Creating metallic text

[lcainokc]

Hi, don't know if this software will allow me to do what I want, and I'm definitely trying to run before I can walk. I'm dabbling with trying to make some navigation bar/button images for a website. I'm not really literate in building websites, just making some changes to a preexisting modifiable format. At any rate, I'm toying with the idea of creating a horizontal navigation bar with just text buttons (no background image other than the page background.) I've seen pages with what I want to do, just not sure how to do it.

I'm trying to create metallic text buttons in Elements, gold, to be specific. I found instructions for how to make metallic text in Photoshop, but I'm stumped right at the beginning because the instructions say to type out the text, then to go to Layer/Type/Render Layer, duplicate the layer, and hide it. The Layer menu doesn't give me a "Render Layer" option, so not sure what it translates to in Elements. Can anyone help/point me to how to accomplish this in Elements? :confused: :)

[Carbone]

Hello and welcome to the Forums!

Render can be replaced with Simplify Layer.

To create graphics with transparent background, you'll need to first create your image with a transparent background (like an empty background layer) then click on File / Save for Web, choose the GIF format and make sure Transparency is check.

Hope this helps!


Ray

[Wendy]

Hi lcainokc

... and welcome to the forum :)

Do let us know how you go on ...

Wendy

[lcainokc]

Now the instructions I'm reading (for Photoshop, not Elements) on this are telling me to change the Layer mode to Color Dodge... is there an equivalent to this in Elements? :o

[Carbone]

In the layers palette, at the top, you'll see the blending mode (Photoshop Elements), click on "Normal", then scroll down to Colour Dodge.

Ray

[Wendy]

Hi there ...

It may be easier if you post a link to the tutorial you are doing then we will be able to look at it .. :)

Another thought is that you can always use a metallic layer style on your text.

If you don't have any gold layer styles then you will find lots here:

http://share.studio.adobe.com/Default.asp

Wendy

[lcainokc]

Ah, sorry Wendy, that would be a good idea, wouldn't it, lol? :rolleyes:

Here's what I was looking at.....

Making metallic text (http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Making-metallic-text/2119)

It's not too specific in labelling which layer to work with (doesn't number/name them) so it's a bit confusing, especially for the total noob like me. :(

Also, checked out the link you posted, didn't see anything specifically for Photoshop Elements, can you point me to something that will work with Elements?

Apologies for my noobness.... :)

[Wendy]

Hi there ...

Well as far as I can see you should be able to do all of that in Elements ... I will keep a note of the link and if you have anymore problems then hopefully we will be able to sort out where you are up to.

I know what you mean about not saying which layer you are working on ... they often do that. If you do get stuck agian then just ask :)

Just had a thought have you looked in the Subscriber Area ... under downloads. There is a chrome layer style there :)

Wendy

[Wendy]

Hi ...

If you go to the link I gave you ... then just go to the Photoshop section.

Layers styles for Photoshop work in Elements too ... as do Brushes, gradients, patterns, custom shapes, displacement maps.

Wendy