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Layer and Blending Texture Tutorial in Photoshop 7.0

In this tutorial you will learn how to use some of the blending options available in Photoshop.

Note. The colors used in this tutorial are: red background 251,4,4 Black 27,27,27

1. Layers

The first thing we need to do is create a new file 256 x 256 (or whatever size you require) and fill the background with the red color. Once you have done this click on the "Layers" tab and create a new layer

Figure 1 Layer tab (NOTE image has been cut down)

Figure 2 Create a New Layer button

2. Line tool

Now that we have a background and a second layer we need to draw an outline which will represent the outline of an access panel on a locomotive. Select the line tool from the toolbox. If the line tool is not showing one of the tools showing in figure 3 will be. Select and hold the tool and the menu shown in figure 3 will appear. Select the "Line Tool" from the list and then set it to the settings shown in figure 4 then draw an outline similar to figure 5

Figure 3 Line tool

Figure 4 Line tool settings

Figure 5 Outline

3. Drop shadow and inner shadow blending options

Once you have a suitable outline go to the layer tab and right click on the layer containing the outline. From the menu that appears select "Blending Options..." and then configure each of the styles as shown in figure 7, 8 and 9.

Figure 6 Blending options menu selection

Figure 7 Main blending options menu

Figure 8 Drop shadow settings

Figure 9 Inner shadow settings

You can modify these settings to get different results and also add other blending options to the layer.

Figure 10 Final result

4. Bevel and Emboss blending options

Draw a dark box on a new layer approximately 90 x 20 pixels and then open the blending option for that layer. Setup the Bevel and Emboss blending options as shown in figure 11

Figure 11 Bevel and Emboss blending options

By changing the "Style" you can change the type of bevel to inner or outer bevel. It is also sometimes usefull to change the "Technique" settings. Changing the direction between up and down will change the bevel and give the appearance of either a raised or a lowered surface. Changing the "Angle" and "Altitude" will change the location of the lighting.

Figure 12 Result after the bevel and emboss blending option

5. Gradient Overlay blending options

Draw another dark box on another new layer approximately 50 x 50. Once again select the layer from the layer tab and right click and select the blending option. Setup the "Gradient Overlay" options as shown in figure 13.

Figure 13 Gradient Overlay blending options.

Figure 14 Final result

Changing the opacity setting will change the severity of the gradient and the scale will change the range of the gradient. Once again the angle settings will change the direction of the lighting.

Figure 15 Combination of settings

Figure 15 shows the Gradient and the Bevel and Emboss settings combined on the same layer. This is usefull for interior buttons and other detail.

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