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OSX v3
by Matt Kloskowski
ExtremePhotoshop.com

Welcome back. This week we're going to learn how to create the new MAC OS "X" for
version 10.3 that you can see on apples web site. Yes, I know - I'm not a mac person
but apples X's always make for a good tutorial. Here goes:

Step 1: First, create a new document that is 500 by 500 pixels in size. Now you need to
create the X. I used the X on the apple web site as a reference and drew mine with the
pen tool. You could also use the polygonal lasso tool as well since the X appears to have
all straight edges. Also, don't worry if you don't get it right. I'll have the final PSD file on
my web site so you can download it there if you need to. When you're done, fill the X
with white on a new layer and deselect it if needed.

Step 2: Next, we're going to add some layer styles to the X. First a Bevel and Emboss
style.
Step 3: Then a stroke...

Step 4: And finally a gradient overlay. There is one trick to this step though. Many
people don't know that when you are in the gradient overlay style box, you can move
your cursor over your image and drag the gradient around. This works great when using
a radial gradient because the layer style box defaults the gradient to the center of the
image. We're going to want to move it up slightly. Below are the settings for the layer
style and an image to help you position the center of the gradient.
Step 5: Now it looks to me that the X has a slight brushed metal look to it. Its hard to
see and I'm not sure but we can add a subtle one easily. First create a new layer above
the X. Ctrl + click on your X layer to put a selection around it. Now click on the new
layer to make it active and fill the X selection with white. Hit Ctrl + D to deselect. Then
go to Filter -> Noise -> Add Noise. Use these settings. Amount: 51%, Gaussian,
Monochromatic checked. You should have something like the picture below.

Step 6: Now change the blend mode of the new X layer to "Soft Light" and drop the
opacity down to around 80%.

Step 7: Next we need to create the highlight area at the top of the X. Use your lasso or
pen tool to create a selection similar to the first picture below. Then hold down Ctrl + Alt
+ Shift and click on your main X layer (the one with all of the layer styles on it). This
will minimize your wide selection to encompass only the area that intersects with the X.
will minimize your wide selection to encompass only the area that intersects with the X.
Then, create a new layer and fill this selection with white. You should have something
like the second picture below. Be sure to hit Ctrl + D to deselect when you're done.

Step 8: Next add a layer mask to this highlight layer (click this icon <img
src="images/step8_layermask.gif"> button at the bottom of the layers palette). A new
small white layer thumbnail will appear next to your original layer thumbnail. Click on it.
Create a black to white linear gradient on the layer mask similar to the image below. You
can toggle the visibility of the layer mask by clicking on it and holding the ALT key. That
way you can just see the layer mask and work more precisely. Just hold ALT and click on
the layer mask again to get things back to normal. Also, set the layer blend mode to
Overlay on the highlight layer. You should have something similar to the second image
below.
Step 9: We're almost done. To add some more realism I linked all of the layers together
(except for the background layer) and created a new layer set via the layer palette
options "New Set From Linked". Then I duplicated the layer set by dragging it to the
folder icon <img src="images/step9_folder.gif"> at the bottom of the layer palette. I
then clicked on the bottom layer set and went into Free transform mode (Ctrl + T). Next,
I went to Edit->Transform->Flip Vertical to flip the bottom X. I then moved the upside
down X so it was positioned at the bottom of the other X.

Step 10: Finally, I clicked on the bottom layer set and created a layer mask on the
entire set. I dragged a black to white gradient from the bottom upwards to make it look
like a reflection (Don't forget to click ALT if you want to see your mask only). Your layer
mask should look similar to this and the final picture is below.
Well thats it for this time. I hope you enjoyed this weeks tutorial. As always, please feel
free to email me at mattk@tampabay.rr.com with any feedback, comments or
suggestions. Also stop by www.extremephotoshop.com for more tutorials and any PSD
files related to the tutorials I write here.

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