Chrome effect

[computermike]

Hi

I am getting started. Just downloaded PaintShop Photo Pro X3.

Does anyone know of a tutorial or info on how to apply a chrome effect to some text...so it looks like its been chromed...like a car bumper or something.

I bought a book but have just read half of first chapter and not too much about the chrome effect. I played around with it, but looks nothing like chrome.

Thanks,

Mike

[LeviFiction]

I know of two ways. Turn the text into a raster on its own layer and apply the chrome to that. Or use some sort of gradient on the vector text.

Well....my suggestion is when you make the text make sure it's set to Create As Vector.

This way you can edit it and resize it as much as you want. Duplicate the layer and turn this duplicate into a raster layer by right-clicking on it and selecting "Promote to Raster Layer".

You can only apply raster effects to raster text. Then go to the effects menu and apply the change.

Why do you make a copy of the vector text layer? So that you can keep the original text should you decide you want a different typeface, fontsize, font style, vector size, you can make those changes and convert to raster again to try the chrome on the new text look. Ultimate flexibility.

[computermike]

ok I followed your steps, but the image looks nothing like chrome. I went effects > Artistic effects > Chrome. It just changed the color to a flat solid red-brown color. No shine, just flat red brown. I don't get this at all.

I played around with 3 settings; Settings, flaws and brightness. There was also a die (like dice but singular, the kind you throw and gable with), I tried several times, just flat dull colors.

I attached the file I created. Any help would be apppreciated

[computermike]

Also, if it is easy would anyone create and post so I can see what is possible?

Thanks again, MIke

[LeviFiction]

I do sincerely apologize. That is my fault I completely forgot how chrome works.

The reason you get flat colors is because Chrome uses the natural changes in brightness (the texture) of the image to create the chrome effect. If all you have is text with a single color, Chrome can't work with that. Especially a dark color.

If you change the text to a yellow you'll find that Chrome turns it a bright version of whatever chrome color you have it set to use.

Your best bet is to create some variation in brightness, some sort of texture to the text.

You can use gradients, actual textures. You can select the letters and apply texture effects to them before using chrome. One option would be to, with the text selected, add noise and then perform a motion or radial blur. Add a Gaussian blur. The selection will prevent the actual text from blurring. Then perform the Chrome effect. You should see a noticeable difference.

Image1.jpg (7.29 KiB) Viewed 6192 times

And here's the same effect with a simple Inner Bevel added for show

Image2.jpg (7.51 KiB) Viewed 6190 times

There are a lot of options but the basic key is to make sure that there is variable brightness that you can use to create the chrome look. That's why Chrome works so well with photos.

But compared to what I found online, my method is lame.

Now to make this up to you I am including links to some old, and some not so old, tutorials on how people have been making chrome text for a while.

http://www.grafx-design.com/10psp.html

http://www.pinoy7.com/psptutorials/7/3dchrome/p1.shtml

http://www.sumrallworks.com/freebies/bu ... ls/chrome/

http://graphicssoft.about.com/gi/o.htm? ... eText.html

[computermike]

Wow, thank you Levi!!!!!

Yeah I was playing around last night and added a bevel, then the chrome began to look like chrome.

I am trying to make it look like a badge on an old car, like the 60's Impala or Cutlass badge on side of car.

I haven't followed up on all your suggestions yet, but will and get back to you.

Thanks, again

Here is latest, I don't like the the dotted type line in there, have to find wat to smoth out.