This little tutorial will describe how to create some shape, that looks like a 3d shape cut out of a steel pane.
| Step1: Create a new picture, with white background.
If you have done that, create a new transparent layer, and name it "steelshape" For reference, check my shot on the right, your should look similar
to it.
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| Step2: Activate "steelshape" while clicking on it. Then switch over to the "paths" dialogue. Use the "bezier tool" I did a hook, so if you need an idea for a shape, you can simply copy
it :-)
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| Step3:
In the paths dialogue, click on "path to selection"  ,
so you have made a selection out of your paths.
Switch back to the "layers" dialogue, then simply fill the layer black. Pressing "<ctrl>+<,>" together does the trick. Do not deselect anything, you need the selection later. Now you should have something like that.
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| Step4:
Create a new transparent layer, on top of all other layers. Name it "hightlight". Now, right click into the image, then chose: Select -> Shrink.
Fill this selection with white by pressing <ctrl>+<.>. After that, deselect, and make "hightlight" invisible, while
clicking on the "eye" symbol Your layer dialogue should look like mine now.
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| Step5:
Right now, it does not look very cool. But it is almost finished. Activate "steelshape" and check "Keep Trans." in the layers dialogue. Use the "gradient tool" Should look similar to this one.
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| Step6:
Make "highlight" visible again, check "Keep Trans". Do a gradient exactly in the other direction. Start top left, and end bottom right. If you have done that, move "highlight" 1pixel to the left, and one pixel to the top. After that, merge down "highlight" on "steelshape" by pressing <ctrl>+<shift>+<m>. Finally right click on "steelshape", choose: Script Fu ->
Shadow -> Drop Shadow
That's it :-) |
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to
create a shape that fits your needs.
in
the layer dialogue.
to create a black to white gradient, from down right corner, to the top
left corner.