Time for another tutorial and this time we are going to look at how we can create a Realistic Chrome/Platinum text effect by just using the basic tools in Photoshop. The tutorial is super simple but yields quite a stunningly beautiful result that can be incorporated into just about any font or shape imaginable. While creating this effect it is important to remember that there are a few settings that are to be flexible. In order to get the best result for the font or shape that you choose to use other then what we use in this tutorial you will have to adjust a few settings to get the real realistic look of it. But we will go through all that in the few steps it takes to master this effect.

The skills needed for this tutorial is merely the basic knowledge of the most common tools used in Photoshop. We’ll be tweaking settings for the most part and everything that is apart from the most basic I will of course explain in detail so that even the most novice Photoshop user can follow this tutorial.

Step 1

First off we need to create our workspace. I have chosen the size Width: 450 and Height: 400 to make sure I can get the most detail in to the effect. Of course the bigger the better however the space of this blog makes it somewhat limited to what size on the workspace I can use and still be viewable in this column.

I have chosen to use a “Leather” background to make sure that all the details and shadowing will look as realistic as possible when the text effect is finally finished. You can go ahead and choose whatever background you like and fits your needs. Here is the background I have chosen to use:

Step 2

Now let’s pick a font to use for our text. I’ve gone ahead and used the “Magneto” font which can be purchased here but really any font that fits your need would do just fine. Or even a logo would do it. I’ve gone ahead an typed “Minervity” as my chosen word of obvious reasons.

I have also gone ahead an slightly rotated my text a few degrees using “Edit” -> “Transform” -> “Rotate“. If you haven’t done this before no worries. You will still be able to edit the text anyway you like if you want to change the text or something. Even if you rotate it the text doesn’t fixate in any way.

After adding our text you should now have something looking like this:

Step 3

Time to add some effects to our text to make it look more like a “Chrome” text. The way we are going to add effects to our text is to use the property “Blending” . Right click on you “Text” layer and choose “Blending Options…” In the window you get presented with choose “Bevel and Emboss” in the left menu of the window. Insert the following settings:

Here is the crucial step. If the font you have chosen doesn’t come out the way my preview will show then you can adjust the bevel to fit the size and structure of your text/shape by playing with the “Size” slider here in the “Bevel and Emboss” settings until you feel you have a matching effect. After adding these settings to my font I have this:

Step 4

We also need to add some shine to our text. The easiest way to accomplish this in a realistic way is to use the “Gradient Overlay” under “Blending Options…” In the left menu now choose “Gradient Overlay” and add the following settings:

As you can see the overlay gradient isn’t “Black” to “White“. Go ahead and click the actual gradient and click the left bottom box and change the color to “#000629“.

After applying these settings you should now have something looking like this:

Step 5

Alright, with that done we now need to add something that accentuates the structure and outer rim of our text. We can achieve that by adding a “Black” outside stroke to the text. In the menu to your left (still being in the “Blending Options…” window) select “Stroke” and add the following settings:

As you can see it adds quite a nice effect to the text/shape and really brings out the structure of our Chrome object. After applying the “Stroke” settings you should now have something looking like this:

Step 6

Now to our final step. We need to add some shadowing to our text in order for it to look realistic and for it to fit the scene. Often shadowing can make or break a picture if the artists/designer isn’t careful enough with the settings or cause of the lack of it entirely.

So let’s add some shadows. In the menu to your left choose “Drop Shadow” and insert the following settings:

As you can see the shadows had a definite effect on the text and it makes the text pop out in a way that’s not recreational any other way. Never be afraid to play around with the shadow settings. Usually it adds more depth to the picture the more you add to a certain point.

After adding the “Drop Shadow” effect you should now have something looking like this:

Round Up

What you can do to add even more detail to the text making it look more eye-catching is to add “Lens Flares” and “Shines” to the text/shape. If you do it carefully you will be able to create a stunning result. Just be careful. Too much of the good will make it look odd and out of place.

Also, playing around with the settings can give you some additional effect in your text. By taking off some of the bevel size you will get a cleaner “cut” of your font with less smooth edges. Sometimes this can be perceived as a “Platinum” text. Some detail to that and you will have another great text effect to add to your collection.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial as much as I have enjoyed creating it. Been a while since I finished a tutorial but I feel this one was one that will make myself a little bit more pro-active.

I am now on to my next tutorial and I have a hunch that it will be yet another “Text” effect for you to utilize and share.

Thanks!

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