Adobe Fireworks is a very versatile graphics program when working with text and vector art. In this tutorial we will be working with both text and vector graphics in order to give regular text a glassy look. This is a beginner’s level tutorial that will allow anyone to create professional looking text.
What you will need
- A Windows computer or Macintosh computer (this guide has been written with both in mind)
- A copy of Fireworks 8 or higher
Instructions
- Go to File -> New to create a new document with dimensions of 800 x 300.
- Using the text tool, create a new text box and type in text (in this example we will be using ZeroJB).
- With the text box selected, pick a good font (preferably a thick font) and text size in the properties window.
- With the text selected, go to Edit -> Copy and then Edit -> Paste. This should create two copies of the text box, one right on top of the other. This can be seen in the ‘Layers’ panel on the right side of the screen.
- Hide the bottom text layer by clicking the eye symbol in the ‘Layers’ panel.
- With the visible text layer selected go to Text -> Convert To Paths in the top drop down menu.
- Next go to Modify -> Ungroup in order to break each letter into their own vectors.
- Select all of the letters then go to Modify -> Combine Paths -> Join. This will connect all of the vector letters.
- Select the pen tool.
- Go across the text creating waving lines across the top of the text and complete the figure around by going around the bottom of the text (see image for example).
- With the shape selected fill in it in via the Properties panel with a solid color.
- Select the vector text and shape by holding down the [Shift] key and clicking on both items.
- With both selected, go to Modify -> Combine Paths -> Punch.
- With the vector text selected, go to the Properties panel and click on Solid -> Gradient -> Linear.
- Select the vector word and manipulate the vertical line in the center of the item, this controls the direction of the gradient, until it looks like the example (you can also change the colors of the gradient if you would like, but sticking with white and the base color are suggested).
- Now turn the text box back on in the ‘Layers’ panel.
- Now select the vector text and press the [up arrow] twice in order to give the image depth.
- Congratulations, your glass text effect is now complete.
Tips and Tricks
- Play around with the colors in order to come up it different looks
- Take your time, if you mess up you can easily undo your mistake by going to Edit -> Undo ( or [Ctrl + Z] on Windows or [Command + Z] on a Mac)
- Play around with the opacity within the color selector in the Properties panel, it can sometimes help the two layers merge better.
Wed, 11/05/2008 - 14:35 Hello
when i have time i will do this tutorial and make a sweet background for the service bureau...