Graphics Zone - Using Paths in Photoshop

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Using Paths in Photoshop to Create a Wire Effect

by BarryHilton, Adult NetSurprise

In this tutorial we'll be using Photoshops Paths feature to create a wire effect... Start by opening a new image 300 pixels wide by 200 pixels high... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions

We'll be working with a black background, so paint your image black... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

We'll set up our wire color next, so change the foreground color to a middle red color... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Now, select the Paint Brush tool (not shown on screen shot as it's hidden under the brush selector window). Then change the brush size to your chosen wire size... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Add a new layer and select the Free Form Pen Tool... Click inside your image and draw your path while holding the mouse button... Let go the mouse button when you're done! Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Go to the paths menu and right click on the Path Layer Name, select Stroke Path from the drop down menu. Choose the Paintbrush (we set this up earlier) then click OK... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Using Photoshops effects we're going to add a Smooth Inner Bevel to our wire to make it look more realistic. Right click on the layer name to bring up the Layer Style menu, select Bevel and Emboss, then change the shadow color to a deep red... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Change the highlight color to yellow... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

And the bevel size to 3 pixels... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Deselect your path so you can see the wire effect easier... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

To add our terminal at the end of our wire we're going to use the Fixed Size Elliptical Marquee to create a circle... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Select your gradient... In this tutorial I've used the Gold gradient which is available for download in the Graphics Zone Free Graphics page (Download Here). To add the Gold gradient to your selection, click the arow button shown on the top right of the menu and select Load. Alternatively you can use the Copper Gradient... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Click and drag diagonally (top left to bottom right) across your rivet to get a reflective metal effect. Then deselect your marquee... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Right click on the rivet layer name and select Blending Options, choose Bevel and Emboss again to create our 3D effect rivet... Change the Shadow color to dark brown... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Change the Technique to Chisel Hard and 8 pixels size to get a conical 'dome' effect... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions and our final example page.

Copy your Rivet layer... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions and our final example page.

Then click inside your image and drag the second rivet to the other end of your wire... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions and our final example page.

And here's our completed example wire... Click Here to view our final example page.