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Adobe Photoshop

Free Tutorials » Adobe Photoshop » Dark Layout Part 1

Learn how to make a web site header and nav in this first part of the "Dark Layout Tutorial".

Step 1

Start a new document, 700 by 600 pixels and fill the background in with black.

Now make a new layer and select the Polygonal Lasso tool and make a selection similar to below:

Step 1 diagram

Step 2

Fill the selection in with black, press ctrl + D to deselect. Bring up the blending options for this layer and select "Gradient Overlay". Use the options below:

Step 2 diagram

Step 3

Now "Stroke":

Step 3 diagram

Step 4

Press OK! It should be looking like below:

Step 4 diagram

Step 5

We now need to add a top banner effect, either make one yourself or save the below image and place it underneath the 2 layers.

Step 5 diagram

Step 6

We now need to duplicate layers 1 & 2 and rotate them "Vertically" and position them bottom left and right under the banner. As shown below:

Step 6 diagram

Step 7

We now need to create a new layer underneath everything else, make a selection like below:

Step 7 diagram

Step 8

Fill the selection in with black, press ctrl + D. Now bring up the blending options and select "Gradient Overlay" and use the below settings:

Step 8 diagram

Step 9

Now "Stroke":

Step 9 diagram

Step 10

Should be looking like something below.

After that duplicate the layer and rotate the layer horizontally [ Edit > Transform ] and place it in the top right hand corner. You should now have 2 of these shapes on your canvas, top left & right!

Step 10 diagram

Step 11

Now duplicate the layer and place it inline of the bottom banner. See below image:

Step 11 diagram

Step 12

We now need to add some text, grab a pixel font. I used "04b_21". Type out your navigation text on the bottom bar (Make sure the text layer is at the front). Make sure the pixel text is black. Now bring up the blending options and chose "Drop shadow". Use the below options:

Step 12 diagram

Step 13

Your text should look like below:

Step 13 diagram

Step 14

Make a new layer above everything else. Grab the pencil tool, draw one pixel line of white next to 1 line of black of the height of the bottom gradient bar.

Step 14 diagram

Step 15

Now det the layers mode to: Soft light and the opacity to 46%. Duplicate this layer enough times so you can place the border either side of your navigation links. Below is my result:

Step 15 diagram

Step 16

I think we now to to bring the banner alive. Lets make it a little more shine!

Make a new layer on top of the blue banner but underneath the gradient layers. Grab the polygonal lasso tool and make a selection similar to below:

Step 16 diagram

Step 17

Grab the gradient tool, [ white > transparent ]

Drag from top to bottom to produce a nice gradient effect. Change the layers opacity to 27%. This should bring some shine on to the banner.

Step 17 diagram

Step 18

Lets add some text to the banner. Select your favorite font, I chose something simple called "Helius". Type out your site name in black. Bring up the blending options.

Gradient Overlay:

Step 18 diagram

Step 19

Stroke:

Step 19 diagram

Step 20

Outer Glow:

Step 20 diagram

Tutorial navigation

Tutorial comments

01.03.2009 -

clanrisk says …

Belia:

"We now need to add a top banner effect, either make one yourself or save the below image and place it underneath the 2 layers."

you have to read what he posts.. hope that works

12.04.2008 -

20robbo08 says …

Niice

30.09.2007 -

XBeliaLX says …

how can i put my image(banner) sorry but i cant find how !

View all user comments for this tutorial.

Tutorial statistics

Date added:
29.10.2004
Author:
Zymic
User rating:
3/5
Rate tutorial:
Total views:
19408
Total comments:
3

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