Action for Adobe® Photoshop® 5.0
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Photoshop 5.0
KPT 3.02 Texture Explorer. You don’t have to use this feature in the Action – you can colorize yourself, or use actual photographic textures if you desire with the “Define Pattern” command.
PC based computer with a “c:\windows\temp” directory.
Simply load the KewlPack #2 Action file into your Actions palette.
Import the 3D Colorator presets (in KPT Textures folder) into KPT3 Texture Explorer using “–” (minus sign on bottom right) and “import” buttons in the TE.
Copy the “3D Foundation” Lighting Effects preset into the “plug–ins\filters\lighting styles” directory.
Any size image is fine. RGB, flat, white. 72ppi for best results.
Make your GUI layout selection with the selection tools, or the pen tool. The Action rounds the corners for you, so don’t worry about them.
Follow all onscreen instructions.
This Action works on just about any shape you can find!
You may want to save your selection as a path for later use . . .
Create a new layer above the current 3D foundation one.
Load your path as a selection if you wish, but we’ve found that drawing new “frame selections” with the selection tools work just fine. These selection borders are going to become your inlaid borders on the interface. You can make them as complex as you like, or as simple.
Leave the extra channels alone if you plan on running 3D Colorator, as it uses them.
This Action is great in conjunction with the buttons you create in ButtonBag too . . . we’ll tell you how later.
Do not do any selecting of new layers or anything – this Action works off of the 3D Framer channels you just made. Just click and run.
Select one of the Texture Explorer presets we’ve included, or create your own – low contrast and fine grain usually works best!
If don’t like what you’ve selected, the Action will ask you to stop and start over – it’s simple – just follow the instructions.
If you do like what you’ve done, continue after the question, and you’re almost done!
You can use this Action alone, or in conjunction with the 3D GUI Suite.
Open a modest sized FLAT image RGB – size is kind of irrelevant right now. You don’t need this step if you are running this on the GUI above . . . I’ll explain in step 6 and following.
Draw the shape of your buttons with the selection tools, or the pen tool. Whatever size you want, and whatever shape you want – this is Kewl!
Once you have your shapes drawn, run the Action and follow the onscreen instructions.
Colorize as you like (Use levels
to change the shading/highlights to your taste).
GUI USE: Draw the shapes on a new layer in the GUI you just finished above with the selection tools. Save those selections as a channel in a new RGB document. Now they are in exact placement!
Load that channel as a new selection on the flat background layer and delete the channel – do not dump your selection!
Make sure you are still flat, and run the Action in the new RGB image – don’t do it on your GUI!!!
Follow the onscreen instructions.
Once you’re done with this, ctl–shft–drag the Buttons layer (not the shadow – you don’t need it) to your GUI – so that this button layer is on top.
Use your selection wand to select the area AROUND the buttons (the transparent areas – don’t use “sample merged” in the options palette!) – now, create a new layer (should be “Layer 1” in name and on top).
Run the 3D framer Action on this layer – it will inlay lines around your buttons – REALLY COOL. Just delete the extra channels that it makes at the end.
Now, colorize and set the levels on your buttons; try various layer mode settings like “Hard Light” etc. – add text on top – and VOILA – you are ready to rock–n–roll on the web, or in director – or ANY OTHER way you want!
That’s it. You should be ready to go. If you have any trouble, feel free to email us with the bugs. Thank you for choosing KewlPack Action Sets!
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