textuts

This tutorial explains how to use different layer styles to create a bright turquoise metallic text effect, then add a simple stroke and some pins all around it.

The Final Result:

Notes:

* the software used in this tutorial is Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended
* the size of the final result image is 1152 * 864
* you might want to check the Basix Page to see some useful topics on dealing with Photoshop basics, such as loading palettes and some shortcuts.

Resources:

* Texture 230 by ~Sirius-sdz.
* Texturetastic Gray pattern by Adam Pickering.
* You might need to load the Contours used in the tutorial, so check this image to see how to do so.

Step 1:

- Set the Foreground color to #66717d and the Background color to #2d3d48. Pick the Gradient Tool, choose the Foreground to Background gradient, and click the Radial Gradient icon in the Options Bar. Then create a radial gradient from the center of the document to one of the corners.

- Place the Texture 230 image on top of the Background layer, then change its Blend Mode to Multiply and its Opacity to 70%.

- Go to Image -> Adjustments -> Hue/Saturation, then change the Hue value to 180, and the Saturation value to -70.

Step 2:

- Create the text using the color #8bbabe. The font used is Baltar, the size is 250 px, and the text is created in All Caps.

Also, you will need to change the Leading value to 270 pt, and the Tracking value to 75 pt to avoid overlapping.

Double click the text layer to apply the following Layer Style:

- Drop Shadow: Change the color to #7f7f7f and the Distance to 6.

- Inner Shadow: Change the color to #3da09f, the Distance to 0, and the Size to 27.

- Outer Glow: Change the Blend Mode to Multiply, the color to #75b2b6, and the Size to 50.

- Inner Glow: Change the Blend Mode to Multiply, the color to #54a5af, and the Size to 18.

Both glow effects are used to intensify the shadow effects by changing the Blend Modes and the colors.

- Bevel and Emboss: Change the Size to 20, the Highlight Mode to Vivid Light and its color to #9df0ff, and the Shadow Mode color to #bff3f8.

- Contour: Use the Half Round Contour, and check the Anti-aliased box.

- Texture: Use the Texturetastic Gray pattern, and change the Depth to 30%.

- Satin: Change the color to #b3e6ed, and change the Contour to Log.

This will create the bright metallic effect.

Step 3:

- Right click the text layer and choose Create Work Path.

- Create a new layer below the text layer and call it “Stroke”. Then choose a hard round 25 px brush, and set the Foreground color to #909090.

- Pick the Direct Selection Tool and right click the work path, then click Stroke Path.

- Choose Brush from the Tool drop down menu, and make sure that the Simulate Pressure box is un-checked.

- This will add the stroke. Hit Enter to get rid of the work path.

- Ctrl + Click the text layer’s thumbnail (icon) to create a selection, then press Delete to get rid of the inner parts of the stroke.

- Go to Select -> Deselect, or press Ctrl + D, to get rid of the selection.

Step 4:

Double click the “Stroke” layer to apply the following Layer Style:

- Drop Shadow: Change the color to #737373 and the Distance to 10.

- Bevel and Emboss: Check the Anti-aliased box for a smoother result, then change the Highlight Mode to Vivid Light and its color to #dcdcdc, and the Shadow Mode color to #7d7d7d.

- Contour: Use the Valley – Low Contour, and check the Anti-aliased box.

This will give the stroke an iron-like effect.

Step 5:

- Create a new layer on top of all layers and call it “Pins”.

Double click the “Pins” layer to apply the following Layer Style:

- Drop Shadow: Just change the Distance to 0.

- Inner Shadow: Just change the color to #63b4bf.

- Bevel and Emboss: Check the Anti-aliased box, change the Highlight Mode to Vivid Light, and change the Shadow Mode color to #7bd0dc.

- Contour: Use the Ring – Double Contour, and check the Anti-aliased box.

Now set the Foreground color to #c97070, and use a hard round 18 px Brush to add some pins on the corners of the stroke. Try not to add too many pins.

Step 6:

- Finally, click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon down the Layers panel, and choose Gradient Map.

- Make sure the Gradient Map layer is on top of all layers, then change its Blend Mode to Multiply and its Opacity to 70%.

- Click the Gradient box to create the Gradient used.

The Gradient values are:
(Click once below the gradient bar to add a color stop)

Color – Location
1- #adafb1 – 0
2- #e1e3e5 – 60
3- #ffffff – 72
4- #f0f2f3 – 80
5- #bec1c2 – 100

The gradient map will intensify the colors and add more contrast to the final result.

That’s it.