Set the fore and background colors for orange and blue. You could really choose any colors you wish, but I chose these because they are opposites on the color wheel and this will produce a high contrast. Filter>Render>clouds This fills the new layer with the clouds. (The clouds filter is the foundation for many background effects) Switch to lighten mode. Add a layer mask to the clouds layer. Use the linear gradient tool, left to right and blend the clouds into the image. Drop the opacity down to 42% Try this tutorial with different patterns, colors and filters to create interesting results. Next week we are going to be creating the 3D text effects! Here is a variation: Create a layer with clouds Use the motion blur tool This is a trick I use for quick backgrounds a lot when designing brochures, posters, etc. Technical Support Forum : http://vietdown.org/vbb/index.php Background collage secrets Part 4: 3D text Click to download Wallpaper This week we are going to learn how to make the 3D Looking text is Photoshop. "Look Mom, no 3D program." 6-week Curriculum 1: BG Prep Grids, Blur and scanlines 2: shapes and text 3: blended clouds 4: 3D text 5: High Tech Shapes 6: Tiny Paragraph text Do you like this idea of Super Tutorials? Or do you prefer quick tutorials? Tell us at the cafe By Colin Smith www.photoshopcafe.com The best place to start, is to create the text. Here I used Galant (www.1001freefonts.com) and typed the letters PSC. The next thing we need to do is convert the text layer to a regular layer: Right click/Cmd+Click on the Layer name in the layers palette and select "Rasterize Layer." Now comes the fun stuff! On your text layer, press Ctrl/Cmd+T You are now in free transform mode. Right click/Cmd+Click and on the drop down menu choose "Distort." The image part with relationship ID rId11 was not found in the file. Drag the corner nodes out one at a time until you get a desirable angle. Here the type looks perspective, zooming into the distance. Apply a layer style (Double click the layer name to bring it up.) Choose Bevel and use similar settings as shown here. Don't forget to change the gloss contour. This should be your result. If not, change the bevel settings to suit. Duplicate the 3D text layer and click the eye to hide it. Now to make your text transparent: Select the type layer and open the layer styles box. On the top left you will see blending options. Open it by clicking on it. Drag the fill Opacity all the way to the left to make the type transparent. There you have transparent 3D text. Lets fade in some white: Show the Duplicated type layer by clicking on the eye once again. Now you should notice the type turn white. Add a layer mask by clicking on the icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Now select the linear gradient tool, set it foreground to background. Set the default colors (D) Drag the gradient across the screen until your happy with the result. Alright! This week you learned a few new tricks, put these to use in all kinds of ways. Hopefully whole new doors have been opened to you to travel down and explore. Next week, we will be looking at high Tech shapes. Don't forget to check out my book, "New Masters Of Photoshop" and my upcoming release, "Foundation Photoshop" this new book will be released any day from Friends Of Ed and is available at Amazon.com or most bookstores Worldwide. Technical Support Forum : http://vietdown.org/vbb/index.php Background collage secrets Part 5: High Tech Shapes Click to download Wallpaper 6-week Curriculum This week we are going to look at creating the high tech interface type shapes we are seeing everywhere. Yopu will find this very useful and use it over and over again. 1: BG Prep Grids, Blur and scanlines 2: shapes and text 3: blended clouds 4: 3D text 5: High Tech Shapes 6: Tiny Paragraph text Do you like this idea of Super Tutorials? Or do you prefer quick tutorials? Tell us at the cafe The image part with relationship ID rId22 was not found in the file. . http://vietdown.org/vbb/index.php Background collage secrets Part 4: 3D text Click to download Wallpaper This week we are going to learn how to make the 3D Looking text is Photoshop. "Look Mom, no 3D program.". tutorials? Tell us at the cafe By Colin Smith www.photoshopcafe.com The best place to start, is to create the text. Here I used Galant (www .100 1freefonts.com) and typed the letters PSC shapes. Don't forget to check out my book, "New Masters Of Photoshop& quot; and my upcoming release, "Foundation Photoshop& quot; this new book will be released any day from Friends