GRAPHIC

YouTube Background Tutorial

The default YouTube profile background is fairly plain, even with their custom design options its not quite unique. With the following tutorial ive made for you to follow you can learn how to create a great looking Web 2.0 YouTube background design. I included a .PSD file to start you off with and then just apply the various effects/settings as shown below.

Download the .PSD file here!

Step 1

Open the .PSD file I have included with this tutorial. In the "Layers" area near the bottom right you should have two folders and a layer. Click the Eye next to all the layers to hide them for now. Create a new layer by clicking the little paper looking icon and drag it to the Bottom of the layers list. This will be your background and be underneath all the other layers.

Step 2 Select the Gradients tool (normally in the sub menu to the Paint bucket tool, click and hold to reveal the sub menu). Click the thumbnail gradient at the top left to reveal the gradient settings window. Around the gradient preview you will see 4 small arrows, double click the bottom left and input the colour code (#0500d9), click OK. Same again with the bottom right arrow and input (#090040), click OK when finished.

Step 3

Hold shift and drag a line from top to bottom of your canvas. Release shift and your mouse button and you should be left with a Gradient effect across your canvas.

Add caption

Add caption

Step 5

On the main menu again select, FILTER > DISTORT > POLAR COORDINATES. Follow the settings shown below in the image and press OK.

Step 6

Now you should have a sunburst effect on your canvas. On the layers area re-enable all the layers by clicking the small box next to them showing the eye. Click the folders to reveal the layers inside and change these layers to an opacity of 10% each. Opacity setting can be found just above the layers.

Add caption

Add caption

 

For the average user, most would see any content placed inside those 2 left and right sections down the sides. Any futher out than that and most would not see it unless they have a bigger monitor. My personal laptop is 15" screen and can only see content put inside of those sidebars otherwise its off the screen and not visible so please keep this in mind when adding content ontop.

 You can now create more layers and add in the content you want to the sidebars because you've sucessfully completed this tutorial!

5 Useful Photoshop Effects in 3 Easy Steps

In this fun tutorial Andrea will explain how to create 5 essential effects in 3 easy steps, using basic Photoshop tools. Useful for a range of situations, these effects work best when you don't have time to reach high quality standards. If you work in an agency you know how it goes -- these techniques are lifesavers! Andrea submits the following ...

1. The Bold And The Beautiful Effect

Let's try to replicate the soft and blurry image effect used (and abused) in soap operas, daytime dramas and erotic magazines. I'll call it The Bold And The Beautiful Effect.

Step 1 : Duplicate the picture's layer.
Step 2 : Apply Gaussian Blur.

Step 3 : Set Screen blending mode, possibly reducing Opacity to your liking.

Done! You can puke now. It's a release.

                                2. Fake Miniature Photography

                This pops up here and there. You take a picture of a landscape or a nice city shot.  miniature-start

Step 1 : Enter Quick Mask and make a gradient selection. (detail)
Step 2 : Invert the selection and apply Lens Blur. (detail)

  

Step 3 : Adjust colors and sharpen the image.

Now it looks like it's a model. Cute! 

 ... continues

 

3. Instant Starry Sky

This technique is very useful when you need to add fine details to complex illustrations.
It doesn't replace a real starry sky but, if used with attention, can produce convincing results.

Step 1 : Create a gradient for the sky.
Step 2 : Select the Brush Tool (B) then hit F5 to bring up the Brushes palette.
Adjust Diameter and set a large Spacing. Use the preview at the bottom for reference. Now instead of painting solid strokes you will dot the sky with stars.

 

Add caption

Set Shape Dynamics. Increase Size Jitter to vary the diameter of the stars. For Control choose Off if you don't have a tablet. Then start saving to buy one. (See Shape Dynamics)
Set Scattering. You want your stars to pop up at random spots so use the preview as guide.

Set Opacity Jitter. This is crucial in making some stars appear closer and others appear farther. If you have a tablet you can control opacity and size by varying the pressure, thus having more control. If you don't have a tablet it's ok. (Jitter)
Some stars are small and bright, others are big and close to us but duller. Randomness looks good here.
Step 3 : Now you can have fun painting the galaxy away!

 . continues

4. Wood Texture

This is not intended to replace high quality textures but it's a good method to fake wood when creating complex objects and textures will not be closely scrutinized.
Step 1 : Choose brown hues for foreground and background colors.
Step 2 Apply the Fibers filter (Filter > Render > Fibers). Choose the values you like.

 

Step 3 : Duplicate the layer, set it to Soft Light mode then apply Filter > Artistic > Poster Edges. Use the preview for reference and don't overdo it. (enlarge)
Add knots with the Liquify filter. Use the various tools on the left side of the palette. 

 imple and not overly realistic but very fast and useful for small surfaces.

5. Brushed Metal Texture

This has the same usage warnings as the previous texture. Good for small surfaces not in focus, bad for extensive objects with no detail. Use real textures for those.
Step 1 : Choose gray hues for foregound and background colors. Go to Filter > Render > Fibers.

Step 2

Apply Motion Blur (Filter > Blur > Motion Blur).

Step 3 : Duplicate the layer, set it to Multiply.
This is way too simplistic. Let's add some dirt and variation.
Go to Filter > Sketch > Chrome.

Now those stains and drippings give it more realism. I use these techniques all the time when making icons. Conclusion

That's it. See how easy it is to create textures and patterns with basic tools in Photoshop?
And we've only scratched the surface! Have fun!
[END QUOTE]
Again, a big thanks and a round of applause for Andrea Austoni's Cute Little Factory for posting this tutorial to the Photoshop 911 Tutorials page! See lots of bright, sincere design and visuals at the www.cutelittlefactory.com -- while you're there, don't miss Andrea's Portfolio and Freebies page featuring lots of original icons, vectors and wallpapers -- free for your personal use. If you contact Andrea, tell him Fred sent you!