Reincarnation Post: Text in Photoshop

This is the fourth part of the Text Tutorial. The third part is here. Here I will add a drop shadow.

Step 1 : First go to Layer>Layer Style>Drop Shadow

Step 2 : The Layer Style 'Drop Shadow Structure' opens.

Step 3 : If you click ok without any tinkering, this is the effect you get. A drop shadow has been added giving a 3D look to the lettering.

Step 4 : I have dragged the 'Distance' (A), 'Size' (B), 'Spread' (C) sliders in that order. I have dragged them only a little bit. As you drag each of the sliders you will be able to see the effect. Lastly reduce the 'Opacity' by 50 % dragging the slider to the left.

Step 5 : This is the effect. The point is not to overdo it. You can make the drop shadow as big as you want by dragging the 'Size' slider. The color of the shadow is black. It always is you will say, but at times if you change the color, it looks great.

Step 6 : When uou click the Text Tool above, the color of the text is shown to be black by default. Change it to the color you want with the Color Picker. You can see here how it is changed as I had explained earlier.

Similarly, you can change the color of the drop shadow. Here is how it is done.

Step 7 : In Drop Shadow Structure above click the black color box (red arrow).

Step 8 : When you click the colox box in the Drop Shadow Structure (A), the Color Picker (B) opens. Use the eye dropper tool that appears when you hover your cursor over the color of the text (C) to choose the most appropriate shade. It automatically select the color (D). Should you want another color click in column in the middle to select the color. Then select the shade from the large box on the left. After you are done select ok.

Step 9 : After selecting the color of the drop shadow with the Color Picker. Click Ok in the Color Picker. The Drop Shadow Structure remains. Set the 'Distance', 'Size' and 'Spread' of the drop shadow by dragging the sliders. Lastly reduce the 'Opacity' to 50 %. Click ok.

Step 10 : Here is the Drop Shadow in Blue. You can make it any color you like.

Now let me add another effect.

Step 11 : Go to Layer>Layer Style>Bevel and Emboss.

Step 12 : This is the Layer Style Bevel and Emboss Structure. Click ok without altering tne settings.

Step 13 : The letters now have a bevelled look. You can give further bevel effects.

Step 14 : In the Bevel and Emboss Structure drag the Size and Depth sliders to the right. You will be able to notice the effect that it has on the text. Click ok when satisfied.

Step 15 : Here is the Bevel and Emboss effect. Note that I first added the Drop Shadow then the Bevel and Emboss. You can Bevel and Emboss the letters without giving a drop shadow, or add a Drop Shadow later if you want. Here is another Bevel and Emboss effect.

Step 16 : In the Bevel and Emboss dialogue structure click the 'Technique' and a small drop down box appears. Select 'Chisel Hard'.

Step 17 : After changing the 'Technique' to 'Chisel Hard' , click the Gloss Counter (highlighted in yellow). From the dropdown box click where the small white hand points to. It is called 'Ring Double' If you hover your cursor over it you will be able to see it. Click to select it. Also check the 'Anti aliased box beside it.