Hi, i just formated my computer , i got some gigs free now to make some graphiks heheh :) , and i want to get into making interface pages again and some skinning for winamp, but theres a particular style i want to do but i kant get it right, ive tried lighting effects and gradients but it doesnt really come close, these have gradients with light sources, and smooth metal it seems, the effects looks something like these:
1: 3D Gradient

2: 3D Gradient2

3: 3D Gradient3

4: 3D Gradient4

Kan anyone please help me or lead me into the direction of making graphiks like these? Also anyone know of any tutorials on skinning like this or any other forums that could also help? Thanks alot :)


http://graphikdump.virtualave.net/Su...raphikDump.GIF
http://graphikdump.virtualave.net/Splash.HTM

It appears to me to be careful use of a soft airbrush spraying light greys onto a darker gradient.

gradiating
 

like with most things there are a number ways of going about this. one of the best is soft and slow airbrushing. you have the most control this way. be really subtla about it though. do it really GRADUALLY...ummm....yeah, no pun intended. this is especially good for non-uniform (not like rectangle or circle, but more "blobby") forms. Layer embosing CAN acceive such an effect too. you just have to play with the settings. try combining layer effects with soem airbrushing perhaps.

there are a few other ways to do something like this which are much easier to show than to explain.

just play with multiple layers, opacity, and layer embossing effects......and ofcourse, everyone's favorite, the airbrush tools. be nice and subtle about it though. nothing worse than exadurated gradients that just use default settings. alas, presets will be the demise of modern creativity.

Metal
 

The first thought I think you may want to get away from is "smooth". If the metal was ENTIRELY smooth it would be reflective. I have to agree with Raj on the creation process though. It's much easier to show than to explain. I personally am lazy though, he he he.
So the first question I have is what software do you have to work with? The reason I ask this is that most editors....be it Corel, Picture Publisher, Adobe etc. have either use of or something similar to bevel factory which can automate shading. From there it's a matter of getting that "brushed" metal look. It's usually created with variants of nonreflective grays.
What I meant when I said I'm lazy is that I personally render out my images in a 3d mesh modelor before I import them. It allows me to simulate real world textures quickly and somewhat simply. It's not ENTIRELY a cakewalk though as shadow scources, texture lines, and other things have to be airbrushed to maintain consistancy.
I think the real trick is finding out what method you feel comfortable with and going with it.

-Exzelian

:p i'm too dumb for all this :D i experimented (long before) with all this (and still am somethimes) and i get so frustrated when i don't get what i want, so i give up :mad:
:D

Drop shadow!
 

The absolutely easiest way to make gradients like that is (except for using filters..) to use the Drop Shadow-effect in PSP.

Quick tutorial for giving your box/circle/shape a gradient:

1. Select the shape (using the magic wand)

2. INVERT the selection (now everything _except_ for the shape is selected)

3. Use the drop shadow-effect.

For the lighter gradient on the top-left sides (assuming that the light source is there..) set the options to something like this:

colour: white
oppacity: depends on the colour of the shape..try "100" first
blur: this is the smoothness of the "shadow". try "5"
horizontal: "1" (1 pixel right)
vertical: "1" (1 pixel down)

For the dark part (bottom-right in this case) try this:

colour: black
oppacity: same as above
blur: same as above
horizontal: "-1" (1 pixel left)
vertical: "-1" (1 pixel up)

--

I think this method has many advantages over the filters, but that depends on the situation.. I use it alot though.

Hope it was of any help to you..