Adobe Photoshop CS4 – Illustrated Unit D: Working with Type and Gradients

Objectives Set type Lock transparent pixels Create bevel and emboss effects on type Apply gloss contours to layer styles Create a double emboss effect Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Objectives Apply a gradient Create a new gradient Clip a gradient into type Clip imagery into type Fade type Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Setting Type Photoshop includes text editing capabilities that can be found in word processing When type is created in Photoshop it is “live type” and you can select it, copy it, and paste it The Character panel is central location for formatting type in Photoshop   setting the typeface, size, tracking, kerning and other formatting Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Setting Type Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Type layer Filling text with color Character panel

Locking Transparent Pixels Each new layer created in Photoshop is a transparent layer and is empty without artwork The idea that a layer contains transparency is important to understand, especially when working with type On a type later, the pixels on the layer that are not used to render the type are transparent by default   To protect a pixel’s transparency, the transparent pixels on a layer can be locked Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Locking Transparent Pixels Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Identifying transparent pixels Lock transparent pixels option activated Paint in a layer with locked transparent pixels

Creating Bevel and Emboss Effects on Type Bevel and Emboss is a layer style, a built-in effect that can be applied to layers   is very effective for type as it can be used to create classic effects such as chiseled and raised text   The dialog box features a number of different styles and techniques to be used to create all kinds of different bevel and emboss effect Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Creating Bevel and Emboss Effects on Type Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Smooth Emboss effect Inner Bevel Chisel Hard effect

Applying Gloss Contours to Layer Styles Gloss contours are a set of 12 preset adjustments that affect the brightness and contrast of a layer style which creates dramatic lighting effects Pick and choose to see what they do and how they affect the current artwork being worked on Do not expect the same results as gloss contours will produce different results for different types of artwork Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Applying Gloss Contours to Layer Styles Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Cone gloss contour applied to artwork Gloss Contours in the Layer Style dialog box

Creating a Double Emboss Effect Layer styles are canned effects that are packaged with the Adobe Photoshop program Unique artwork can be created with the effects The key to creating unique artwork is using the many layer styles and other built-in effects which are combined in inspired and insightful ways   the Double Emboss effect applies a combination of effects to create something unexpected and new Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Creating a Double Emboss Effect Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Viewing the Layers panel after deleting a layer style Creating an Outer Bevel layer style Viewing the effect of combining layer styles

Applying a Gradient A gradient is a blend between two or more colors   can create a distinct third color when blending two colors-between red and yellow will produce orange Photoshop has preset gradients of different colors that are available to apply using the Gradient tool The Gradient tool determines the placement and length of the gradient   click to determine where the gradient begins, drag determines the length, and release determines where the gradient ends Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Applying a Gradient The Gradient tool has options that allows the determination of the type of gradient to be applied The Gradient tool may be hidden beneath the Paint Bucket tool Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Five types of gradients

Applying a Gradient Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Gradient swatches Radiant gradient Linear gradient across the canvas

Creating a New Gradient In addition to preset gradients, customized gradients can be created in the Gradient Editor dialog box The colors that make up a gradient are called color stops In the Gradient Editor dialog box a customized gradient is created on the gradient ramp Gradients can be created between two color stops or multiple color stops Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Creating a New Gradient Add color stops by clicking the gradient ramp and remove them by dragging them down and off the gradient ramp The length of the gradient is determined between color stops by moving color stops closer together or further apart The Location text box below the gradient ramp identifies a selected color stop’s location from left to right Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Creating a New Gradient Add color stops by clicking the gradient ramp and remove them by dragging them down and off the gradient ramp The length of the gradient is determined between color stops by moving color stops closer together or further apart The Location text box below the gradient ramp identifies a selected color stop’s location from left to right Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Creating a New Gradient Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Clicking the active gradient fill Viewing the new gradient Creating a new gradient

Clipping a Gradient into Type Clipping refers to using artwork on one layer to mask the artwork on a layer above it The artwork functioning as the mask is referred to as a clipping mask   a simple example of clipping and a clipping mask is of a type layer with a layer above it filled with a gradient if the gradient layer is targeted and then the clipping mask created, the gradient will be clipped into the type layer beneath it and will only be visible within the type the transparent areas of the type layer will mask the gradient artwork Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Clipping a Gradient into Type The layer functioning as the clipping mask is referred to as the base layer For artwork to be clipped, it must be immediately above the base layer Base layers can have multiple layers clipped into them, but all of the layers must be immediately above the base layer on the Layers panel Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Clipping a Gradient into Type Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Red, Orange, Yellow, Green gradient applied to the canvas Red, Orange, Yellow, Green gradient masked by the Inner Bevel layer Making the layer style effect visible

Clipping Imagery into Type Clipping imagery into type works the same way as clipping a gradient into type, except a picture is used instead of gradient fill Clipping an image into type is a classic type of design that is visually interesting and communicates an idea of strength and clarity Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Clipping Imagery into Type Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Clipping the wood layer into the Inner Bevel layer Viewing the artwork with the layer style visible

Fading Type Gradients play an important visual and artistic role involving color, as well as an important practical role when used in layer masks The fundamental rule of a layer mask if that white areas of the mask reveal 100% of the related artwork on the layer, and black areas hide of mask 100% Gradients in a layer mask that blend from white to black affect the related artwork Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Fading Type Gradients in a layer mask that blend from white to black affect the related artwork as a blend from “revealed” to “masked” A gradient layer mask is a powerful tool for gradually fading artwork on the layer including a type layer Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Fading Type Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated Fading the type completely Fading the type, but not completely

Summary Photoshop includes text editing capabilities that can be found in word processing On a type later, the pixels on the layer that are not used to render the type are transparent by default The Bevel and Emboss is a built-in layer style that is very effective with type Gloss contours are a set of preset adjustments that affect the brightness and contrast of a layer style Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated

Summary A gradient is a blend between two or more colors In addition to preset gradients, customized gradients can be created in the Gradient Editor dialog box Clipping an image into type is visually interesting and communicates an idea of strength and clarity A gradient layer mask is a powerful tool for gradually fading artwork on the layer including a type layer Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Illustrated