Tools are not used in isolation. In the real world, tools take a back seat to the process.

This logo image required many Photoshop tools and effects to create.

Phase I:
Phase II:
Phase III:
Phase IV:
Phase V:

Backboard I-A and I-B
Backboard II-A and II-B
Logo Text III-A and III-B
Visual Illusion
File Formats

Real World Example

Phase I-A: Backboard Preparation

1. Preliminary
2. Channels Palette
3. Channels Options
4. Gradient Fill Tool
5. Gradient Tools Options
6. Gradient Drop-down List
7. Apply Gradient Fill
8. Changing Gradient Results

1. Preliminary

The project started in Corel Draw 6. The structured drawing program was the ideal place to give birth to the rainbow paint palette shape.

The shape was exported from Corel Draw as a TIFF, a bitmap file format.

TIFF was imported into Photoshop and a mask was created using the "Magic Wand" tool.

Set the Options to Tolerance value of 4 and check select the "Anti-aliased" option.

Place the tip of the "Magic Wand" tool within the black shape and click. This will select the shape. Save the selection as a mask (Selections > Save Selections > New).

2. Channels Palette

Click on the Channels tab. The new mask will appear at the bottom as #4. Scrolling down may be necessary to find it.

3. Channels Options

Double clicking on the channel #4 will activate the "Channel Options" dialog box shown below.

Rename #4 to Full Size Mask and click OK.

The Channels palette label will reflect the name change as shown to the right.

4. Gradient Fill Tool

Click to activate it
from the Photoshop
Toolbox or press "G".

5. Gradient Tool Options

The Palette tab will change automatically to show the "Gradient Tool Options". The defaults settings are Normal, Opacity 100%, Mask and Dither are check selected.

Type is set to Linear and Gradient to Blue Arrow. Blue Arrow is a previously created custom gradient that I saved to the "Gradient List".

6. Gradient "drop-down" List

Access the "Gradient List" by clicking on the down arrow at the end of the Gradient "list window". Photoshop provides many custom gradients. For your test, select Copper from the drop down list. I will use my own gradient Blue Arrow for my demonstration image.

7. Apply The Gradient Fill From A to B

Click and drag from point "A" to point "B" with the gradient cursor point.

Upon release, the selection will be filled with the selected gradient as shown below.

This JPG sample is scaled to 60% reducing the file size for faster down-loading and layout considerations.

8. Changing The Gradient Results

Using a gradient from the list does not always provide the exact solution needed. Photoshop offers numerous ways to change image appearance. Few ideas are listed below:

• Use Gradient with different start and end points.
• Add or subtract colors from the Gradient.
• Modify the color position in the Gradient.

Try these and other ideas on your own. Use my examples as jumping off points for similar projects that inspire your imagination and drive.

Click Next to work on the Under Painting phase.