This is a very simple tutorial that will show you how to use
Photoshop’s Layer Styles, an awesome tip for creating 3D-like shadow,
and a splatter brush, to create a bright Arcade-inspired text effect.
Final Image
Note: Original tutorial published on Photoshopstar.com some years ago. Tutorial was updated and now republished.
Tutorial Details
Program: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (CS3+ versions will work as well)
Create a new 900 × 690 px document, place the “Black-Purple Grunge
texture” image on top of the Background layer, then go to Image >
Adjustments > Desaturate.
Go to Edit > Transform > Rotate 90° CW to make the texture
extend horizontally instead of vertically. Move the texture around if
needed until you like how it looks.
Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels, and change the Gamma value to 0.90 to darken up the texture a little bit.
Step 2
Create the text using the font “Age”, the font Size 182 pt, and the color #b0cc00.
Double click the text layer to apply the following Layer Style: – Stroke
Size : 5
Position : Inside
Color : #b0cc00 (Same text color)
– Inner Shadow
Blend Mode : Normal
Color : #ffffff
Opacity : 90%
Distance : 9
Size : 0
– Gradient Overlay
Blend Mode : Color Dodge
Opacity : 45%
Scale : 150%
This will style the main text.
Step 3
Duplicate the text layer then drag the copy below the original.
Step 4
Go to Edit > Free Transform, the hit the Down Arrow Key Once, and
the Right Arrow Key once, to move the copy text 1 px downwards and 1 px
to the right. Hit Enter/Return to accept the changes.
Press the Alt + Ctrl + Shift + T or Option + Cmd + Shift + T keys a
couple of times to duplicate the layer and the transformation until you
like the depth of the 3D shadow. Here, the layer is duplicated 14 times
to create a total of 15 copy layers.
Step 5
Click the last copy layer, then press and hold the Shift key, and
click the first copy layer to select all the copy layers you created. Go
to Layer > Merge Layers, to merge all the copies in one layer, and
rename it to “3D Shadow”.
Double click the “3D Shadow” layer to apply a Color Overlay effect, using the color #000000.
If you think Black is too dark, you can definitely use any other color you prefer.
Step 6
Duplicate the original text layer, then make it invisible by clicking
the eye icon next to it. Then select the duplicated layer, and go to
Layer > Rasterize > Layer Style.
If you’re using a < CS6 version, then group the duplicated layer
(Layer > Group Layers), then merge the group (Layer > Merge
Group).
Click the “Add vector mask” icon down the Layers panel to add a mask
to the rasterized layer. This will make sure that the changes will not
be applied directly to the layer, so the mask thumbnail should be always
selected before erasing anything.
Pick the Eraser Tool, and choose any of the “Monster Splatter Brush
Set” brushes. Change the brush size to one you like (around 350 – 550
px), make sure that the mask thumbnail is selected, then click around
the letters to erase some parts as shown below.
You can undo any parts you don’t like, try different brushes and sizes, or even use any splatter/grunge brushes of your choice.
And We’re Done!
Hope you enjoyed this really simple tutorial and found it useful. Please feel free to leave your comments below.
Recommended minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista
The following list describes the recommended minimum
hardware requirements for basic functionality of the different editions of
Windows Vista. Actual hardware requirements will vary, depending on system
configuration and on the programs and the features that you install. If you
install Windows Vista over a network, additional hard disk space may be
required.
Windows Vista Home Basic
800-megahertz (MHz)
32-bit (x86) processor or 800-MHz 64-bit (x64) processor
512 megabytes (MB) of
system memory Note On system configurations that use system memory as graphics
memory, at least 448 MB of system memory must be available to the
operating system after some memory is allocated for graphics.
DirectX 9-class
graphics card
32 MB of graphics
memory
20-gigabyte (GB) hard
disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space
Internal or external
DVD drive
Internet access
capability
Audio output
capability
1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)
After configuring the system for booting from a CD/DVD, the Windows Setup
screen appears.
At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with
installation.
2) Progress Bar: (Image 1.2)
The next screen is a more graphical progress bar indicating Windows Vista is
still working in the background.
3) Option Selections: (Image 1.3)
The first options you will come across are selections for Language, Time and
currency format, and Keyboard layout.
Make your selections by using the pull down menus and press the Next
button.
4) Install Now: (Image 1.4)
Here we have the option of repairing a previous installation or
"Install Now."
Highlight the "Install Now" button to continue to the next screen.
5) Please Wait: (Image 1.5)
Windows Vista is working in the background. This may take several minutes
depending on the system.
6) Product Key: (Image 2.1)
This screen is where you enter your product key or "CD Key" as it
is sometimes called.
An option also exists to automatically activate Vista upon first coming
online. I uncheck this box to ensure everything is running smoothly before
activating and having issues later on. 30 days is the standard amount of time
before activation is required, though some products (such as MSDN
subscriptions) have 60 days or more.
After entering your product key, press the Next button.
7) License Agreement: (Image 2.2)
Here we see the License Agreement you must accept before continuing.
After reading the agreement, check the box next to "I accept the
license terms".
8) Option Selections: (Image 2.3)
Here we would be able to choose an "Upgrade" install (if running
setup from a previous version of Windows, such as XP) or a "Custom"
(clean) install.
Select the whole box containing "Custom (advanced)" to continue to
the next screen.
9) Hard Drives: (Image 2.4)
This is where you can select which hard drive/partition to install Vista on.
Since this system only has one hard drive, only one place Vista can go.
Advanced options are shown in the next screen shot.
This is also where you would install drivers for your RAID/ACPI controller
by using the "Load Driver" option. After the installation of the
RAID/ACPI drivers, your hard drives should appear as shown tot he right.
If no additional drivers are needed, select the Next
button.
10) Advanced Options: (Image 2.5)
The advanced options allow creation of multiple partitions and the option of
formatting existing partitions.
After finishing your particular partition configuration that you desire,
select the Next button.
11) Installing...: (Image 3.1)
Here is where Vista installs major components of the OS. This process can
take 10 to 60 minutes depending on the system.
12) Reboot: (Image 3.2)
Here we see the system needing to reboot to continue installation tasks.
You can hit the Restart Now button or just allow the reboot
to happen automatically after several seconds.
13) First Time: (Image 3.3)
Here we see a "..." progress as Vista tries to start for the first
time. This process may take several minutes before going to the next screen.
14) Completing Installation: (Image 3.4)
Vista continues to install at this screen. Depending on system, another
reboot or two may happen before the next screen is displayed.
15) Account Creation: (Image 3.5)
Here is where we create the first user account for the system and select an
icon to be displayed on the login screen. Ensure you password your account.
After finishing entering your information and icon selection, select the Next
button.
16) PC Name: (Image 4.1)
Here is where we can name the system for networking purposes. By default, it
uses the account name entered in the previous step and adds "-PC" to
it. We can also select a background for the desktop.
After making your selection, select the Next button.
17) Updates: (Image 4.2)
Here we can configure Windows Update with several options. I suggest
"Use recommended options" or the top option for most PC users.
18) Time Settings: (Image 4.3)
Here is where you can set the time and daylight savings time options.
After configuring your time zone, clock settings and date, select the Next
button.
19) Network Configuration: (Image 4.4)
Vista now asks our network configuration by asking "Home, Work or
Public Place."
Descriptions are expanded on screen so I will no go into them here.
Make your selection to continue to the next screen.
20) Thanks!: (Image 4.5)
On this screen, we are thanked by Bill G. for installing Windows Vista.
After you are done being thanked, select the Next button.
21) PC Performance: (Image 5.1)
Vista now checks the system performance to automatically configure a few
options. This may take several minutes while the system does this and it will
only do it this one time.
22) Login: (Image 5.2)
We are finally greeted with the login screen, however, there is still more
configuration to come.
Enter in your password that you used previously during the install process
and hit ENTER or the little blue arrow to login.
23) Desktop Setup: (Image 5.3)
Your account profile starts being created here starting with your personal
desktop configuration. More happens on the next screen. This process will also
take several minutes, but only happen once.
24) Account Profile: (Image 5.4)
Vista now sets up profile configurations for Internet Explorer, Windows
Media Player as well as a few more Windows applications. This could take
several more minutes but we are almost there!
25) Welcome Screen: (Image 5.5)
Vista is installed!
On this screen, we are presented with our system configuration as well as
several different options.
I hope you enjoyed this install guide and I thank you for reading!
Here's What You Need to Use Windows XP Professional
•PC with 300 megahertz or
higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required (single or
dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron
family, or compatible processor recommended
•128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or
higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some
features)
•1.5 gigabytes (GB) of
available hard disk space*
•Super VGA (800 x 600) or
higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
•CD-ROM or DVD drive
•Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse
or compatible pointing device
Start the computer from the Bootable CD of Windows XP.
1)Shall we begin?
After configuring the system for booting from a CD, the
Windows Setup screen appears. At this point, Setup is loading the driver files
it needs to continue with installation.
2) Welcome to Setup:
The "Welcome to Setup" screen appears with the
option of Continuing Setup, Repair a previous installation, Quitting. Press ENTER to Continue Setup. You may
also choose R to Repair or F3 to Quit and reboot the system.
3) Windows XP Licensing Agreement:
The "Windows XP Licensing Agreement" screen, otherwise
known as "EULA," displays the legal in's and out's of this particular
software package. You may press F8
to signify that you agree with the terms, hit ESC if you do not agree and PAGE UP or PAGE
DOWN to scroll through each screen. Note: If you do not agree to the
terms, setup will quit and reboot the system.
4) Insert the previous
version
As this is an Upgrade, a previous qualifying product
is required to be inserted in the CD drive to continue. Even though Microsoft
states that "Windows 95" cannot be upgraded to XP Home, the CD is
good enough for a clean install. At this point, the options include pressing ENTER to Continue or F3 to Quit and reboot the system.
5) Hard drive partition information:
Hard drive partition information is now displayed. This
varies with each systems hardware configuration. This example already has a
partition defined. I will choose not to use this and create a new one by
pressing D. You may skip
this and the next few steps if you do not have any partitions defined. At this
point, the options include pressing ENTER
to Install on the selectedpartition, D
to Delete the selected partition, or F3
to Quit and reboot the system.
6) Warning screen:
After pressing D
to delete the selected partition, a warning screen appears explaining the
pitfalls of deleting it. This particular screen only appears when the partition
selected to be deleted is formatted as a bootable system partition. Other
partitions will display the next screen. I want this to happen, so I press ENTER to continue. The options
include pressing ENTER to
continue, or ESC to Cancel.
7) Confirmation screen:
A confirmation screen that displays the logical drive, what
file system the partition is currently using, the size in MB and controller
information. Options include L
to Delete the partition and ESC
to Cancel the action.
8) No partitions have been previously defined:
If no partitions have been previously defined, this screen
will be displayed. You may section your hard drive in as many partitions as you
wish by selecting C to
Create a Partition and then entering in a value less then the total available.
Here, I will Create a Partition in the highlighted, unused portion. Select the
partition you wish to install to using the UP
arrow and DOWN ARROW
keys. Press ENTER to use
the highlighted partition and Install, C
to Create a Partition, or F3
to Quit and reboot the system.
9) Enter in the partition size:
Enter in the partition size in MB within the displayed
minimum and maximum. I chose the default or maximum available here. You may
choose ENTER to Create the
new partition or ESC to
Cancel the action.
10) Continue to create partitions:
Continue to create partitions until all space is used or the
configuration meets your requirements. Note: a small portion will be
unavailable to partition. This is normal. In this example, it is 2 MB. I chose
drive C: or Partition1 to install the Operating SystemYou may choose ENTER to Install to the selected partition,
D to Delete the highlighted
Partition, or F3 to Quit
and reboot the system.
11) Format the partition:
Since this OS supports NTFS, format the partition with it.
If you do not, many folder and file security features will be unavailable.
Note: If you are dual booting your system, a previous OS will not be able to
read the local information. This is a fact with Windows 9x and Me. If you have
a requirement to view this partition from another OS installed on the system,
do not format it as NTFS. Also, the boot partition must be formatted with FAT32
if you wish to dual boot. I have found no problems accessing a NTFS partition
mapped as a network drive from an older OS. Select what format you wish to use
by pressing the UP ARROW
and DOWN ARROW keys. Press ENTER to confirm your selection and
Continue or ESC to Cancel
12) Setup formats the partition:
Watch the progress bar as Setup formats the partition, or
get up and get a soda. It may take awhile.
13) Creating File List:
Setup is now figuring out what files to copy over to the
hard drive.
14) Setup copies various
files:
After the partition is finished formatting, Setup copies
various files to support booting from the hard drive and continue on.
15) Creates various
information files:
Setup then creates various information files required to
continue on with setup.
16) Press ENTER to Restart:
The first reboot and the end of the blue background has
arrived. If you are impatient, press ENTER
to Restart before the 15 seconds expire. ENTER
to Restart the Computer is the only option available.
17) Windows XP boot screen:
The new Windows XP boot screen is displayed. Now you need to
boot from hard disk drive not from your cd as we have done previously.
18) Windows XP Installation:
If you have installed Windows
before, this type of screen will look familiar.
Sit back. It may be awhile.
19) Faster and more reliable:
Every Windows OS that comes out has the same claim. Faster
and better. It is subject to debate whether or not it could get "any
worse."
20) Region and Input Languages:
A little while later, you will be prompted with options
of configuring your Region and Input Languages. The default was fine for me, so
I selected Next.
Options include Customize button, Details
Button, plus the standard Back and Next.
21) Enter in your Name:
Enter in your Name and optional Organization information,
and then select the Next button.
22) 25 digit Product Key:
Thought you could get away from it? Think again Enter your
unique 25 digit Product Key that came with your CD, then select the Next
button.
23) Enter a Computer name:
The "suggested" name for the computer is always
really whacked out. Choose one that meets your needs.
24) Date, Time and Time Zone:
Configure the proper information for the Date, Time and Time
Zone here.
25) Network Settings Dialog:
The Network Settings Dialog is next. Under usual
circumstances, the Typical settings are fine. Choose your method and
select the Next button
26) Display Settings Pop-up: Windows XP no
longer likes the "default" resolution of 640 x 480 and prompts you of
that fact. Select OK to continue.
27) Please wait:
800 x 600 is a wonderful thing; however, I chose to have it
time out and return to 640 x 480 for this guide.
28) The Welcome Screen:
The "Welcome Screen" will now appear while
Windows XP Hod in the background.
29) Display Settings Pop-up:
A balloon dialog appears
30) Windows XP tour: Click the balloon dialog to start a tour of
Windows XP. Even if you do not wish to see the information, you should click on
the balloon to get rid of the annoyance in a timely fashion.
1) Windows XP Tour dialog: Windows
XP Tour dialog popup is shown. Select the Cancel button to never see it
again.
32) Activate:
A little reminder also appears in the task bar about
activating.
33) That is all!
That's all there is to it! I hope this guide helped you out
or gave you a sneak peek at what is to come. More information about Windows XP is
located HERE
1) Windows XP Tour dialog: Windows
XP Tour dialog popup is shown. Select the Cancel button to never see it
again.
