looks great mate if your just getting started maybe have a read of this, its a copy pasted tutorial
Layering
The lovely thing about Photoshop is the layering system. Basically, every new addition you make to a signature, this should be completed on a new layer. Layers provide you a chance to change each individual brush stroke, insert and object made.
Keyboard command for a new layer is: CTRL + SHIFT + N
Some tutorials may tell you to merge layers whilst starting off, I suggest not following this and leaving your layers single. The reason for this being it constricts the amount of changes you can make and I feel, whilst learning, you need to play around with everything you do.
Hiding layers is useful when duplicating layers. The eye next to the layer hides/un-hides the layer. Once you have hidden your duplicated layers, work with the BOTTOM layer first and as you complete each layer, bring back the layer above. This is mainly used when blending a render, the bottom layers being blurred, smudged or altered and the overall result being the top render blending in better.
Layer Options are used to make adjustments to layers. The drop down menu can be accessed in the top left of your layer box. These options can be the slightest of adjustments or very dramatic. Whilst making new layers play around with the different options and eventually you will work out how each option changes the outcome of the layer.
Moving layers is easy stuff, simply click the layer you would like to move and drag it up or down depending on where you would like to put it. No tricks here.
Focal Point
In a signature, the focal point is almost everything. You may have an awesome font you just installed and want to show it off, but the focal point of a signature should never be the text. You can create your focal point through a few quick and easy layers.
1) When using a stock photo/sprite, smudge around what you want to be your focal point. The smudging doesn’t have to be done with any fancy settings, just so that the rest of the signature has been distorted.
2) A fine, black brush. I know some people may prefer to use the burn tool, which still works fine as well. For this technique, simply brush around your focal point. Try to do large areas in one fluid motion otherwise it will look patchy and take away from the overall effect. Your brush settings for this should be roughly; Strength – 50%. Once you have finished brushing, mess around with the opacity and fill if you think that you have made the area too dark.
The focal point comes hand in hand with the depth of your signature. You should think about both areas whilst inserting your render/stock.
Too much depth.
Not enough depth.
Once you have some experience, it should be obvious to you how and where to place your render. Although some hints I can give is to; include the main interest points on a render/stock. For example, a soldier signature, obviously you will include enough detail to show that it is a soldier, but not too much. To create depth in a signature I suggest the use of C4D’s, both behind and in front of your render. Play around with the settings on the C4D layers so that they don’t stick out like dogs balls. As I said, it is all about experience here, not much I can really say.
Renders
Renders are the basis of all signatures and what everything should be designed off. You can cut out your own renders, but this takes A LOT of time and in the long run, could look very tacky.
To place renders on your signature, open your render. Hit CTRL + A, to select all. Then go to Edit > Copy. Go back to your window to where you would like to place your render and go Edit > Paste. Now it is time to resize your render, go to Edit > Transform > Scale. You now will have the ability to drag the edges to make it fit your signature dimensions. IMPORTANT note is that whilst changing the size; hold SHIFT so that you keep the proportions of the original size. Now click the cursor, it should come up, ‘Do you want to apply this transformation?’ Click yes.
Planet Renders v4.1
Gamerenders Portal | Your Source for Free Gaming Images
Home - Sneaky's Render Index
It would be smart to sign up to these websites as it provides you with greater access to render galleries and their forums. These forums are useful in learning new techniques and grabbing the newest renders.
C4D’s
C4D’s are made in a program called Cinema 4 and hence where the name comes from. They are used to create depth and flow in a signature.
There are numerous packs of C4D’s out there and I suggest looking on Deviant Art or using Google to find some packs. Go for packs that have a variety of colours, shapes and designs; you never know when you will need a C4D.
When using C4D’s remember that the colours match! This does not mean right from the pack, use photo filters, layer properties and adjustment levels to make the colours fit the signature. Use all of the transform functions (scale, rotate, skew), to make the C4D flow with the signature. You do not want the whole signature going one way and then your C4D on a different angle.
Brushes
Brushes are the basis of all signatures and provide the necessary outcomes. They can be used to create lighting, flow or yes, depth. Once brushes have been mastered properly, signatures can be done in a matter of minutes. A few brush sites are:
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Free Photoshop Brushes at Brusheezy!
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deviantART: where ART meets application!
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PS Brushes.net - Photoshop Brushes, Your Number one source for Photoshop Brushes
To upload brushes to Photoshop,
"Quick brush tutorial:
1. For Photoshop CS and above, click the download button, unzip the file, and then copy the brushes into C: program files > adobe > photoshop > presets > brushes. Then load photoshop and load the brushes." Taken from
deviantART: where ART meets application!
Fonts
Fonts are what make a signature, without the proper text, you may have just stuck some cool font on top of an image you found on Google.
When deciding on a font to use in a signature, remember a few things;
- What are the overall lines of the signature? Fonts should resemble the overall lines, for example; a signature with fluid lines that flow onto one another, you would want to use a font that is not too complicated. Where as a signature with sharp and hard lines, it might be necessary to use a text which complements the lines of the signature.
- What colours should you use? So, you’ve got the text worked out. Now, in my opinion, this is the easiest part of the text process. The colour of your text should fit in with the focal point of the signature, simply click the colour tool and use the dropper tool to pick the colour right off the signature. I suggest playing around with a few shades of one colour; a small change can make a massive difference.
Getting fonts is quite simple and there are numerous websites available for you to download them from. I’d suggest:
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dafont.com
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ReFont.com - Free Font, Fonts,Photoshop font tool,Designer,Webmaster font,all font, Glitter text,!
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1001 Free Fonts - Download Free Fonts for Windows and Macintosh
It is also possible to buy fonts from
Adobe. But as I said, these cost money. Most fonts you will ever need should be on one of the free sites above.
Installing texts, this is a fast process and I suggest downloading several at a time and moving them all into the correct folder. The following link supplies methods for all platforms, so there should be no worries installing fonts.
FAQ | dafont.com
Credits
JasperVD for supplying the photos
