Glossy Silver Web 2.0 Icon Tutorial

oday's Etc Tutorial is a classic web 2.0 glossy silver effect. We will be applying the web 2.0 glossy silver effect to a Photoshop comment bubble shape to create a icon.

Here we’re going to create the Speech Bubble Icon from the Free Glossy Silver Icon set found on IconsETC.

STEP #1

Create a new transparent document 512px by 512px st 72dpi.

STEP #2

To create the comment bubble shape activate the text tool by typeing T, chose Webdings as your font, set it to 350pt, then type (^) as shown below.

STEP #3

Next double-click on the text layer you have just created to bring up the Layer Styles Dialog Box. Then apply the following layer styles:

STEP #4

Now to create the gloss layer create a new layer by going to LAYER >> NEW >> LAYER in the menu and name the layer “Gloss”. Use the paint bucket tool to fill the layer with white.

STEP #5

Grab the Elliptical Select Tool and select a region similar to the one depicted below and press Ctrl+X (or Command+X) to remove it.

STEP #6

Set the layer blend mode to Soft Light, the opacity to 75%, and the fill opacity to 62% as seen below.

STEP #7

Right click on the gloss layer and select “Create Clipping Mask” as seen below.

Thats it!

You should now have something that looks like the comment bubble you see below.

This also works great as a text effect as seen below.

Matte White Square Check Mark Icon

Today's Etc Tutorial is a matte white square check mark icon. We will also be creating the accompanying background image. The check mark is a standard Photoshop shape.

Here we’re going to show you how to create the Matte White Square Social Media Icons that we have on Webtreats ETC.

STEP #1

First you will need to download and install a couple free photoshop patterns seen below. Alternatively you can download the project source files which include these patterns below.

	Webtreats ETC’s Free Fabric Photoshop Patterns tutorialsetc-fabric-patterns-webtreat.zip
	Brushed Metal Background Pattern tutorialsetc-brushed-metal-texture.zip

Click here for help installing photoshop presets

The easiest way to install any photoshop preset is to simply drag the files into Photoshop, but it doesn’t always work. If the drag and drop method doesn’t work for you, you will need to find the appropriate presets folder and drop your files in there.

BRUSHES (.abr)
WINDOWS: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop (version)\Presets\Brushes\
MAC: /Users/(username)/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop (version)/Presets/Brushes

SHAPES (.csh)
WINDOWS: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop (version)\Presets\Custom Shapes\
MAC: /Users/(username)/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop (version)/Presets/Custom Shapes

PATTERNS (.pat)
WINDOWS: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop (version)\Presets\Patterns\
MAC: /Users/(username)/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop (version)/Presets/Patterns

Layer Styles (.asl)
WINDOWS: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop (version)\Presets\Styles\
MAC: /Users/(username)/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop (version)/Presets/Styles

STEP #2

Create a new document 512px * 512px then create a new pattern fill layer by going to LAYER >> NEW FILL LAYER >> PATTERN in the menu and selecting the 10th fabric pattern from the pattern set you installed in step one as seen below.

STEP #3

Create another pattern fill layer this time selecting the brushed metal pattern. Then set the layer blend mode to overlay as seen below.

STEP #4

Create a new hue/saturation layer by going to LAYER >> NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER >> HUE/SATURATION in the menu and set Saturation = 0 and Lightness = 30. Then set the layer blend mode to overlay as seen below.

STEP #5

Now lets create the square base of the icon. To do this activate the shape tool by pressing U. Make sure the rounded rectangle shape tool is selected and the radius set to 60px then draw out a square similar to the one shown below.

TIP “Hold the shift key down while dragging to maintain the correct proportions and hold down spacebar to reposition”

STEP #6

Activate the layer styles pallet by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu. Then enter the settings below.

STEP #7

To create the shadow that helps give these icons their 3D look first create a new layer beneath the square layer you just created. Activate the brush tool No sniplet called brush. Choose a simple round brush, set the opacity to 50%, the size to 50, and the sharpness to 0, then paint in a shadow around the base of the icon as seen below.

STEP #8

Now above the square layer create a new layer by going to LAYER >> NEW >> LAYER in the menu. Activate the shape tool by typeing U. Make sure the custom shape tool is selected then choose the built in check mark shape and drag out a shape similar to the one below.

TIP “Hold the shift key down while dragging to maintain the correct proportions and hold down spacebar to reposition”

STEP #9

Activate the layer styles pallet by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu on the check mark layer you just created. Then enter the settings below.

That’s it!

You should now have something like what you see below.

Didn’t get the exact same results? Want to save some time? Download the source files below

Red and White Pearl Download Icon

Here we’re going to create the download icon from the red and white pearl icons series at IconsETC.

STEP #1

Create a new document 400px * 400px with 72dpi and a white background as seen below.

STEP #2

To create the base of the icon first activate the shape tool by pressing U. Make sure the ellipse shape tool is selected then draw out a circle similar to the one shown below.

TIP “Hold the shift key down while dragging to maintain the correct proportions and hold down spacebar to reposition”

STEP #3

Activate the layer styles pallet by double clicking on the layer you just created or by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu. Then enter the settings below.

STEP #4

Now above the pearl layer create a new layer by going to LAYER >> NEW >> LAYER in the menu. Activate the shape tool by typeing U. Make sure the custom shape tool is selected then choose the built in arrow shape and drag out a shape similar to the one below.

TIP “Hold the shift key down while dragging to maintain the correct proportions and hold down spacebar to reposition”

STEP #5

Rotate the arrow you just created by 90% by going to EDIT >> TRANSFORM >> ROTATE >> ROTATE 90 CW. Then select the move tool and center the arrow.

STEP #6

Activate the layer styles pallet on the arrow layer now and enter the settings below.

That’s it!

You should now have something like what you see below.

Didn’t get the exact same results? Want to save some time? Download the source files below