In this tutorial you will learn how to add that trendy smooth gloss
effect to your shapes, text and objects in Photoshop. It’s a universal
effect and can make most aspects of a design look really sleek and
attractive.
Step 1The first step to this tutorial is to create your shape on a blank
canvas. *Note that this isn’t how you have to do it all the time, but
for the sake of learning this is the quickest and easiest way to grasp
the technique. For this tutorial, we’ll use a rounded rectangle shape:
Enlarge this imageReduce this image Click to see fullsize
*Note, this can be done with any shape you like. We are using the
rounded rectangle as an example only. The technique can be applied to
text, shapes and most objects in Photoshop.
Step 2Now that you have your basic shape, you can start to construct the
glossy effect that this tutorial is all about. Your first task in this
stage is to make the selection for the area that you want to add the
gloss to. This is the trickiest part of the whole effect, so you need
to be a little careful.
To select the entire area of the shape, move yourself over to the
layers window (accessible also from Window > Layers on the top menu)
and left click on the shape layer only once. While holding down the
CTRL key on your keyboard left click the shape layer once more and it
will create a selection around the shape for you. The outcome should
look like this:
Enlarge this imageReduce this image Click to see fullsize
Step 3Now that you have your basic selection as seen above, it’s time to
trim some of that away so that you get your base for creating the
amazing gloss effect that you want. The next thing for you to do is to
create a new layer by clicking the “New Layer” icon that can be found
at the bottom of the Layers Window:
Once you have your new layer you are almost ready to start adding
your gloss effect, however you still have to limit your selected area.
To do this, select the square marquee tool from the toolbar and set the
controlling power to the one shown here:
Now that your tools are set, it’s time to select the area you want
to gloss. For the sake of the tutorial and for you to pick the
technique up quicker, drag a square selection from above the current
selection down to about half way into the shape and let go of the left
mouse button. You should end up with a result that looks like this:
Enlarge this imageReduce this image Click to see fullsize
*Note, other selections can be made by experimenting with the circular marquee and the lasso tools.
Step 4Now it’s time to actually make this gloss effect visible. Select
your gradient tool from the toolbar and set the controlling power to
the one shown here:
Enlarge this imageReduce this image Click to see fullsize
It’s important for your foreground color to be set to white. This
will be the only colour that you can use to achieve the gloss effect
properly. Now that you have your selection and your tools ready it’s
time to get to business.
Step 5Take your gradient tool, and drag downwards from just above the top
of your shape, to just below where your selection ends. Once you have
done this hold on CTRL and then tap the D key, this will deselect the
area. You should achieve a result looking like this:
Enlarge this imageReduce this image Click to see fullsize
Now I know that you’re thinking “It looks ok, but it’s not as nice
as it could be.” Well prepare to use your new found selection skills a
little more to enhance the look and feel of the current gloss overlay.
Step 6Select the area of the whole shape again by using the CTRL and left
click function on the layer of the actual shape. Once this is done go
to the top menu and navigate your way to: Select > Modify >
Contract.
In the input box enter 2 px and then hit enter.
Now for the fun part, inverting the selection. To invert the
selection all you need to do is know how to use keyboard shortcuts.
Luckily for us those kind programmers at Adobe built one in for this
specific function. To invert a selection press and hold CTRL and SHIFT
and then hit the I key on your keyboard.
Once you have done this tap delete and it will remove 2 pixels of
the gloss effect layer, and you should have something that looks like
this:
Enlarge this imageReduce this image Click to see fullsize
You can play around with other shapes using other colors and other
selection areas to achieve different looks and feelings with your
designs. The sky is the limit!
