Create a Layered Glowing Text Effect

8/8/2019 Create a Layered Glowing Text Effect

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Create a Layered Glowing Text Effect

Final Image Preview Before we get started, let's take a lookat the image we'llbe creating. Clickthe screenshot below to view the full-size image. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership.

Step 1Make a new document that is 2000pxby 1200px. Then make a new Gradient Adjustment Layerwith a linear gradient that goes froma darkg ray (#464646) at the bottomto black (#000000) at the top. This willbe our background base.

Step 2 Make another linear Gradient Adjustment Layer above the previous one, and make it a rainbow of colors of your choice. There are some colorfulpresets that you can choose fromin the gradient palette,or create your own. Set the layer's Filldo wn to 25%. Then set the layer's blending mode toColor.

Tip: When you set the blending mode to color it makes it so the layer only affects the color of everything below it, while leaving the lightness/darkness alone.





Step 3Finally make another Gradient Adjustment Layer above the previous two. This one willbe a radialgradient. Set this one up so that the only 2 colors in the gradient are blackand then make the transparency go from100% at one endand0% at the other end.

If you see that blackis c overing the center of the image,check the Reverse box. Then make it so the black goes around the edges of the canvas. Set the layer opacityto65%. I moved the transparency handles around a little to get the exact effect that I wanted.





Step 4 Now lets begin with the text treatment. Hit (T) for the type tool, and make a (single click) on the canvas. Then type your letter, in my case a P. Then grab the Move tool and (Hit CMD+T) and transformthe letter, adjust it untilit's the size that you want it. Hit (T) again for the type tool, and if it's not already, make the letter blackby clicking the text color boxin th e property bar. Set the

letter layer's blending mode to Screen. The letter willdisappear.

Step 5 (Double click) to the right of the letter layer's name in the layer palette to bring up the layer styles palette. Put an Outer Glowanda Stroke on thelayer with the exact settings that you see below. You wills ee a very faint image of the letter now.

Let's use this first letter as a sta rting point for allthe text in the image. Once we layer severaldifferent letters on top of each other, our effect willcome to life.





Step 6 Duplicate the letter layer by dragging it down tothe New Layer buttonat the bottomo f the layer palette. Select the type tool (T)and then change the font on the n ew layer. If the new font doesn't line up how you want to h it (CMD+T) to free transformthe new letter. Make sure that you always line up the baseline of the letters. You can move the anchor point to the base line when

you are transforming to keep it lined up correctly.

Now do this step 20 times, each time using a different font. I chose to use alldifferent fonts that have serifs. You can use all fonts that are sans-serif if you like, but I wouldn't mixthe two.





Step 7 Select all the text layers that you have. Then hit (CMD+G) to group them. With the group selected in the layer palette, hit (V) for the move too l. Then (while holding ALT), click anddrag on the letters on the canvas to duplicate them. Drag themto the right where you want the next letter to be. Now there should be 2groups of text in the layer palette. Turn off allthe letter layers in

the new group (except the bottomone) by clicking in the little 'eye' icon next to each one.

Now select the text tool (T), and highlight the single letter. Then change it to the next let ter that you want, in my case an S. Finally, turn the S layer off . Then turn on the next one and do the same. Repeat this untilall the letters in your new group are changed. Turn allt he layers backon.

Repeat this step for each new letter you need.

Step 8 Select the elliptical marquee tool and make a very thin ellipse at the base of your letters. Then Feather the selection about 20px. Enter quickmask mode (Q). Then go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur. Make the angle 0 andthe length 700pxand hitOK . This gives us a nice fade out to the left and right s ides. Then exitquickmask mode (Q).

Now make a curves adjustment layer above the gradients, but below the letter g roups. Then apply a curve that looks like the one below. This just gives our letters something to sit on.





Step 9Make a new document that is 300pxby 300px. Double click on the background layer to make it an act ive layer. (Double click) to the right of the layer name to open the layer styles pa lette. Apply acolor overlay to make the layer black. Then add an inner stroke that is white to make a border. You can see my settings below.

Go to Layer>Flatten Image to flatten the image. Hit CMD+A to select all and then goEdit>Define Pattern.





Step 10 Go backto your other document. Make a new b lanklayer just above your curves layer by hitting the New Layer button at the bottomof the layer palette. Not go to Edit>Fill and select Pattern for the Contents. Then select your blackboxthat should be at the end of the list , and hitOK .

Now Hit (CMD+T) totransform the layer so that it fits in the foreground space. Then(right/contro l+click) anywhere in the transformbox and select perspective . Drag the bottom right handle way out so you get a nice perspective on the pattern layer. Set the layer's blending mode toscreen andthe opacityto15%.





Step 11There is one last s tep to add a finishing touch. Select the type layers and duplicate themby d ragging themdown to the NewLayer button. With the ne w groups selectedhit (CMD+T) then (right/control+click) in the transformbox andse lect FlipVertical. Move themdown so they looklike a reflection.

With all the reflection groups selected hit (CMD+G) to put theminto another group. Set that group'sopacityto25%. Add a maskto the group by clicking on the AddLayer Mask button at the bottomof the layer palette. With the maskselected hit (G) for the gradient tool and apply a linear gradient fromblackto white, so the reflection fades out as it goes down to the edge of the

image.

ConclusionThis tutorialcovered some simple steps and effects to achieve stylish results. The finalimage is below. If there are any questions, put themin the comments section. I willanswer themas soon as I can. I hope you enjoy this tut!

Create a Layered Glowing Text Effect

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