this was requested by Lurifax



01. type your text - an italic font might be a good idea, because the highlights look especially good on angled surfaces


02. alpha select, shrink (i used 5) and delete


03. if you got jaggy edges, blur text (3-5), and tighten with alpha-curve


04. apply a bevel with layerfx


05. blur highlight slightly (3-5) (not always necessary), then tighten with an alpha-curve, so it becomes nice and crisp


06. paint highlights with a fuzzy brush if you like

Esper.

nice one Rod !

i especially like the way all letters are interconnected, thats a very nice touch and great idea

if i may give some constructive criticism
your highlight is a bit jaggy, thats because you didnt find the optimal alpha curve

there is always a spot between too jaggy and too fuzzy
sometimes finding that spot takes a bit of trying
so dont imitate my curves example 1:1
its just a rough guide and needs to be customised, depending on your text and bevel

Nice and straightforward tutorial.

Thank you very much Esper!
This becomes one of my favorite text effects!

*scratches head*

i didnt expect this to be popular

Nice tutorial, for the Highlights I used your metallic Highlight gradient.

Not sure why you though this would be unpopular, Esper. The simple effects are the best ones.

i feel that a lot of the participants didnt get the highlights what they were meant to be

first of all, if you use a layerfx that gives you a layer with a layermask, apply the layermask before you proceed !

when i apply layerfx, my highlights look like this


when i apply the alpha-curve it looks like this: BAD !


the highlights need blur, so we can compress it with the curve - in this case as much as 6px


if we apply the alpha-curve now, it look nice and crisp and shiny


again, if you do not find the correct curve, your highlights will be tight but also jaggy: BAD !


this is what it needs to look like

esper: i think mike is right, the simple effects are often the best ones. i haven't tried this yet, but i'm sure it won't be as simple as it looks to get everything right.

Closer?

much better !

looks really blam that way, doesnt it ?!!


thanks K1te
i like to stick to the rules, but i agree on what you say