A tutorial to learn how to add 3d effects to a logo

I came to the conclusion that my prior comments might just leave bad taste in your mouth so, I thought it would be only fair that I would give you something more than just “It can be done”

I cleaned up the psd file which contains Note with the same text as below that hopefully explains how it can be done.

PSD file can be found here

1. First you make the basic base shape(s)

   • I used Pentool to make the base layers.
   • These layers include Base 1 , Base 2 and Base 3

2. Selection layer ( 2nd layer )

   • I sometimes make layers that I can use to quickly get selections from important things.
   • You can do that by clicking the layer thumbnail wile pressing Ctrl. ( In this case the Layer mask thumbnail )
   • This Selection layer has a little feather ( blur ) in the edge.

3. Basic highlights and shadows.

   • These I made straight into Base 1 , Base 2 and Base 3 Layers with Dodge Tool.
   • I used Soft round brush with varying sizes.
   • Opacity from around 10% to 30% ( with a mouse )
   • I use alt to turn Dodge Tool into Burn Tool when I want to darken.
   • I used the Selection layer ( 2nd layer ) to make it easier to highlight and shadow the ridge.

   • Selection can be Inverted with Ctrl+Shift+I.

   • First layer is example of the Dodge tool highlights and shadows.

   • Forgot to mention that Dodge tool is set to Highlight
   • It’s also good to take it easy with dodgetool, build up little by little with low opacity.

4. Two big S highlights.

   • Layers with name ( S – Highlight )
   • Done with Brush tool using Soft round brush with varying sizes.
   • Used eraser tool a little in the top highlight.
   • Basic idea is that the lowest of these highlights has the Blend mode as normal and it has a little Yellowish color in it and this layer is little bigger than the highlights above it.
   • Highlight layers above the lowest highlight have white color.
   • These are all in Clipping mask with Base 1 layer so that they will stay inside it.
   • Clipping mask can be done by pointing cursor between layers and clicking there while holding Alt button. Cursor appearance should change if youre howing the cursor in right spot. ( …while holding Alt button down )

5. Edge highlights. ( a group with the same name )

   • I took these from the Base 1 layers drop shadow that I made into layer.
   • You can do that by opening the Effects ( Fx ) list and right clicking to one of the layer styles and choosing Create layers.
   • Basically I made selections with Polygonal Lasso Tool and made them into separate layers with Ctrl+Shift+J
   • Then inverted the color from black to white Ctrl+I
   • Added Blend modes and duplicated the layers and parts of the layers to get what I wanted.
   • Also I used Eraser tool a bit to soften out some edges of these highlights – Soft round brush of course.