Tuts Index Part1


Go to "Image" -> "Canvas size". Set it to 500x500.



Duplicate the layer 4 times. We will not modify the top layer.
To simplify the explanation of the effects, we named the layers "1" to "5" from top to bottom.

Highlight layer "2".
Go to "Image" -> "Rotate" -> "Free rotate". Rotate left 20°. Be sure that you uncheck the "All Layers" box.


Press Ctrl+M to mirror it. Set layer transparency to 80.
Highlight leyer "3". Apply a left 20° free rotate. Set layer transparency to 60.
Highlight layer "4", apply a left 40° free rotate + mirror. Set layer transparency to 40
Highlight leyer "5". Apply a left 40° free rotate. Set layer transparency to 20



Highlight layer "1".
Apply a "Drop Shadow" effect with settings as shown in the picture (be sure that "shadow on a new layer" is unchecked).


Repeat for all other layers.( "Ita's Quick Way To Do"® is to highlight each layer and press Ctrl+Y (shortcut for repeat))

If you want to add a text, keep the same colors but change the foreground from gradient to solid color and set the background to foreground-background gradient.


Select the font face you like with a stroke width set to 1.


And write what you want hun :).
Apply inner bevel with the same settings as for the border


Merge visible.

Here is my way to crop the image before saving it as jpeg without using the rectangle selection tool :
Use Ctrl+X (or Ctrl+C) and Ctrl+V to Cut (or Copy) the merged layer and paste it as a new image. It's a good way to fit the size of the transparent background at the closest of the image without cutting a part of the shadow as it happens often when you crop using the rectangle selection. One can only hope that one day, there will be an "autocrop" option :).

Now save it as JPEG. If you please, go to "File" -> "Export" -> "JPEG optimizer" and set "compress value" from 10 to 20 to lighten the file size. It is always a good thing to think about people using dial-up :)



Here are some different results : (All are snaggable, yepee ! :))





Tuts Index Part1