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Reflective text in Photoshop

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Reflective text in Photoshop

The 'Web 2.0' movement has given us many things good and bad, one of the most recognisable features of this movement, however, is the Web 2.0 Reflective Logo.

Text, sometimes with a symbol, that looks as though it is standing on a reflective surface. This can be extremely effective and is very simple to implement. Using Adobe Photoshop CS3, I will guide you through this simple process in easy steps.

Create a new document. For this example I will use a white background and the document will be 300pixels wide by 120 pixels high.
Next add some text to the canvas. The text below is black and using the 'Tahoma' font. The font size is set at 50. Double-click on the layer name in the layers palette and rename that layer 'Text'.
Next we need to duplicate the layer. In the layers palette, right-click the text layer and select 'Duplicate Layer'. Name this layer 'Text Reflection' and select 'OK'.
Make sure the 'Text Reflection' layer is selected in the layers window and go Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical. Then using you cursor keys, move the transformed layer down until it is not quite touching the original 'Text' layer.
The next step is to add a layer mask to our 'Reflection Text' layer. While the layer is selected, click the 'Add layer mask' button which can be found at the bottom of the Layers palette.
Now we will prepare the gradient for the text. Select the gradient tool from the main toolbar and then select the black to white gradient.
Now we will apply the gradient. With the layer mask applied, we will click and drag from the bottom of the text to the top then release. You should be left with a gradual gradient like in the second image:
Next we need to reduce the opacity of the 'Text Reflection' layer. I have found that an opacity of 10% - 30% works best for this but have a play around and see what results you get. You should end up with something like this:
All that is left to do is add some perspective. Select the 'Background' layer and make a selection using the 'Rectangular Marquee Tool'. You will want to select from just above the bottom of the original 'Reflection' Text to the top of the canvas, as in the second picture.
Next we will apply a subtle gradient but for this will need to create a custom gradient. Select the gradient tool like you did before. Now instead of selecting the arrow for the 'Preset gradient' drop down box, click the gradient itself. This will bring up the gradient editor. You can change the colours by selecting the 'Colour Stop' tabs which can be found on the underside of the current gradient display. For this example we are going to go from #DDDDDD (light grey) to #FFFFFF (white)
.
Apply this gradient by dragging from the bottom of the selection area to the top. Your finished reflective text should look like the example Below.
The exact same technique can be used to create different coloured examples. The only things you would change are the text and background colours and the colours used in the 'Perspective' gradient. Play around with the opacity and the positioning until you get the results you want. Some examples can be found below.