Creating a Website Badge - Photoshop

Hey

This is another tutorial which uses Photoshop and it shows you how to make a cool retro style badge for you website. With a lot of time and effort you can make this look amazing.
For this tutorial you will need:

Photoshop or Similar
Time
Optionally the source pack located here.

If you are read lets begin.

Step 1) Create a good sized canvas, I picked 500 x 500 pixels. You can pick any size you want just don't make it to small.


Step 2) Create a red (or any other colour) circle in the center of the canvas don't let it touch the edges, leave a little room. Its best if you set the background to a new layer and set the background to zero transparency. I think it helps you work with the layers better.


Step 3) Add a 2 pixel Stroke to the circle you just drawn. If you have a bigger canvas use a larger stroke, small canvas your stuck at 1. A bigger canvas lets you fiddle around with the layers more.


Step 4) Duplicate, shrink and position the layer so you have a double boarder. There is probably an easier way to do this, I just can't find it.


Step 5) One hand tip is to create a cross with the ruler guides so you can align the center of the circles.


Step 6) Add a green circle on a new layer, and again add a Stroke.


Step 7) Finally add a white inner circle on a new layer. A stroke will be used as a boarder image.


Step 8) Add an interesting image in the white area. Apply a white stroke if the shape calls for it.

Step 9) Add your website name in the style and colour of what you want to use.


Step 10) Warp, bend and transform the font until it lines up with the curve of the circle.


Step 11) One final touch is to add a layer effect to the text. This is optional, but it adds and extra level of detail.


Step 12) If you want to use the image again you can put all the layers into folders, it keeps them all organized. If you are happy to use the image, flatten or directly export the image.


You have a cool looking website button created in Photoshop. You can find the The Powell Blog here.

With a lot more time you can make some amazing effects. Please leave a comment to you creations.

Hundreds of Web 2.0 Layers and Gradients

Continuing on the Web 2.0 theme, I have found and complied a large collection of about 200 + web 2.0 gradients and layer styles. These are great if you want a helping hand at creating buttons and layer styles for you website.

You can download the pack here.

For example the image below was a speech bubble shape with a layer style added. An amazing effect done in a couple of seconds.


As you can see from the preset manager there is a lot of style to chose from to get the best from you creations.


To install go Edit > Preset Manager > Gradients or Layer Styles > Import

You can download the pack here.

Apple Wallpapers

Hey

This is another installment of the wallpapers series that I seem to be doing. This time the download pack is focused on Apple. The company not the fruit. Included are some custom made wallpapers that I have found while searching the internet.

You can download the whole pack here.

Below are a couple of samples.





You can download the whole pack here.

iCal Replacement Icon Sets

I, as usual, have been searching around the web for icons. See my previous post, for the cool icon sets that a Mac use must have.

This time it is different icon sets for iCal. The icons are different variants of the original layout. Included are blue, green, orange and red. These icons can be used for all types of applications, such as the date in the top left corner (A regular feature from now on) .

Each set contain, one for every day of the year , plus ones that don't exist. (February 31st anyone).


As well as this there is also a blank set, to customize as you need.

You can download the whole pack here.

Included:

Blue, Green, Orange, Red Full set.
Blank Icon of Blue, Light Blue, Green, Light Green, Orange, Pink, Red.

The original creators website is located here.

Edit: These have now been changed.

Must Have Mac Icons

You love your Mac and you want to customize it with out hacking it to pieces, of course the next step is to add some kick ass icons to customize your layout. Present in the list is the must have Macintosh icons to pimp out your desktop. Of course this is not a definitive list and is in no particular order, but are definitively improvements over the native interface.

All of the icon packs can be downloaded in one big pack here.

1) Blend

This is one of a my personal favorites, if you want to more more of a black look out on folders and drives then this is a must have.

2) Application Folders

This icon pack is probably the most used icon pack on my Mac at the moment. It just adds another layer of detail to folders. A must download.

3) Tiger Folders

Although similar in style (Ok, there exactly the same style) these are a bit different and fill in the gaps that the previous collection missed out.

4) External Drives


A very glossy, web 2.0 icon style that looks cool when used for external drives.

5) Hard Drive Icons

This is probably the best Mac icon set for hard drives, there is so much style. A must.

6) African Stamps (Massaimara)

Bored of Mail's Icon, these are a definite replacement, African stamps that improve your dock over and over.

7) Finder

Is your normal Finder getting boring, some of the icons in this set truly make your dock stand out.

Hopefully you will be abble to pimp out your make in style now. Have fun, and leave a comment.

You can download all of the icon sets here.

Dark Wallpapers

Continuing on what seems to be this weeks theme of awesome wallpapers that you must download, is Dark Wallpapers. These are a collection of dark "moody" wallpapers that are interesting and different. Some of these that are included are my personal favourites.

You can download the whole pack of 50+ wallpapers here.

Below are a couple of the best. Enjoy.





You can download the whole pack here.

The Top 10 Firefox Themes

Recently I brought you a post about the top 10 Firefox extensions if you want to read it its is located here.

This time I am posting about the top 10 Firefox themes. The themes improve the look and feel of Firefox. In no particular order is the Top 10 Firefox themes. All the extensions can be downloaded here. Drag onto Tools > Addons > Themes.

1) Metal Lion - VistaA real cool theme that improves on the current buttons and style of Firefox.

2) Walnut for FirefoxA different type of theme, adds a cool wooden look to the page. Interesting for a different look.

3) iFox Smooth

A great theme that improves on the look of Firefox, looking and making it feel like Mac OS X. One of my favorite.

4) Aluminium Kai 2

A rather cool theme that is futuristic, a great theme.

5) Abstract Classic

A futuristic extension similar to the one above, one of my favorite.

6) Old Factory Black
A very grungy Firefox extension, but definitely a good Firefox theme to install and use.

7) iPox

A very modern looking theme similar to the previous themes this one is worth a download.

8) Scribblies Kids
More of a funky theme for kids and adults alike. This one is great of you need to brighten up your day.

9) Ubuntu Human


Its Ubuntu, it seems to be popping up every where. Now you can get it one Firefox. A lovable theme that is definitely in the Top 10

10) Windows Vista

Finally if you want Firefox to look like Windows Vista then this is the best theme, probably one of the best themes out there.

If you want to download all of the Themes here.

Amazing Widescreen Wallpapers

Recently I posted about HDR Wallpapers and although i like them they are not every ones cup of tea. So I searched my hard drive and the internet to find interesting wallpapers for your desktop. Most of these are in wide screen format but will probably scale nicely. You can download the whole pack here.

Below is a sample of what is included in the 60+ in the download.




Amazing. You can download all of them here.