Adobe Photoshop Basics

Here's some basic type effects you can create with the skills you've learned in these lessons so far. I've kept the instructions brief, but all steps involve tools and commands we've covered in previous lessons. Post to the forum if you get stuck or need a hint.

Drop Shadow - Manual

1. Open a new document and type some text about 72 points.
2. Duplicate the type layer.
3. Change the text color on the bottom layer to black.
4. Move the black text layer several pixels down and to the right.
5. Render (rasterize) the black text layer.
6. Rename this layer "shadow."
7. Apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian with a radius of about 2-5 pixels depending on the type size.
8. Adjust the opacity of the shadow layer as desired.
9. If the drop shadow is placed over a multicolored background image, set the blend mode to multiply for better results.

Of course with Photoshop 5 and up, you can create drop shadows quite easily using layer effects or layer styles, but it never hurts to know how to do them the old fashioned way!

Outlined Type - Manual

1. Open a new document and type some text about 72 points.
2. Ctrl/Command click on the layer in the layers palette to make a selection from the text.
3. Create a new layer below the text layer.
   1. Method 1: Apply a stroke: black, 2 pixels, outside.
   2. Method 2: Select > Modify > Expand > 2 pixels and fill with black.

Outlined Type - Automatic

• Photoshop 6: Layer > Layer Style > Stroke
• Photoshop 5: Layer > Layer Effects > Outer Glow (Set opacity to 100 and intensity to 600.)

3D Text - Manual

1. Open a new document and type some text about 72-100 points.
2. Duplicate the type layer twice. You should have three identical layers.
3. Move the bottom-most layer two pixels up and two pixels left and change the type color to white.
4. Move the middle layer two pixels down and two pixels right and change the type color to black.
5. Fill the background with the same color as the topmost type layer.
6. Optional: For a softer look, merge the three type layers together and apply a 1-2 pixel gaussian blur.

Automatic - Use the Bevel & Emboss layer style/effect.

Perspective Shadow

1. Open a new document and type some text about 72 points.
2. Duplicate the type layer.
3. Change the text color on the bottom layer to black.
4. Type Ctrl-T/Command-T to enter free transform mode.
5. Hold the Ctrl/Command key down and drag the top middle handle to the right to skew the black type layer.
6. Rasterize the black type layer and lock the layer transparency.
7. Select the gradient tool and set the options for black to white.
8. Click once at the baseline of the type, then hold the shift key down and click again at the tallest point of the shadow layer.
9. Bump the shadow layer up one pixel.

Motion Text

1. Open a new document and type some text about 72 points. Italics work well.
2. Duplicate the type layer.
3. Rasterize the bottom layer.
4. Filter > Stylize > Wind: Method-Wind, From the Left
5. Move the Wind layer a few pixels left.
6. Filter > Blur > Motion Blur: Angle-0, Distance 10-15 pixels.
7. Adjust the position of the blurred layer again if necessary.
8. Reduce the opacity of the blurred layer to about 60-80%.

Next > Type Exercises 6-10