Curves to create a metallic look

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/11/2004 12:35:37 PM · #1

Okay, responding to a question in another thread, I thought to describe how I created the metallic effect in this poster:

I got the technique from the book Photoshop 7 Down & Dirty Tricks by Scott Kelby, this book also describes a lot of other ways to create similar effects, including cool ways to apply the effect.

Start by creating a new document in RGB mode. Size doesn't matter, but I used 640x480 for this example. Create some fairly large text using the type tool. In the example below I used Edwardian Script at 360pt.

Now hold the Ctrl-key and click on the Type layer in the Layers palette to select your text. Save this selection as a new channel, and delete the Type layer. Your document is now empty again, but you should have a new channel containing your text. Go to the Channels palette and click on this channel. Next, apply some Gaussian Blur. Just 1 or 2 pixels is enough, more blur gives you a wider bevel later on.

Now go back to the Layers palette and click on the Background layer. Your document will appear empty again, but the next step is going to solve that. Go to the Filter menu and choose Render -> Lighting. The only thing you have to change in the Dialog box is to set the Texture Channel to the channel containing your selection. This makes your selected text show up as if lighted from the side.

After applying the Lighting effect, go to Adjustments and choose Curves. The screen shot below shows the kind of curve you need.

You can play with adjusting the curve until you have the metallic effect you like.

The last thing you have to do is to remove the dark background. You can do this by loading your selection, which will now be too small for your text. You can expand the selection in the Selection -> Modify menu to include the entire letter. After inverting the selection you can remove the background around the letter. To finalize, you can add a drop shadow and/or a color overlay to create a gold look, and maybe add some more text.

Have fun! Too bad stuff like this using text isn't allowed in challenges :-)

Canon EOS-60D

06/11/2004 12:37:22 PM · #2

Thanks Nicole! I will try that out...I'm kind of dense when it comes to Photoshop and this kind of 'map' is exactly what I need when doing something new! :o)

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/11/2004 12:38:07 PM · #3

Thanks for taking the time to do this :)

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/11/2004 12:43:15 PM · #4

Originally posted by Konador:

Thanks for taking the time to do this :)

You're welcome! I remember my excitement when I first managed to do this from a book, I'm glad to share that.

Canon EOS-60D

06/11/2004 12:49:09 PM · #5

Originally posted by nicoledb:

Now hold the Ctrl-key and click on the Type layer in the Layers palette to select your text. Save this selection as a new channel, and delete the Type layer.

OK, I said I was dense...I got this far and now cannot figure out how to save the selection as a new channel. Is there a trick to that? I know, I am PS-challenged! :o)

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/11/2004 12:54:43 PM · #6

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Originally posted by nicoledb:
Now hold the Ctrl-key and click on the Type layer in the Layers palette to select your text. Save this selection as a new channel, and delete the Type layer.

OK, I said I was dense...I got this far and now cannot figure out how to save the selection as a new channel. Is there a trick to that? I know, I am PS-challenged! :o)

When the selection is in place, go to the Select Menu and choose Save Selection. This gives you the following dialog box:

where you can enter a name for your selection. This selection then shows up at the bottom of the Channels Palette.

Canon EOS-60D

06/11/2004 01:15:36 PM · #7

Thank you! :o)

edit...my first attempt.

Message edited by author 2004-06-11 13:19:02.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

06/11/2004 01:21:34 PM · #8

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Thank you! :o)

edit...my first attempt.

And I thought I was bad, wanting to play with my new toy (PS Elements)! ANd, Laurie, if you want to see PS-challenged, go look at my Profile photo!!! You will be looking a Ms. PS-Know-Nothing of all time!!!

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

06/11/2004 02:15:17 PM · #9

move to tutorials??

mirdonamy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/11/2004 02:18:56 PM · #10

Please please please put this in the tutorial section of this site so I don't lose this link when I want to refer to it in the future! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

KarenB

Canon EOS-70D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/11/2004 02:36:10 PM · #11

Yes, Nicole. Why don't you submit this tutorial to the site admins. If they use it, they may have a "goodie" for you! :)

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

06/11/2004 07:37:20 PM · #12

Um, I just printed this thread out so I wouldn't lose this great information. Maybe that's an option for others who want to keep it until a tutorial is available. (I have a binder for these exciting bits and pieces, but no, I'm not That Organized)

And thanks, Nicole, for this terrific explanation.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

06/11/2004 07:59:22 PM · #13

Originally posted by sfalice:

I print or write down all kinds of stuff, too. I even take notes out of books and make little cheat sheets for myself -- so the key concepts I can keep being reminded of or find info on again later. Yes, I am dreadfully compulsive. As soon as I complete treatment for my DPC addiction, I will go into therapy for that next!

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/11/2004 08:07:36 PM · #14

Originally posted by Kylie:

As soon as I complete treatment for my DPC addiction, I will go into therapy for that next!

There is treatment for dpcitus? I thought it was terminal! I also frequent a Tropical fish forum and now suffer from MTS (Multipal tank syndrome) the virii on the internet don't just affect your hard drive!

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

06/11/2004 08:11:14 PM · #15

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

There is treatment for dpcitus? I thought it was terminal! !

Sorry, I misled you . . . . . I don't think they have a cure yet, but I hear that research is being done! I can hope;0)