Lesson details
Program: Adobe Photoshop CS3 +
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time to complete: 25 minutes
Final result:
In this quick tutorial, we will demonstrate how to create the Iron Hero cinematic text effect using layer styles. Let’s start!
Starting materials
Step 1. Create a new .PSD document, 1000×500 pixels in size, RGB color mode, resolution 100 ppi and gray background (color # 333333). Create a new layer and fill it with a rusty metal texture.
Now create the text using the font. CGF Arch Reactor (it can be found in the materials for the lesson). Use the settings below. Now rename this layer to “Text Base”.
Next, go to the menu Layer> Layer Styles> Blend Options (Layer> Layer Styles> Blending Options) and use these settings:
Shadow: Blend Mode – Dimming, Opacity 12, Angle 120, Use Global Illumination, Offset 8, Swipe 0, Size 7.
Inner shadow: Blend mode – Multiply, Opacity 75, Angle 120, Use global illumination, Offset 1, Diminution 0, Size 32, Noise 8.
External glow: Blend mode – Multiply, Opacity 38, Noise 0, Method – Soft, Swipe 0, Size 29, Range 50, Oscillation 0.
Stamping: Style – Emboss, Smooth Method, Depth 1000, Direction – Down, Size 3, Softening 0, Angle 120, Height 30, Illumination Mode – Illumination, Color # ffcc66 (100% Opacity), Shadow Mode – Multiplication, Color # 663300 ( Opacity 80%). Circuit: Settings – Custom, Input 50, Output 100, Angle.
Circuit: Range – 100% Smoothing.
Gloss: Blend Mode – Multiply, Color # 333333, Opacity 18, Angle 19, Offset 5, Size 5, Invert Circuit.
Color overlay: Color # cc9900, Blend Mode – Overlap, Opacity 73.
Gradient overlay: Blend Mode – Multiply, Opacity 100, Linear Style, Align to Layer, Angle 90, Scale 100.
Pattern Overlay: Blend mode – Normal, Opacity 100, Scale 100, Link to layer.
Stroke: Size 1, Position Outside, Blend Mode – Normal, Opacity 100, Stroke Type: Color, Color # 333333.
Step 2. Duplicate the text layer and rename it to “Stroke Bevel” (“Volumetric stroke”). Click the right mouse button on the layer, select “Clear Layer Styles”.
In blending options set fill (fill) layer 0%. Now apply the following layer styles:
Shadow: Blend Mode – Multiply, Opacity 75, Angle 90, Offset 1, Span 0, Size 7, Noise 0, Layer knocks out the shadow.
Inner shadow: Blend Mode – Multiply, Opacity 74, Angle 120, Use Global Illumination, Offset 8, Contrast 0, Size 13.
Stamping: Style – Emboss, Method – Smooth, Depth 1000, Direction – Up, Size 5, Soften 0, Angle 120, Height 30, Use Global Illumination, Contour with Smoothing, Backlight Mode – Normal, Color # ffcc66 (Opacity 100), Mode Shadows – Multiplication, Color # 330000 (Opacity 100).
Circuit: Range 35, Smoothing.
Gradient Overlay: Blend Mode – Overlap, Opacity 39, Gradient from Black to Transparent, Linear Style, Align to Layer, Angle 90, Scale 100.
Stroke: Size 5, Position – Inside, Blend Mode – Normal, Opacity 100, Stroke Type – Gradient, Style: Mirrored, Align to Layer, Angle 90, Scale 150.
Step 3. Again duplicate the text layer, name it “Text Detail” (“Text detail”). Right-click on the layer, select “Clear layer styles. Set layer blending mode “Multiplication” (“Multiply “).
Next, set these layer styles:
Stamping: Style – Emboss, Method – Smooth, Depth 93, Direction – Up, Size 4, Softening 0, Angle 120, Height 30, Use Global Illumination, Contour with Antialiasing, Backlight Mode – Linear Brightener, Color # 663300 (Opacity 100), Mode shadows – opacity 0.
Step 4. Duplicate the text layer for the last time, name it “Text gradient”. Click the right mouse button on the layer, select “Clear Layer Styles”. In blending options set fill (fill) layer 0%. Now apply these layer styles:
Stamping: Style – Internal bevel, Method – Smooth, Depth 164, Direction – Up, Size 208, Softening 0, Angle 90, Height 30, Contour with anti-aliasing, Backlight Mode – Overlap, Color White (Opacity 32), Shadow Mode – Overlap, Color # 663300 (Opacity 17).
Step 5. The text effect is almost done. We need to create a reflection of the text. Group all 4 layers with text. Duplicate this group. Next, go to the menu Editing> Transformation> Flip Vertical(Edit> Transform> Flip Vertical). Place the layers as shown in the image below.
Next on the layers palette, click on the icon for the maxi layer and use the tool Eraser 
(Eraser tool) hide unnecessary areas so that the result resembles a reflection. To make the text effect even better, create a new layer and add a soft light. brush (brush), setting the layer blending mode Linear Dodge.
Conclusion
Text effect is ready.
