- This tutorial will teach you how to use this technique to style your text.
- Use the Text Tool to create the text that you want to make look metallic. Choose a base color to start. You can modify the base color later.
- Create two new layers called "Metallic Top" and "Metallic Bottom".
- Use the path tool to create a new path that extends through the text from the bottom-left to the top-right. Complete the path by creating a block around the top of the text. Use the path controls to make the path curve through the text.
- Select the "Metallic Top" layer, then press SHIFT-V to turn the path into a selection.
- Select the Gradient tool. In the tool options, set your Gradient to "Foreground to Transparent". Ensure that your foreground color is Black.
- Create a gradient beginning from the bottom of the select to the top of the text. Hold the CTRL key while you create the gradient if you are struggling to create a straight gradient.
- Press CTRL-I to invert your selection and choose the "Metallic Bottom" layer.
- Swap your foreground and background colors so that your foreground color is White.
- Create a gradient beginning from the middle of the selection to the bottom of the text. Hint: Your gradient will start from roughly the same place. You will just extend down instead of up.
- Create a new layer called "Text Gradient".
- Select the Gradient tool again. In the tool options, set your Gradient to "Foreground to Background".
- Reset your foreground and background colors to Black and White respectively.
- Create a gradient on the Text Gradient layer extending from the bottom of the text to the top.
- Right-click on the text layer in the Layer dialog and choose "Alpha to Selection".
- Press CTRL-I to invert your selection.
- Now choose choose each of the other layers ("Text Gradient", "Metallic Top", and "Metallic Bottom"). On each layer, press CTRL-X to remove everything outside of the text.
- Now choose each of the layers ("Text Gradient", "Metallic Top", and "Metallic Bottom") and in the Layers dialog box, set their Mode to "Grain Merge". For the "Text Gradient" level, also set the Opacity to 50%. For the "Metallic Top" and "Metallic Bottom" layers, set their Opacity to 75%.
- At this point, you can tweak the image as you like. Modify the opacity on the "Text Gradient", "Metallic Top", or "Metallic Bottoms" to enhance the effect. You may also use the Hue-Saturation tool to change the base color of the text.
- A text impression and drop-shadow can give this text a nice effect.
