learning photoshop...

[jasonchan]

ive been playing around with this software for quite some time. im really trying to master photoshop but i don't seem to progressing at a good rate. how do i really start diggin into this and accomplishing web 2.0 graphics. all the things i create so far pretty much "suck". any books or helpful hints?

[jasonchan]

btw, im thinkin about signin up for lynda.com. any bad or good things that i should be aware of ?

[Drazan]

Web 2.0 is an interesting interpretation of current design trends. A lot of these are done in the other vector programs like Illustrator or Flash. And there are some others that are done in photoshop.

So if you have some examples of what exactly that you want to learn to do, I can probably point you in the right direction for a tutorial.

Here's one link with some basic gradients and reflections that is part of the trend. This will help learn the tools as well.
http://www.photoshoplab.com/web20-design-kit.html

Really, though photoshop can do many, many things and if you post examples of what you want to learn - it would really help in directing you to the proper resource. From there it's just a lot of practice.

=)
Jade

[EC]

I was going to say that. I love lynda.com. I've used their training tools for years but recently signed up for their online library courses. I am getting a lot out of it. Good to brush up on stuff, go back and fill in gaps and even check out things you might not otherwise (i.e. microsoft excel or whatever). If you're not a manual kind of person (I'm not), and prefer visual instruction, I highly recommend it. Heck for $25 a month you can't go wrong for this kind of training.

[EC]

whoops drazan snuck in there. but it brings up a good point about lynda.com -- you can pop over and check out some illustrator or even "PS for web" which goes more into imageready stuff too.

These courses serve as more of a foundation so you know what all of the tools do. Not so much how to do this or that technique.

[jasonchan]

yea i do like the idea of video tutorials.. well for example, this tutorial:
http://www.absolutecross.com/tutorials/photoshop/interfaces/glossy-buttons/

got kinda lost with the 4th - 5th step.

"-If the path is still visible under the selection, right click again and choose "Delete Path". Now create a new layer and fill the selection in with white. "
-Next hold CTRL and click on "Layer 1" to select it. Go to Select » Modify » Contract and enter 1. Now go to Select » Inverse. Make sure you have "Layer 2" active and hit delete"

which is layer one and which is layer two? why would i delete the path??

well this is what i got from it... and it doesnt look right. what should i really be doing ???

[Drazan]

for my glossy technique.

I create my base object.

I create a second layer and either draw another object or use the lasso tool to draw/select an area of the object.

Create a new layer.

Fill in with a gradient that is white to translucent.

Screen and set to about 60 to 70% transparent.

Looks like the top and menu of this site when I'm done.
http://pownuke.com/

I also used that technique on lettering and it works well. The only difference is that I select the lettering, then using the "subtract from selection" lasso I remove parts of the selection that I don't want filled in. I usually use a wavy line instead of straight across.

http://www.altuit.com/webs/altuit/GlassPhotoShopTutorial/default.htm
heh, this is the very reference that I used way back when I dived in to glassy stuff. :)


On to your tutorial.

What step four is doing is creating the shape that will eventually by your highlight.

Step 5: The select inverse >> delete - is just deleting the excess that you don't want to show. In most glassy effects there will be a tiny border of the button showing through. You can see that most clearly in the image in step 6.

[jasonchan]

so am i doing the right thing as shown in the image? being the noob that i am, i cannot move to the essential step of creating the cool glossy effect... dont know what im doin wrong..

[Drazan]

Maybe it's the tutorial that's not working for you. There's more than one way to gain a result in Photoshop. Here's the basics of one of the glassy effects I use on buttons.

http://pownuke.com/photoshop/glassy_buttons/instructions.jpg
You can also reverse the gradient in step two for a little bit different effect.

Add text between the highlight (white) and the base object. This will give the illusion of more depth.

The results should look something like this.
http://pownuke.com/photoshop/glassy_buttons/glassy_source_copy.jpg

You can Download the PSD file HERE (http://pownuke.com/photoshop/glassy_buttons/glassy_source.psd). This will show you what effects I used on the different layers - in the layers pallet.

=)
Jade

[Jriddim]

what a beautiful button Draz!

[urstwile]

Drazan, I officially nominate you for tutorial queen of GDF. :)

[Jriddim]

i second that!

[Drazan]

:D

**adjusts crown**

[PuR HART]

yes i second LYnda.com or total training or u can also got to radiantvista.com
hope this helps

[Ovaltine]

There's "Photoshop, classroom in a book" It's a book that comes with a cd of projects and tutorials, which walk you through almost everything in photoshop. And it's written by Adobe.

[jasonchan]

thanks a lot for your help Drazan!

[Miss Perfect]

What taught me the most about most graphics programs was following special effects tutorials, playing with the tools along the way, until you get a good idea of what you can do. Of course, it all depends on your personal learning style.

If you're looking for a real course, I have a friend who highly reccomends the Online School of Design (their website is something like sessions.com) but they are rather pricey; I think I'll check out the one you were talking about.

[jasonchan]

thanks drazan!

[Drazan]

Yay!! I gots me my own shiny button now!

Looks like things clicked. Glad I could help.
=)
Jade

[Lonepine]

I agree, lynda.com rocks! I've been using it for about a year now and find it extremely useful. Well worth the monthly fee.

[Broacher]

>>I officially nominate you for tutorial queen of GDF<<
>>*adjusts crown**<<

Hey, you can't vote for a Queen! And if you could, I don't think it's right that they can then auto-coronate themselves!

Where's that nomination form? I want to be a Queen too.

I mean... well. So much for THAT secret.

[jasonchan]

I agree, lynda.com rocks! I've been using it for about a year now and find it extremely useful. Well worth the monthly fee.

Based on your experience with lynda, which one do you think is worth it Lonepine?

sign up for monthly, yearly or the other yearly (with excercise files)?

[jasonchan]

>>I officially nominate you for tutorial queen of GDF<<
>>*adjusts crown**<<

Hey, you can't vote for a Queen! And if you could, I don't think it's right that they can then auto-coronate themselves!

Where's that nomination form? I want to be a Queen too.

I mean... well. So much for THAT secret.

depends if you can teach us other superb photoshop techniques like drazan does... that would be quite interesting... a battle for the crown ;)

[Drazan]

<< points at avatar

I already have a crown..... ;)

[Ned]

... and I'm already a queen. ;)

[G Designz]

Nice Drazan..

How long you been doing graphics?