Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Create a Lightsaber


The lightsaber icon is a simply design that can be created using only a new simple steps. The following is a quick guide on how to create the above lightsaber.



1. Create a new document 100x100. Fill the background color to #646464.

2. Get out the 'Rounded Rectangular Tool'. Have these settings:
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Make a shape very similar to the width and size of this:
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Make the background color #3d3d3d. Now you will make the light. Make another selection like this:
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The same width, but taller. Make the backgorund color #cfecff.

3. Create a new group. (layer -> new -> group) Place both layers inside the group. With the group selected, rotate (control T) the group -45 degrees.

4. Go to your light blue shaped layer. Right click the layer and go to Blending Options. Fill in these settings:
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5. Create a new layer beaneath the handle layer. Go to the handle layer and merge down (control E) so you have just a regular dark gray layer. It is time to use the 'Dodge Tool' and 'Burn Tool'. On the Dodge Tool set it to Midtones and 100%. and Burn Tool to Midtones and 100%. Both a brush size of 1px. Here is an example of where you should make the settings:
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Remember to use the Fade (shift+control F) often and that what I did is not set in stone.

6. The final step involves adding a shadow. Duplicate your grouped layer so you have two lightsabers. Rotate (control T) the new layer by -45 degrees again. Now flatten (control E) the duplicated group layer. Move the single layer so the two lightsabers make a 45 degree angle. Now hue/saturate (control U) and set the lightness setting to -100. Click OK. It should look like this:
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Add a layer mask now. Set the gradient to "Reflected Gradient". Make a selection like this:
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7. You are done! Here is the result:
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