[TUT] Metalic border

[*CONTAGEN*]

Metalic Border

Level:

Author: *CONTAGEN*


In this tutoral i'm going to show you how to create a metalic
curved border like the one used in this sig.

[Break= Steps 1 - 4]
Open a new document 700x120




Creating the border
-----------------------

1. Create a new layer (name it Border)



2. Select the Paint Bucket tool :



and fill the layer with white #ffffff

Now when I create a border I like to use the rulers as a guide,
this is totally optional you don't have to use them. Also I prefer
to make the top of the border slightly larger than the bottom I
just think it creates a nicer effect.

3. On the top menu :



View > Rulers and Snap

Place your curser on the ruler and click on it,then drag it
on to the canvas. When you do this you will see blue guide line
appear.Do this another 3 times until you have mapped out were
your border will be placed :



4. Select the Rectangular Marque tool :



and make a selection so it covers the centre of the guide
you just made :



Then press delete on your keyboard.

You should now have you border shape something similar
to this :



[Break= Step 5]
5. On the top menu :



Layer > LayerStyle > Blending Options

we are going to need to create a custom gradient



click the gradient thumbnail.

Now create your custom gradient using the following settings.
Note* you will need to create ten marker points
along the gradient strip and assign each point with the
following setting :

marker point 1



marker point 2



marker point 3



marker point 4



marker point 5



marker point 6



marker point 7



marker point 8



marker point 9



marker point 10



Stroke



marker point 1



marker point 2



marker point 3



marker point 4



You should now have a border similar to this :


[Break= Steps 6 - 8]
Adding the reflex

6. Create a new layer (name it Reflex)

7. Select the Rectangular Marque tool :



and draw a marque similar to this :



8. Select the Gradient fill tool :



On the top menu click on the gradient thumbnail :



The gradient editor window will now open :



Both arrows circled in red should be white and the the arrow circled in
green should have the opacity set to 0.

With the gradient tool click and drag it vertically inside
the marque that you created.

Now deselect :



Reduce the opacty of the reflex to about 80% or what ever looks good
with your design.
Then move your reflex layer so it is between the border and background layer
in the layers palette your reflex should now look like this :


[Break= Steps 9 - 12]
Creating the screws

9. Create a new layer (name it Screw 1)

10. Select the Elliptical marquee tool :



Holding the shift key draw a small circle.

11. Select the Paint Bucket tool :



Fill it with white # ffffff

12. On the top menu :



Layer > LayerStyle > Blending Options

Satin





Gradient



marker point 1



marker point 2



Then finally just duplicate the screw layer and move it in to position
using the Move tool :



and your done you should now have a relly nice metal border complete
with reflex and screws :



Happy PSing

[theCasualties]

nice tut

[Squall]

This is going to come in handy! Thanx Con-to-master!

[moonbuggs]

YESS THANK U!!! I will try it out tomorrow, doin homework right now lol

[MiddleMan]

Excellent Tut Queen Connie

[_Xenox-Design_]

This tut is not only about creating nice-looking metalic borders but it also presents different ways of using gradient tool. Connie once again good job .

[*CONTAGEN*]

Thankyou, as long as you guys & moonbuggs get some help from it then i'm happy

and yeah Xenox ur totally wright i wanted to try and show that u don't
need to always use bevels or lighting effects to create metal.

connie

[Ejsing]

i love those metallic borders, that is your way of makind it... much better then mine!.. .. thanks.. a nice tut!..

[dennis]

I am learning so much on this site

[CyBergAsM]

awsome tutorial contagen, maybe next time you will teach us how to make that cool text and blue glow effect.