start experimenting, you get a lot of cool effects with this technique. Ok, let’s go!

Step 1: The beginning

Search on the Internet for a nice photo or use one of your own.
I used a photo of Hayden Panettiere (Claire Bennet from Heroes). I suggest to take a high-res image, because it’s much easier to erase the background. That said, open Photoshop and click on file -> open to open your image. To free the object from the background, I used the Polygonal lasso tool and the Eraser tool.
Use whatever suits you.

I suggest you know how to free an image from the background in Photoshop, if not, there are plenty tutorials out there to show you how to do that.

After you did this, go to file -> new and make a new document with the size you like.
I used a 1024 x 768 px with a resolution of 72 p/inch. Now copy and paste the image
(without background) in the new document and position and scale it to make it look right! I scaled it down and positioned it a little to the right. Now fill the background with a nice bright color, I used an orange tint (#ffb61a).

Step 2: Tune the image

The imported image doesn’t seem right and looks fake. That’s because the original picture doesn’t have a lot of orange color. We’re going to change that so it fits better. Duplicate your image by left click on the layer and move it to the “new” icon below it.

Now select the image above the original one and go to filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur.
Blur it as much as you don’t see any details anymore. I used 5 pixels.

Go to your layer blending mode and click on “Overlay”. Use an Opacity of about 50%.

Looks much better doesn’t it? Now right click on your original photo and to go
blending options. Click on drop shadow and use these settings:

Step 3: The light beams

Ok now get ready for the great light beams Create a new layer, move it behind the photo and use your Line Tool (U) to draw a line diagonal.

I used 18 px weight with a somewhat lighter color then the background.
Now go to Edit -> Transform -> Warp and start moving the verticies until you get a cool shape out of it.

Repeat this step 3 times. Color all the lines with the color you like.
I used some darker and brighter orange colors. Now you could duplicate those 3 layers and mirror it so it looks like you have 6 different lines.

Step 4: Polar Coordinates

For this step, you have to copy all the layers (so you keep the original ones) and merge the new layers together. Then go to filter -> distort -> polar coordinates.
Use Rectangular to Polar.

Now you have to position and rotate the layer so that it looks like
the beams come from your image.To make the effect looks more 3d, I duplicated
the original straight layers in Photoshop and place it above the image layer so you create a fake depth.

Step 5: Finishing

To make the final image, I created some smoke and warp effects with the brush tool and made some lightning effects. Of course there is a lot you can do to make this a lot better but I hope you get the idea of this tutorial. Click on the image below to view it full size. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to leave a comment so I know all my work wasn’t for nothing. Thanks again!

Digital Girlfriend

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:26:00 +0000

How create a photorealistic Pixar Wall-e Character

tumitu | 21 Ottobre 2008

This is the English version

This tutorial shows how create a photorealistic picture of Eve the girlfriend of the famous wall-e character of the latest Disney and Pixar Movie.

Step 1

First step is to create new file from adobe Photoshop with File>New and set up a 600px per 600px canvass with 72dpi resolution and let’s name it “Eve”.

Step 2

Now with the with background let’s begnin drawing the shape of Eve’s body. Let’s start with an oval mask using the oval tool (U). Leave Gray as foreground color.

Step 3

Now use the Pen Tool (P) to reshape the oval. Name the layer “front”. Choose the Pen Tool then clic the Ctrl on keyboard and clic on the oval. The four anchor points will be highlighted. Clic on the upper anchor point to select it and drag down to define a round upper edge.

Ctrl+clic on the side anchor points and drag upward to make a more stretched shape.

After that Alt+clic on the side anchor upper bezier points and drag them down. The final result may be like the following:

Step 4

Choose the layer “front” and than choose the menu Layer>Layer Style>Color Overlay choose color R:247 G:251 B:251.

Then choose Inner Glow in the same window and choose as color R:201 G:201 B:201 (grey) and apply as blending mode “Darken”. Choose dimension 87px.

Choose then Inner Shadow, select opacity 18%, uncheck the “Use global light” and choose -39 angle degrees.Distance 36px, dimension 27px. Now the front of eve may look like this.

Step 5

Add now an Highlight and reflections. Add a new Layer named Front reflections. Using the pen tool draw a light shape on the left side and choose color white with 75% opacity.

Choose a picture with interior lights, you can find them in flickr creative commons or othe free image stocks. I choose this one.

Copy and paste the picture in a new layer named “front light”. On this layer apply the effect Filter>Distorsion>Lens Correction.

Apply a negative value to the lens just to round a lot the picture. Then clic ok.

Transform the picture, rotate and resize to best fit what a light may reflect on the eve’s body. Choose as layer blending mode “Lighter”.

In this case, Eve’s has a body not much reflective so choose a 70% opacity for “front light” layer.

Now apply the same mak as the “Front Layer” to the “Front Light” Layer. Alt+Clic on the first mask and drag to the second layer

Step 6

Now let’s create the…neck!

Add a new Layer. Neme it “Neck”. Create with the oval tool (U) a disc on the top of the front shape. Then Alt+clic on the effect icon on the front layer and drag to the last one so to duplicate the layer effects. Then bring the layer back before the “Front ” Layer. Adjust the layer effect to make it lighter - using inner glow and inner shadows values.

Create a new layer named “inside neck” and use the oval tool (U). Drag and copy with Alt+clic the effect from the “neck” layer to this one. Adjust the values of the layer effects to let the oval seem a little darker.

Step 7

Let’s add the Supercar lights!

Choose the Brush tool (B). Choose among your brushes the standard Squared Brush. In the Brush Tab then choose Spacing 164%.

Then add a new Layer named “neck lights”, With the Pen Tool (P), Clic the Path icon and draw a straight line.

Then right clic on this line and choose Trace Path. In the option you have to choose the brush trace option. The result is a square dotted line like this

Delete the last path in the path tab. Then with the layer “neck lights” selected digit Ctrl+T to trasform the object and stretch it to make it taller .

Then choose Edit>Trasform>Warp and transform the selection. then invert the colors with Ctrl+I.

Add a soft outer glow effect with a white color. The result may be this:

Create a new folder named “Body” and put all these layers inside it.

The first part is done!!

Step 8

Now let’s create the head of Eve. Choose the Oval tool (B) and draw a circle on the top of the body. Name this layer “Head”.

This layer has the same layer effects of the body. So if PS doen’t apply automatically, remeber to copy them from fthe “Front” Layer.

With the pen tool adjust the shape in the following way:

then adjust the inner glow and inner shadow effect values to make the head lighter with a soft shadow on the right side.

Let’ s add now the lighing as we have done before for the body.

First use the pen tool to draw a light beam on the left side of the head.

Let’s now add the lighting as before. Paste again the picture in a new layer named “Head light”. and alt+clic on the head layer mask and drag to the new layer so the light is masked with the head shape.

Step 9

Now we have to create the black mask.

With the Oval tool (B) draw a circle in the middle of the head, name the layer “Mask” and with the Pen toool (P) adjust the bézier curves to reach the following result

Now the mask is done.

Step 10

Add one eye, drawing a circle shape with the Oval tool (B) and modifying the shape with the pen tool. Name the layer Eye and fill with cyan/blu color R:19 G:142 B:229

Add, as Layer style, a outer Glow Effect with the same color.

Duplicate the “eye” layer. Trasform it with Ctrl+T and make the orizzontal opposit of the other. So you have both eyes.

Now select both eye’s layer and merge them with Ctrl+E

Step 11

Now duplicate the head light Layer and put it on top and change the blening mode to “Intense Light”

I have also trasformed a bit the size and shape of the head to best fit what we have to do. The result may be this.

Step 12

First create a folder named “Head” and put all the head layers inside of it.

Now let’s draw the left arm drawing an oval with the oval tool. Name the new layer “Arm” and copy the effects from the “Front” Layer (always with Alt+Clic). Adjust the values of inner shadow and inner glow.

Adjust with the Pen tool (P) the shape as following

Add the drop shadow effect using the overlay method and the following values

Now duplicate the Front light layer and put it on top of the arm. Then alt+Clic on the arm mask and drag it on the new light layer. So we can add reflections on the arm too.

Step 13

Duplicate the arm and its light layer, then tranform in orizzontal mirror. Her is the other arm.

Make a new folder and name it “Arms” and put all these four layers inside it.

Step 14

Make a new layer, draw with the Oval tool a black circle down Eve. Than apply the Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. with a value of 20px

Put this layer, named “Shadow” befor the others.

Step 15

Let’s add the final touch with the Background. Add a new layer named “Background” and fill it with a monotone shade. I choosed gray.

Design Feature Effect

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:47:00 +0000

Here we will tell you how to make a Photoshop design feather effect in photoshop.

[1] Take a new file of 400 pixels, 400 pixels, of resolution 72 dpi in the RGB mode.

[2] Take the Shape Tool select this one, create a shape.

[3] Take the Direct Selection Tool.

[4] Select these area for your shape.

[5] Hit the Delete key.

[6] And now select the right sight area then hit the delete key, you have one leaf like shown image below.

[7] Right click select make selection, make a new layer fill the selection with White do no “D” select.

[8] Go to Select>Modify>Feather use these values.

[9] And now hit the Delete key.

[10] Duplicate the layer press cntl+t, minimize and rotate your shape like me.

[11] Now merge the all shape layers, then Duplicate again, press cntl+t, select Flip Horizontal, get the result like this.

[12] Merge both the layer, go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur apply the following settings.

[13] Duplicate again press cntl+t, select Flip Vertical get the result like this.

[14] Now change the Blending Mode Dissolve, and set the Opacity 50%.

[15] Choose Gradient to and set properties like this.

[16] Create a new layer, Apply gradient to selection to get the result like this.

[17] Now change the Blending Mode to Overay.

[18] Done!!! I hope you like it.

cool draw

cool text in photoshop

create a logo in photoshop

Pen Drive Float Effect

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:47:00 +0000

Final Image Preview

Before we get started, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership. You can view the final image preview below or view a larger version here.

Step 1

Let's start by creating a New Document which is 1000 pixels wide by 1000 pixels high, set the Resolution to 300 pixels/inch, and the Background to white. Grab the Rectangular Marquee Tool, then set the style to Fixed Size with a Width of 100 px and Height of 240 px. Drag four guides around the selection, as shown in the below image, then Deselect by hitting Command + D.

Step 2

Create a new layer and name it "Front B." Set the foreground color to 55% gray. Get the Rounded Rectangle Tool, set it to Fill Pixels and Radius to 30 px in the Tool Options set. Draw a rounded rectangle as shown below.

Step 3

Now we'll clear the guides by going to View > Clear Guides. Hit Command + T to enter the Free Transform mode, set the Vertical Skew to -30 degrees, and apply it. Hit Command + T again and set the Rotation to -30 degrees. We could have skewed and rotated the layer at the same time. The reason why we did it in two steps is that it gives cleaner results. You can have a look at the below image for a comparison.

Now we need two horizontal guides. Drag and snap one to the top and one to the bottom of the transformed rectangle. This is not our final perspective angle, but it's easier to build up the USB key this way, then we'll rotate the whole thing again to achieve our final perspective look.

Step 4

Duplicate the "Front B" layer and name it "Front A." Move the "Front A" layer 30 pixels left. You can do it by using the Arrow keys on the keyboard when the Move Tool is selected. While holding Shift, press the Left Arrow key three times. Apply a Gradient Overlay layer Style with these settings: Blend Mode set to Multiply, Opacity at 100%, Gradient set at Black to white, Style of Linear, Angle set to 90 degrees, and Scale set to 130%.

Step 5

Now we need to connect these two rounded rectangles. Go back to the "Front B" layer in the Layers Palette. Get the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection, as shown in the image below. Make sure the guides are visible. Fill the selection with 55% gray, then Deselect by hitting Command + D.

Step 6

There are some unwanted pixels, lets get rid of them. Grab the Rectangular Marquee Tool, set the Style to Normal, and make a selection, as shown below. Move the selection 1 px down and hit Delete to clear the area. You can move the selections by using the Arrow Keys on the keyboard as long as a Marquee Tool is active. Now make a rectangular selection this time at the bottom. Move the selection 1 px up and hit Delete again.

Step 7

Now we'll apply a Gradient Overlay Layer Style to the "Front B" layer with these settings: Blend mode set to Multiply, Opacity at 65%, Gradient set at "Steel Bar" (which is in the Metals Set), with a Style of Linear, Angle set to -30 degrees, and Scale at 110%. Also, you can adjust the position of the gradient by dragging while the Gradient Overlay dialog is still open. Adjust the position like in the image as well.

Step 8

Command-click the "Front A" layer thumbnail to load the selection. I moved the selection 400 pixels right. This will define the length of your USB key, so you can change it if you want a longer or a shorter one. Create a new layer and name it "Back." I filled the selection with color #ee3232, but you can choose a different color according to your own taste.

Now create another new layer and name it "Body." Fill the selection with 15% gray. Deselect by hitting Command + D. Make the "Back" layer invisible, as we'll need it later. Drag and place the "Body" layer above the "Background" layer in the Layers Palette.

Step 9

Now we'll extrude the body as we did for the front part. Get the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection as shown, then fill it with 15% gray. Hit Command + D to Deselect.

Step 10

Get the Rectangular Marque Tool and make a selection aligned to the upper guide, as in the image below. Move the selection 1 px down and clear by hitting Delete. Make another rectangular selection, this time at the bottom, move the selection 1 px up, and hit Delete again to clear the disturbing row of pixels.

Step 11

Now we'll apply a Gradient Overlay Layer Style to the "Body" layer to achieve the rounded corner. Use these settings: Blend mode set to Multiply, Opacity at 65%, Gradient set at Black to White, with a Style of Linear, Angle set to 90 degrees, and Scale set at 18%. Move the gradient down, as in the below image. You can do it by dragging while the Gradient Overlay dialog box is open.

Step 12

Go to the Layer Palette, then drag and place the "Back" layer just above the "Background" layer. Move the "Back" layer 20 px right using the Right Arrow key. Next, get the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection, as shown below, then fill the selection with red (or your own color) to extrude the back part of the USB key. Hit Command + D to Deselect.

Get the Rectangular Marque Tool and make a selection aligned to the upper guide, as we did before. Move the selection 1 px down and clear by hitting Delete. Make another rectangular selection, this time at the bottom. Move the selection 1 px up and hit Delete again to clear the disturbing row of pixels.

Step 13

We need to apply a Gradient Overlay to the "Back" layer with the same settings as we used for the "Body." Now right-click on the "Body" layer in the Layers Palette and choose Copy Layer Style. Right-click the "Back" layer and choose Paste Layer Style.

Step 14

Create a new layer above the "Front B" layer and name it "Highlight." Grab the Line Tool, set it to Fill Pixels, and set Weight to 8 px. Choose white as your Foreground Color, and draw a straight line, as in the below image. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, apply with a Radius of 5 px.

Now we have the highlight, but we should delete the exceeding part. Command-click the "Body" Layer Thumbnail to load it's selection. We should also select the back part, so Command + Shift-click the "Back" Layer Thumbnail to add to the selection. Go to Select > Inverse and hit Delete to clear. Deselect by hitting Command + D.

Step 15

Create a new layer above the "Body" layer and name it "Reflection." Grab the Gradient Tool, set the Gradient to black to white, and fill the layer with the gradient from left to right. Go to Image > Adjustments > Curves and tweak the curve as shown below. This is my favorite way to make reflections. Then hit Command + T and rotate the "Reflection" layer 30 degrees. You'll see why we're doing this later.

Now because we want that reflection to be seen on the "Body" part, we need to get rid of the rest. Command-click the "Body" Layer Thumbnail to load the selection. Command + Alt-click the "Front B" Layer Thumbnail to subtract it from the current selection. Go to Select > Inverse and hit Delete to clear. Hit Command + D to Deselect. Set the Layer Blending Mode to Overlay.

Now get the Eraser Tool. Make sure the mode in the Tool Options is set to Brush. I set the Brush Master Diameter to 215 and Hardness to 25%. Erase the area below the rounded corner.

There are some painted pixels outside the canvas because we filled the whole page and then rotated the gradient. We can't see them at the moment. In the final steps we'll rotate the USB key and these pixels will be a problem so to get rid of them. Go to Select > All, then go to Image > Crop.

Step 16

We start drawing the plug. Command-click the "Front A " layer to load the selection. Create a new layer above the "Front A" and name it "Plug." Fill the selection with 25% gray. Deselect by hitting Command + D. Hit Command + T to enter Free Transform mode, set the Vertical and Horizontal Scales to 56%, and apply.

Step 17

Duplicate the "Plug" layer and name it "Plug Front." Move the "Plug Front" layer 150 pixels left. Drag two guides from the upper Ruler and snap them to the top and bottom of the "Plug" layer. Go back to the "Plug" layer in the Layers Palette, get the Polygonal Lasso Tool, and make a selection as in the below image. Fill the selection with 25% gray, then deselect by hitting Command + D.

Step 18

Get the Rectangular Marque Tool and make a selection aligned to the upper guide, as shown below. Move the selection 1 px down and clear by hitting Delete. Make another rectangular selection, this time at the bottom, move the selection 1 px up, and hit Delete again to clear the disturbing row of pixels.

Step 19

Command-click the "Plug" layer Thumbnail, this will load the selection. Get the Gradient Tool, set the Gradient as Foreground to Transparent, set Foreground Color to black, and Gradient Style to Linear. Drag it, as shown below, to fill the selection with a black to transparent gradient. This will make the upper part of the plug darker, which is going to help us achieving the metallic look.

Hit Command + D to Deselect. Apply a Gradient Overlay Layer Style with these settings: Blent Mode set to Multiply, Opacity at 50%, Gradient set at Black to White, Style of Linear, Angle set to 90 degrees and Scale set to 18%. Move the Gradient down until it fits on the rounded corner, as in the below image, while the Gradient Overlay dialog is still open.

Step 20

Create a new layer above the "Plug" layer and name it "Plug Reflection." Get the Rectangular Marque Tool and make a selection, as in the image below. Get the Gradient Tool. Set the Gradient to Silver (it's in the Metals Set.) Set the Gradient Style to Reflected and fill the selection starting from the middle to the left. Hit Command + D to Deselect. Go to Image > Adjustments > Invert to get the negative.

Step 21

Hit Command + T, then Scale the reflection a bit horizontally and rotate 30 degrees. Now we want to reflection visible only on the plug. So we'll define the "Plug" layer as a Clipping Mask for the "Plug Reflection." You can do it by Alt-clicking the line between these two layers in the Layers Palette. Get the Eraser Tool. Erase the area below the rounded corner of the plug. Also, set the layer Blending Mode to Screen.

Step 22

Create a new layer above the "Plug Reflection" layer and name it "Plug Highlight." Get the Line Tool, set it to Fill Pixels, and set Weight to 4 px. Also, set white as your Foreground Color. Draw a straight line, set Weight to 2 px and draw another line, as in the below image.

Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, apply with a Radius of 1.5 px. Command-click the "Plug" layer to load the selection, then go to Select > Inverse and clear by hitting Delete. Set the "Plug Highlight" Layer Opacity at 60%.

Step 23

Now we'll make the hole on the plug. Command-click the "Plug Front" layer to load the selection. Go to Select > Modify > Contract and contract the selection by 2 pixels. Create a new layer above the "Plug Front" layer and name it "Plug Hole."

Fill the selection with 25% gray and apply a Gradient Overlay Layer Style with these settings: Blend Mode set to Multiply, Opacity at 40%, Gradient set at black to white, with a Style of Linear, Angle set to -90 degrees, and Scale at 13%. Move the gradient until it fits on the rounded corner of the plug.

Step 24

Create a new layer named "Plug Hole Shadow" just above the "Plug Hole" layer. Grab the Polygonal Lasso Tool, select an area as in the below image, and fill with black. Hit Command + D to Deselect. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to 15 pixels. Command-click the "Plug Hole" layer, go to Select > Inverse to inverse the selection. Clear by hitting Delete. You should adjust the Opacity of the layer to your taste as well.

Step 25

Create a new layer above the "Plug Hole" layer and name it "White." Command-click the "Plug Hole" layer. Get the Rectangular Marque Tool and move the selection, as shown below. Command + Alt + Shift-click the "Plug Hole" Layer Thumbnail to intersect the selection, then fill the selection with white, and hit Command + D to Deselect. Move the "White" layer 5 pixels right. Drag horizontal guides and snap them to the top and the bottom of the "White" layer.

Step 26

Create another layer below the "White" layer and name it "White Top." Get the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection, as shown below. Fill the selection with 20% gray. Command-click the "Plug Hole" layer, then go to Select > Inverse to inverse the loaded selection. Hit Delete to clear the part outside the hole. Go to "White" layer in the Layers Palette and hit Delete again. Hit Command + D to Deselect.

Step 27

Select the Layers in the Layer Palette, as shown below. Go to Layer > Group Layers (Command + G.) Name the group "Plug Bottom." Now duplicate the "Plug Bottom" group and name it "Plug Top." Go to Layer > Merge Group. Make the "Plug Bottom" group invisible for now.

Step 28

Now we'll make the reflection of the plug on the body. Duplicate the "Plug Top" layer, name it "Plug Reflection," and drag it above the "Front A" layer in the Layers Palette. Move it right, as shown below. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply with a Radius of 3 pixels. In order to mask the reflection, Alt-click on the line between the "Plug Reflection" and the "Front A" layers in the Layers Palette. You can change the opacity of the layer as you wish.

Step 29

Let's continue tiding up our layers. Select all the layers except the "Background" and "Plug Top" layers and "Plug Bottom" Group. Go to Layer > Merge Layers (Command + E.) Rename the merged layer as "Body."

Step 30

Now we'll make the two small holes on the plug. Create a new layer on the top of the layer stack named "Hole." Get the Rectangular Marque Tool, set Style to Fixed Size, and Width and Height both to 26 px. Make a selection as shown below. Fill the selection with 65% gray. Hit Command + D to deselect.

Hit Command + T and set the Horizontal Skew to 30 degrees. This will fit the perspective of the holes to the perspective of the plugs. Get the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection, as shown in the bottom left image below. Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation (Command + U), and set Lightness at +100% to make the selected part white.

Command-click the "Hole" layer to load the selection. Move the selection 1 px left and 1 px down. Command + Alt + Shift-click the "Hole" layer again to intersect the selection with the layer. Fill the selection with black. Also, deselect by hitting Command + D.

Step 31

Duplicate the "Hole" layer. Now we have two holes and they should be aligned properly. You can get help from the right or left edge of the plug. After aligning properly, select both hole layers and position them as shown below.

Step 32

Now get the Text Tool. I set the font as Trebuchet MS with a size of 35 pt. Make your Foreground Color #ee0055, then type your text. Hit Command + T and set the Horizontal Skew to 30 degrees and apply. Rename your text layer as "Text." Apply a Gradient Overlay to "Text" layer using these settings: Blend Mode set to Screen, Opacity at 50%, Gradient set at Silver, with a Style of Linear, Angle set to 30 degrees, and Scale set at 75%.

We'll also apply a Drop shadow with the following settings: Blend Mode of Multiply, Opacity set at 60%, Angle set to 90 degrees, and Distance and Size set to 2 px.

Step 33

What we have now is our USB key. What we don't is the reflection. Our key will be floating in the air, and the bottom of it will be reflecting on the surface. And the bottom part of the key is slightly different from the top of it.

Duplicate the "Body" layer and name it "Body Bottom." Now select the "Hole Copy," "Hole," "Text," "Plug Top," and "Body" layers, then go to Layer > Merge. Name the merged layer "USB," and make "USB" layer invisible for now.

Step 34

We'll get the Text Tool again, make your Foreground Color #ee0055, and type your text. Hit Command + T and scale the text to fit on the plug. Go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical to mirror the text. Hit Command + T and set the Horizontal Skew to 30 degrees and apply. Rename your text layer as "Text."

Apply a Gradient Overlay to the "Text" layer using these settings: Blend Mode set to Screen, Opacity at 50%, Gradient set at Silver, with a Style of Linear, Angle set to 30 degrees ,and Scale set at 75%.

We'll also apply a Drop shadow with the following settings: Blend Mode of Multiply, Opacity set at 60%, Angle set to 90 degrees, and Distance and Size set to 2 px.

Make sure that one of the visible layers is selected in the Layers Palette, then go to Layer > Merge Visible. Name the merged layer "Reflection." Now you should have three layers: "Background," "USB Final," and "Reflection." Now we're almost done.

Step 35

Now make the "Plug Bottom" group visible. Open the group and delete the "White Top" layer. Go to the "White" layer and move it up, as shown below. Command-click the "Plug Hole" layer to load the selection, go to Select > Inverse. Hit Delete to Clear outside of the hole. Deselect by hitting Command + D. Go to the "Plug Hole Shadow" layer in the Layers Palette. Hit Command + T and rotate the layer 180 degrees, and make sure that it still fits in the hole.

Step 36

We'll now place the USB sign on the plug. I drew one and you can get it here. Open the "USBsign.png" file and get the Move Tool and drag the logo into your "USB Refleciton.psd."

Hit Command + T to enter Free Transform mode, rotate the logo -90 degrees, scale to fit on the plug, and apply. Go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical to mirror it. Hit Command + T again and set the Horizontal Skew to 30 degrees. Place it on the plug and set the Layer Opacity to 60%.

Step 37

Close the "Plug Bottom" group. Select the "Plug Bottom," "Body Bottom," and "Text" in the Layers Palette and go to Layer > Merge Layers. Name the merged layer "USB Reflection." Make sure that "USB" layer is on the top and all the layers are visible.

Step 38

Select both "USB" and "USB Reflection" layers in the Layers Palette, hit Command + T, and Rotate -30 degrees. Grab the Move Tool, then move the "USB Reflection" layer down, as shown below. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply with a Radius of 3 px. Also, set the Layer Opacity at 20%.

Step 39

Duplicate the "USB Reflection" layer and name it "Shadow." Hit Command + U to bring up the Hue/Saturation dialog. Set the Lightness to -100 to make the shadow black. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply with a Radius of 40 px. Set the Layer Opacity to 50% and move the "Shadow" layer up, as in the image below.

Conclusion

Finally, I scaled them down a bit and applied a gradient to the background. And this is the end of another tutorial. I hope you're happy with your own USB key illustration and had some fun! You can view the final image below or view a larger version here.

Tilt shift effect

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:40:00 +0000

This Photoshop tutorial will teach you about simulating the tilt-shift lens effect that is used mostly in photography. The goal of this technique is to achieve a really unique feel to the image as everything is miniatured or modeled. A method that tricks the eye in a good way since the image is very pleasant to the eye and give the photo a real kick to the upper level photography.

What is a tilt shift lens?

A tilt shift lens is exactly as it’s name says. It tilts and shifts to deform the focus which creates a blurry image. It is used to point out a object in the photo with focusing it and making it sharp or hiding unwanted objects by blurring the part of the image out of focus. It also has a effect that when taken from the above angle, everything looks miniature, small and unreal. It’s used mostly on dSLR’s. With the help of Photoshop and some effects we can manipulate the photo so it looks as it was taken with a tilt-shift lens. Let’s start.

Tilt shift effect Photoshop tutorial

So here’s the tilt shift effect. For this tutorial you will need:

Adobe Photoshop
a image that is shot from above down on people/trees/cars etc.
some time

First open your image in Photoshop. For this tilt shift tutorial i will be using the daily free one from IStockPhoto.com. Go there and download the big version of the image for free.

Here is what it look like:

Now you will nee to duplicate the image and hide the original bottom one. On the above layer, add a mask using the mask button in the layer window.

Select the Gradient tool and use these settings for it:

Now draw in the mask with the gradient tool so you get a similar look like the image below. The transparent part will be sharp after we finish, so have that in mind when you work on your own photos.

We will now apply a filter but first make sure you have the image selected in the layers window(a white square over the image, not the layer mask), then go to Filter -> Blur -> Lens blur…. This will bring up a filter interface.

Now i’ll explain the settings for this interface. For the tilt shift effect you need to select the Depth map source to Layer mask. You can play width the blur focal distance to get a different effect or just leave it at 0.

The iris is the shape of the aperture in the lens pf a dSLR photo camera. It’s usually the Hexagon so go with this option and play with other settings until you find something you like.

Specular highlights are the hexagon dots the iris makes when the image is blurred. Pretty nice effect that really simulates the real camera lens. The brightness should be low and the threshold should be really high. This settings depend on the image you apply this effect to so start experimenting at threshold 250 and lowering it and brightness 0 and going up. Don’t overdue it though, keep it clean.

Noise is the setting you usually don’t want, it simulates errors that are made when using high ISO setting on a digital photo camera, use 0 here.

That’s it, hit OK and see what you get. Also delete or hide the Mask of the image layer. This is what it should look like.

And these are the buildings at 100%. They already look like they were made of cardboard and painted. But the next step will make that feel even better, we’re going to adjust the colors.

We will use 3 adjustment layers. The first one is Hue/Saturation. Bring up the Saturation, but not too much, around 20-30 is usually ok.

The next one is Levels. This helps bring the picture a better exposure etc. Use the lover triangles to define the histogram like below:

The last one is Curves which will bring up the contrast more. Make the S line like the image shows.

Try not to overdue everything and keep it balanced. Now we’re done! Here are the final images, the original one, the one with til-shift effect and the one with the tilt-shift and adjustments layers.

As you may notice, this effect is best when you have buildings etc. so crop the image there for best results.

Now start enjoying the little things in life

Blog Head With Brushes

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:13:00 +0000

i while ago i remember seeing this wordpress theme (sorry can’t remember where) with this type of header, the grass and vines creep in from the black darkness. i liked the idea and thought it would be nice to make a tutorial for it.

Getting Started

Of course this tutorial wouldn’t be so simple with out the use of pre-made photoshop brushes i downloaded, so here they are

Sun Burst brush -by JavierZhX

you can try other floral brushes if you wish but i liked these two the best.

Suddenly Spring set 1

Suddenly Spring set 2

i also used the Grass brush that comes by default with photoshop cs3, but if you don’t have CS3 you can use this Photoshop Grass Brush set

Step 1

ok lets start with creating a new document. mine is 769×235. i suggest you chose something suitable if your going to use it as your blog header.

Step 2

With the gradient tool draw a linear gradient down using these two colours: #ff6c00 to #ffc662.

Step 3

Create a new layer. Draw an oval shape using the ellipse tool then go to Select>mofifie>Feather enter 20px for the radius. finally fill the selection with white.

We want to create different shades of orange so will repeat this technique a few times.

Step 4

new layer. this time draw a bigger oval shape and using 40px for feathering.

Step 5

again create a new layer and draw a bigger oval shape then the one in step 4 and feather at 80px. then change the layer mode to overlay and opacity to 60%.

Step 6

Now you should have the Sunburst brush i mentioned before. if not, go download them and select “Pincel muestreado 49″ and place it at the bottom just so we get the ray coming out from the centre. once you have it placed set mode to Softlight.

Step 7

Time to use our Brushes first will use the Grass brush. make sure your foreground and background is set to the colour black then paint some grass randomly at the bottom.

Step 8

Now change your brush to a Big soft brush and apply at the bottom

Step 9

Time to add those cool floral brushes, i mostly used brushes from the Suddenly Spring 1, but its up to you.here is what i came up with.

Step 10

finally add your blog name and your done ! preferably try using a very thin font, i used the font named “Steiner”.

Here was my 2nd try which i like better, in the example you can see how its nicely fits in with a black layout. Click on the image to enlarge.

Paper web layout

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:12:00 +0000

In this tutorial i will show you how easy is to create a great layout with a simple old paper texture image

this is my final layout

To create this layout you need a papyrus image, or an old paper image ( Thank you Tutmaster for giving me this image to work with )
When you have such an image, place that image on the middle of your layout

For this layer please add a simple shadow. to add a shadow please be sure you have the layout selected, then go to Layer > Layer styles > Drop Shadow

and add the following settings

This is my result : nothing to fancy, but remember, each simple detail will result in a great looking layout

With Polygonal Lasso Tool, create a selection like in the following image.

With this selection we will create some buttons. Be sure you have the first layer selected

then press on CTRL+J

you will see another layer above the first one. I will rename this layer button

Select this layer button , and go to Edit > Transform > Rotate 180
With move tool place the small button on the top of the layout

Then drag this layer right above the background layer

Repeat the steps from above until you place as many buttons as you need

this is my result

Add some text

I want to change the colors for this buttons. the easy way is to use the HUE / Saturation option
To bring up the Hue saturation window , be sure you have the first button selected, then press on CTRL+U
Use the following settings if you want to use the same colors

this is my new button

Now change alone the colors for each button. this are my buttons

Now it is time to add some text and images on your layout. this is a very simple task and i don't think you will have problems

The layout is already looking quite good , but i think it will be nicer if we will add a good background. Please go to
rovere wood texture

download this image and place it right above the background layer

I don't like the actual image because it doesn't have the contrast i want. but i will desaturate this background image and i will have a nicer look. to

desaturate a layer, please go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate

This is my final result

I recommend you to download this layout if you want to understand better how it's made

Attached Files

layout165.zip (3.84 MB, 79 views)

Black Web Layout

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:47:00 +0000

Create a new document in Photoshop 1280 * 1024 px, Resolution 72 px.
Create the following shape for background in a new layer using Rounded Rectangle Tool.

Apply Layer Style Effects just like in the examples below.

Create black rectangular form on the top of the page using Rectangle Tool.

Add gradient stroke to this shape.

In order to create second black rectangular duplicate the previous layer and transform it using free transformation.

Creation of the pressed button.

Create a rectangular using The Rectangle Tool.

Apply the following adjustments to this shape:

Ctrl + Click on the rectangular layer to load selection.
Fill selection with white color in a new layer. Opacity 20-30%.
Create round selection using Elliptical Marquee and remove bottom part of white rectangular.

Apply Drop Shadow to text.

In order to create text reflection duplicate text layer.

Go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical.
Move it down a little bit.
Apply Gaussian Blur Filter (1,5)

Icon creation.

In the Toolbox, select the Custom Shape Tool. Choose suitable preset shape.
Choose white color.
Create an icon. Opacity 90%.
Duplicate layer with icon and place it (b) under original layer, Opacity 50%.
Return to original layer (a), create round selection and remove the bottom part of the icon.
Put a white spot in the top left corner of the icon using a soft translucent round brush.

In order to create separator bar draw a line using Line Tool 2px.
Apply Gradient Overlay just like in the example below.

Make the following steps for other lines creation.

Dotted line creation.

Create a path using Pen Tool.

Right click on path and choose Stroke Path (Simulate Pressure).

Adjust brush settings for path, just like in the example below:

To create glow text effect, duplicate layer with text, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur(3).
Apply Screen Blending Mode for this layer.

Neon spiral creation in Illustrator.

You may download .ai* file, click on the image below:

Create a new document in Illustrator.
Draw the following lines(one is blue and another is white) using Pen Tool and Convert Point Tool.

Choose Blend Tool.
Lead the Blend Tool from top of a point blue line up to top point of a white line.

Set blending options by double-clicking the Blend tool or choosing Object > Blend > Blend Options.

Place created shape into Photoshop document.
In order to soften shape edges add vector mask and fill it with black/white Reflected Gradient.

In order to modify a background pattern reduce a transparency and apply Gaussian Blur Filter.

And here is the result! Click for larger view.

Creating a abstract wallpaper

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:57:00 +0000

Photoshop : Creating Cool Swirls NEW & IMPROVED VERSION! - Funny video clips are a click away

Abstract Shine

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:46:00 +0000

Abstract Shine Animation with Photoshop and ImageReady

Few days ago, I was playing with Photoshop and ImageReady, and I came up with something really delicious :). I was trying to make an animated Display Picture or Avatar for Windows Live Messenger 9 (which supports recently animated avatars). So I mastered an amazing technique that I’m going over step by step below. Note that this is an advanced tutorial because it involves the usage of Pen Tool, Layer Mask and Tween (ImageReady). Here’s what we’ll be working on

Let’s start:

Step 1

Open Adobe Photoshop and press CTRL + N to create a new image:

Step 2

Set the background color to #000000 (black) and the foreground to #122c52.

Step 3

Filter > Render > Clouds to get something like the following:

Step 4

Select the Pen Tool, make sure the “Paths” option is selected in the toolbar. Draw the following shape:

Step 5

CTRL + SHIFT + N to create a new layer (Layer 2).

Step 6

Select the Brush Tool, set the Foreground color to #ffffff (white), master diameter to 4px and hardness to 100%.

Make sure your selected brush supports Simulating Pressures:

Step 7

Select the Pen Tool again, right click on the image and press Stroke Path…

Step 8

Set the following options in the Stroke Path dialog:

Step 9

CTRL + SHIFT + N to create the third layer.

Step 10

Select the Brush Tool again and increase the Master Diameter to 5px.

Step 11

Right click again on the image and press the stroke path. Then apply the same options.

Step 12

Hide the Layer 3 by unsetting the eye in the layers panel:

Step 13

Select the Layer 2 from the Layers panel. Then, Layers > Layer Style > Blending Options… and set the following settings (Outer Glow and Color Overlay):

Step 14

You will get something simillar to this (do not remove the pen tool selection):

Step 15

Now, we’re done with Photoshop, we’ll start editing with ImageReady:

Step 16

ImageReady will open. Window > Workplace > Default Workplace to arrange your windows.

Step 17

Window > Animation to show the animation window:

Step 18

Now, we will show the Layer 3 (that we already hided in Photoshop) by setting the eye back.

Step 19

Be careful here!!! Drag the Layer 3 in the Layers Panel to the “Add a mask” button in the bottom to create a mask of that layer. Select the Brush tool and clean up the white area in the mask. Then unset the link between the layer preview and the mask:

Step 20

Here’s the tricky part. Although it can be done in many ways, but i find this way the easiest. Select the Brush Tool (I think it’s already selected :)), set the foreground color to #ffffff (white) and select the following Brush:

Step 21

Make sure the mask is selected! draw with you free hand a line like this (Note that you will only see this line in the Mask preview in the layer panel):

Step 22

You should see in the Layers panel the following:

Step 23

Let’s start with the animation now. Press the 1st Frame in the Animation windows and press “Duplicate current frame” icon to duplicate the layers state.

Step 24

Now make sure the the mask of the layer 3 is selected, select the Move tool and Press Shirt + Right like 25 times to reach the following state:

Step 25

So, we have moved the line mask from left to right. It’s time to animate it! The frame 2 is selected, hold CTRL and click on frame 1 to make them both selected. Then press the Tween icon:

Step 26

Apply the following Tween settings:

Step 27

A set of frames will be created for you. Select the 1st frame, scroll to the end, hold SHIFT and click the last frame. You will have all the Frames selected. Click the delay drop down on any of the selected frames and choose Other:

Step 28

Enter 0.03 seconds as a delay between the frames:

Step 29

Now select the last Frame alone by clicking on it, and set its delay to 5 seconds:

Step 30

We’re done. It’s time to save the animation as gif. Make sure the format in the "Optimize" panel is GIF:

Step 31

File > Save Optimized As!

Open it with Firefox, because Firefox renders the Gif formats faster than Internet Explorer (I’m not sure about Safari or other browsers).

By the way, here’s the avatar I discussed earlier in this tutorial:

Secondly, we’re going to be making the white background for the navigation bits to sit inside. On a new layer (Layer > New > Layer) select the rounded rectangle tool and set the radius to 10 pixels. Make a selection of 250 by 300 pixels in the middle of the document and fill (Edit > Fill) with white.

I’ve added a faint outer glow (black) to the layer to make it stand out a little bit more.

Step 3

Thirdly, we’ll be adding a header to the navigation menu. Create a new layer and select the area of the white background and fill with the colour #151512.

Move the selection down 40 pixels (Shift + Down four times) and hit delete on your keyboard to delete whatever was in the selection leaving a header background.

Step 4

Here I’ve added the title for the navigation menu - the font I’ve used is Delicious. I’ve also added a white to transparent gradient overlay layer style to give it a minor glossy effect.

Step 5

Now we’re going to be adding a little green gradient underneath the header to give some colour to the menu. On a new layer make a selection underneath the header (similiar to the one we used to delete the unwanted fill) and fill with a linear gradient from #a7cd1e to #77a80e - left click at the top of the selection and drag down just 10 pixels instead of to the bottom.

Now move the selection down 5 pixels (hit Down five times) and hit delete.

Step 6

Select the text tool and add in some text links. The font I’ve used for this is Verdana with a line height of 30 pixels (you’ll need to use this so it’s easier shortly). The colour I’ve used is #383838.

Step 7

Next up is the dividers between the links. Using the rectangular marquee make a selection of 250 by 1 pixel between the first two links and fill with the colour #ebebeb.

Duplicate the divider layer and move it down 30 pixels (Shift + Down three times) this is when using the line height of 30 pixels comes in useful because you know how many pixels to move it down :) Repeat this for all of the links (leave the last one).

Step 8

Now I’ve added a rectangle behind one of the links so it looks like it is active / mouse is hovered over it. To do this I created a new layer underneath the text layer and made a selection of 250 by 30 pixels behind one of the links and filled it with the colour #f7f7f7.

Step 9

Using the techniques I showed you earlier on, create a nice little footer for the menu - a dark underneath and a green gradient on top (see the psd file if you have any troubles).

Step 10

Now because Photoshop doesn’t seem to be very good with corners when you have a layer on top of another and it’s on a curved corner, we’ll just fix the corners up by selecting the white background and erasing the corners.

And you’re finished.

Tutorials On how to make profile web layout

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:37:00 +0000

Today i will show you how to create a portfolio layout

As usual i will start with a new document
To open a new document please go to File > open, and choose the following size: 760x770 pixels

First we will place a photo with a tree on our document

Based on this tree we will continue to work on our layout. i will create a place where we will add our buttons. i will use Rounded rectangle tool, and i will place an image exactly under the image with the tree

On the other side of the layout i will add another shapes ( all made with rounded rectangle tool )

Right above the background layer , please create a new layer. to create a new layer, please press on CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+N in the same time
With gradient tool, draw a line from the top of the layout to the bottom

Now please download the following set of cloud brushes: Cloud Brushes

Create a new layer right above the last layer, then with the brushes you just downloaded , add some clouds

Select Rounded rectangle tool, and add some buttons. please be sure you will place the layers for this buttons under the big brown shape

Then for all this buttons , add some layer styles.
I am using the following layer styles for all the buttons.

This is my result

now for all this big shapes, please add the following layer styles

and here you can see the result

now it is time to add some text on the top menu

after that please add some text and images also on the other parts of the website

now if you have Talk-Mania Big-Pack go inside your Brush folder, then choose web icons

Load icons-1 file, and select the following brush

On a new layer ( press CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+N ) add the icons.

This is my final result. i hope you like it. tomorrow we will have another new tutorial

please download the PSD file to see how it's made

Attached Files

166.zip (1.20 MB, 18 views)

Wood Carving effect

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:50:00 +0000

At first, open a wooden texture and a logo (or just type a text) (use the link at the bottom of the page to download the materials).

Place the logo on the texture. Then select the the logo with magic wand (all the parts). Select-Inverse. Select the layer with the texture, right click on selection and then Layer-Via Copy. Blending mode - Multiply. Make sure that this layer is placed above your logo or a text.

Now apply the following layer settings to the logo\text [list].
Voilà!

Download PSD+Textures

Realistic Fire

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:41:00 +0000

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create realistic-looking fire and flame effects that you can add to any image. Perfect as Halloween is just around the corner (well, sorta!).

Part 1: Step 1

Go to File > New to open a new file (Command +N for Mac or Control+N for PC). The file size can be set according to your requirement. For example, I set my file size to:
Width: 800 pixels
Height: 600 pixels
Resolution: 300 pixels/inch
Color mode: RGB

Step 2

Set default color to black and white (press D).

Step 3
Fill the background color with white (CMD+Delete/CTRL+Backspace).

Step 4

Go to Filter > Render > Difference Clouds.

Step 5

Continue applying the Difference Clouds filter on the image until the fire pattern is formed (CMD+F/CTRL+F).

Step 6

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation (CMD+U/CTRL+U).

Step 7

Select Colorize from check box option BEFORE setting the levels to:
Hue: 30
Saturation: 60
Lightness: 0
*Although the fire looks a little orangey now, it will look more realistic in the following steps.

Step 8

Duplicate the layer by clicking Layer > Duplicate Layer (CMD+J/CTRL+J), and press OK.

Step 9

Go to Layers Window, change mode from Normal > Soft Light (press F7 to show it if the window is closed). Soften the fire slightly, then modify the color in the next step.
*On the other hand, you can also try to use other modes like Color Burn, Overlay or Vivid Light to get the fire color immediately.

Step 10

Go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance (CMD+B/CTRL+B) to change "Layer 1 copy" color balance. Set color level to:
Shadow: 50, 0, -30
Midtones: 45, 0, -45
Highlights: 70, 0, -50
Make sure you choose the Preserve Luminosity from the Check Box option to enhance brightness and contrast.
*Do remember that all settings can be altered according to how you want the fire color to look like.

Step 11

Click the small arrow icon in the Layers Window on the top right corner. Then select Flatten Image.

Step 12

Fire is finally created.

If you are not satisfied with the results, or if you wish explore more, the following steps will teach you just how you can re-modify the fire to create flames and use it as a montage element.

Part 2: Step 13

First of all, look at the fire that we had just created. Identify an area which can be modify to become flames.
Duplicate the layer by clicking Layer > Duplicate Layer (CMD+J/CTRL+J) and press OK.
Then select the Original/Background layer. Click the small arrow icon in the Layers Window on the top right corner and choose Delete Layer (we will need the background to be transparent. That is the reason why we duplicated a new layer and delete the original one).
Use the Magic Wand tool (press W) to select the fire (set tolerance amount to your own preference. The lesser you key in, the more precise selection you will get. In this case, tolerance level 25 is the best).

Step 14

Select (hold on Shift and click) the dark areas for deletion. In this image, I will maintain the middle section as it does look like the flame that I want.

Step 15

Press the Delete or Backspace key to delete the selection. Go to Select > Deselect (CMD+D/CTRL+D) to deselect the section.

Step 16

Now you can use the Eraser Tool (press E) to erase the rest of the fire and keep the section that you need.
*Decrease the Eraser brush size by pressing [ or Increase by pressing ].

Step 17

Press M to use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to draw a square selection around the flame.
Transform (CMD+T/CTRL+T) and rotate the fire to your desired direction. Click OK. Go to Select > Deselect (CMD+D/CTRL+D) to deselect the section. Now, we can roughly imagine the outcome of the flame.
*You can skip Step 17 if your original flame direction looks fine to you.

Step 18

Go to Filter > Liquify (Shift+CMD+X/Shift+CTRL+X) to modify the shape of the flame.
*Or you may make a selection before you liquify the flame.

Step 19

In the Liquify filter, you can experiment with Twirl Clockwise or other tools to adjust the edge of the flame to make it look more realistic. Click OK when you are satisfy with the effects.

Step 20

If the flame edges look too harsh, you can try to use this method to solve the problem - Press L to use the Lasso Tool to select the edges of flame you want to soften.

Step 21

Go to Select > Feather. Set Feather Radius to 3 pixels to soften it.

Step 22

Go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur to enhance the flame's moving effect.

Step 23

Set the Motion Blur Angle according to your preferred flame direction (in this case, -35 is the right angle).
Once done, go to Select > Deselect (CMD+D/CTRL+D) to deselect the section. Repeat Step 20 - 23 in other edges of the flame to make it look more realistic.

Step 24

The following steps are to soften the edges around the flame.
Press CMD/CTRL (hold on) and click the Layer thumbnail (inside the Layers Window). Go to Select > Modify > Contract to make the selection of the flame inside.

Step 25

Set Contract by 2 pixels (the right level for the flame I had just created).

Step 26

Go to Select > Inverse (Shift+CMD+I or Shift+CTRL+I) to inverse the selection of flame.

Step 27

Go to Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur > Radius 1.5 pixels (You can experiment with other radius level for different effects).
Go to Select > Deselect (CMD+D/CTRL+D) to deselect the flame once you are done.

Step 28

This is the final flame result.

Step 29

That's It! Repeat the same steps to create different types of flames. If you know some basic skills of Photoshop, here are some ideas you can try:

Make use of the Layer Mask to create depth.
Or change the Layer Opacity in Layers Window to give the flames some transparent effects.

Shown above is an image sample of the Fire or Flames that we put together.
Image ID: ISP0802313 (Inspirestock/Inmagine)

If you liked our tutorial, feel free to share it with your friends or even bookmark it!

Also, don't forget to check out our Discover page for all your creative needs.

Changing specific colors in an image

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:51:00 +0000

Changing specific colors in an image

Level: Intermediate (can be useful for advanced users)

Description:

This is a tutorial on changing specific colors in an image using the color range tool in Photoshop.

You can use this tutorial to easily change regions of color in an image to different colors. This can be very useful if you want to make a part of an image fit into the color scheme of the background or even just changing the color of someones dress or a clothing item.

Photoshop Version: CS2 (Can apply to Earlier versions up to Photoshop 7)

Tutorial:

The first step here is to go to the menu [Select->Color Range].

Then click on the area of color in the image that you want to change. Here we are clicking on a red part of the women's dress.

The end goal for this tutorial is to change the color of her dress.

You can use the plus and minus eyedropper buttons to add more regions of color to the selection. Here we are just using one sampling of red. Adjust the fuzziness. (The amount of similar colors to the one you clicked to add to the range. If you go higher it will select any kind of red, if you go lower, it will only select a ceartain amount of reds similar the the area of her dress that you clicked)

Click ok to see the selected area of the image. As you can see here, we selected her dress but her lips are close to the same color so they were selected as well. The next step shows you how to remove those areas that you want to leave alone.

Click on the "Edit in quick mask mode button on the toolbox. This will bring you into the "Quick Mask" mode which will allow you to edit the selection by using the brush tool.

All of the areas that are pink are the areas that are not selected. Select the brush tool and make sure your foreground color is black. Paint out the area around her lips and head. This will remove the selection from those areas.

Once you have done this, click the "edit in standard mode" in the toolbox. This will return you to standard mode where you can see the dancing ants around what is selected. You will notice that the area that you painted out is no longer selected.

Now you can do whatever you want with her dress because you now have it selected. Here I show you how to change her dress color from red to purple. Go to the Menu [Image->Adjustments->Hue/Saturation] and set the settings shown here. You can also experiment with the sliders to see what colors you can get.

Here is the finished dress showing the color has been changed.

Glow Text Effect

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:05:00 +0000

In this tutorial, as the title suggests, we will be making some glowing glossy glass text (try saying that five times fast!). I’m using Photoshop CS3, but this tutorial will work on any version, as far as I know. Enough talking - let’s get to the good stuff!

Finished Product

Here’s a picture of what we’ll be making:

On the requests in some comments, you can now download the PSD file if you get stuck on the tutorial somewhere.

Step 1

Start of by making a new document big enough to hold your text - I used 1000×600 pixels - and fill the background with the color #0e151e. Now go download the font called Space Age at dafont.com. The link is http://www.dafont.com/space-age.font. Get the type tool, and type your text into the center of the document. It doesn’t matter what color the font is, because we will be making the color invisible soon. You should have something like this:

Step 2

Now comes the good part. The great thing about layer styles are that you can apply them to any text, and it will look the same. Double-click on your text layer, and apply these layer styles:

General Options

Inner Shadow

Outer Glow

Inner Glow

Gradient Overlay

Gradient Settings

Stroke

You should now have something like this:

Step 3

We’re almost done! Now all the we have to do is add some small things that make it look better. First, let’s add a sparkle on the G. Go to http://www.brusheezy.com/brush/282-Star-Brushes, and download the Star Brushes that are listed there. Head over to Photoshop again, and load in the new brushes. Grab the brush tool, select the brush with the size of 365 (see the image below), and then resize that brush to 100px.

Now make a new layer above the text layer, set the foreground color to #f4faff, and click once with the brush tool on the top left corner of the letter G to make the sparkle. Here’s my result:

Step 4

For the final effect, we will make a shiny reflection of the text. To do this, first duplicate your text layer, and then rasterize the new layer and all of its layer styles by first pressing Ctrl+G to put the layer into its own group, and then Ctrl+E to merge all the contents of the group (in our case only one layer) together. Flip the newly created layer vertically by going to Edit>Transform>Flip Vertical, and then take the Move tool (V), and drag the new layer (with the upside-down text) down and below the original text. Look at this image for a reference:

To make the reflection seem to fade away, we will add a layer mask to the new text layer. Make sure that your new text (reflected) layer is selected, and go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All to create the mask. Take the Gradient tool, set it to a black-to-transparent gradient, and draw a gradient on the new mask like this:

Finish

And you’re done! Here’s the final result:

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and I hope that you learned something from it that you can implement in your own designs. If you are having trouble with this tutorial, then you can download the PSD file to copy off of.

Until next time, happy designing!

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:02:00 +0000

In this Photoshop Tutorial we will show you give your type a nice feeling of speed.

Step One: Open a new document, make the background black and type your letters in white. Now press Ctrl+E to reduce the layers to the background.

Step Two: Now go filters => Blur => Gaussian Blur and set it between 1.0 an 1.5.

Step Three: Next we need Filters => Stylize => Solarize. Your text looks like this!

Step Four: Then use image => Adjustment => Channel Mixer and set the values like below.

After putting the values in Channel Mixer, your text looks like!

Step Five: Now go Filters => Distort => Polar Coordinates and choose the lower -Polar to Rectangular- radio button.

Step Six: Now go to Image => Rotate Canvas => 90°CCW. Next we apply Filters => Stylize => Wind - from left -you may use it two times; depending on your image size.

Step Seven: Then go to image-rotate canvas 90°CW. Now go again Filters => Distort => Polar Coordinates and this time choose the upper -Rectangular to Polar- radio button. And Your Speed Type Text Looks like a great effect!

Metallic text effect

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:58:00 +0000

I am going to show you a quick and easy variation on metallic text effect.

Step 1: To begin, create a new image with the following attributes.

Step 2: Create a new layer and then select the Type Mask tool. I Chose Stencil Std font with 90 pts in size.

Step 3: Open the Layer Styles for the filled type layer. First, select Inner Glow and apply the following settings:

Step 4: Now select Bevel and Emboss with the following settings:

Step 5: Set Gradient Overlay:

Step 6: Inner Shadow:

Step 6: Go back to Bevel and Emboss. Click on the Contour window and create a contour like the one seen below.

Click Ok.

Step 7: Create a new layer beneath the type layer. Select the Type layer and hit CTRL+E to merge it with the new layer.

Step 8: Now duplicate the merged layer.

Step 8: Go to Filter => Render => Lighting Effects. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 9: Set the duplicate text layer to Normal.

Step 10: Select Filter => Artistic => Plastic Wrap. Enter the following settings in the Plastic Wrap dialog box and click OK.

Step 11: Select the original text layer. Apply the plastic wrap to this layer with the following settings and click OK.

Step 12: Select the duplicate text layer. Open the layer styles for this layer. Select Stroke. Enter the following settings:

Step 13: Select the duplicate layer, hit CTRL+E and merge it with original text layer.

Here is Final Result!

Making a 3D logo

sharonforever@gmail.com (sharon) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:13:00 +0000

There are several ways for making a 3D logo using a letter. In this tutorial I'm going to make a stylish 3D logo just in a few steps.
So, Let's start!

First of all create a new document with white background color.
Choose your letter for converting to the 3D logo. I've chosen "N" for this tutorial, but feel free to use each letter you like, it works!
Now click on Horizontal Type Tool , choose a font and type your letter .

In the Layers panel, right click on the letter layer and click on Rasterize Type.

Now, we want to transform its shape and make it something that looks 3D. For that, go to Edit > Transform > Skew and make the top points a bit closer.
Also, as you see in the image below, you should change the bottom of the letter as well.

My transformed letter

We're going to extrude the letter. Well, make a copy of the letter layer (duplicate it) and press CTRL + G to move it into a group.

While the copied layer is selected ("N copy"), Hold Alt key down and hit the down arrow key about 20 times.
Here's an image of Layers panel.

OK, now click on "Group 1" in the Layers panel and press CTRL + E to merge the group.
You should have two layers after merging the layers of the group.
Your result should be something like this:

Select the merged group layer and double click on it in order to open Layer Style dialog box.
Select Gradient Overlay and apply settings below.
I've used green for my logo.

Result

Now click on OK button and open the layer style dialog box again, this time for the first layer.
Apply following settings.

After adding the style

Well done! You just designed your 3d logo!
You can make it more professional by adding highlight and shadow to it.

Here you can see some more logos that have been created with this technique.