Preparation:
Download and
install the shader presets. Choose an appropriate font, or download
the zip file.
This tutorial
requires the use of a fancy script font with wide letters; the
fancier and wider the better. I am using a font called Frankenstein
here. Since I am not sure about the free status of this font, I am
providing a small zip file with one of the letters in path format
included. You can also do this same thing with the letter S from Old
English. Since I am also unsure of the free status of this font, the
letter S from the Old English font is also included in path format.
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This tutorial can produce many
results. After you do the tutorial as written, choose another
letter, use different rotations and combinations. Produce something
uniquely your own! But most of all have fun!  |
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1. Open a new canvas, 300 X 300.
If you are using the downloaded letter, open that and drag it to
your canvas. Skip to step two.
If you are using a font, first
make sure it is open or installed to your windows/fonts folder.
Click on your text tool, and before clicking on the canvas, use the
text panel to select the font you will be using. Also adjust the
size to a fairly high number. Using the Frankenstein font, I am
using size 100.
Click on the canvas, type your capital c (or
whatever letter you chose to use). Click on the pick tool to leave
text edit mode.
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2. Duplicate your letter and flip
it horizontally. Line it up the the right side of your first letter.
Select both, align top and group.
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3. Duplicate the group, and flip
vertically. Arrange this group so that it sits right on top of the
first group. Select both groups, and group again.
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4. Duplicate this group, and
rotate 45 degrees counter clockwise. (Click the transform tool and
under rotate by degree in the attribute bar, type in 45.00. Click
the arrow on the right side to rotate.
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5. Right click and select all.
Center both.
6. Apply a shader preset to the whole thing.
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7. Go to format/ image size (or
dimensions if you are using version 6 or lower). Uncheck keep aspect
ratio, set the width to 1152 pixels and the height to 200 pixels.
Click ok.
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8. Click on the white background.
Go to edit/ fill and fill with a matching shade of the same
color you used for your design.
I used the fantastic machines paint
engine with the faded mosaic preset to create a subtle texture.
Don't forget to check wrap edges and reduce the effect amount to
around .47 to reduce the total end size of your strip.
This tutorial teaches you how to install fantastic machines
properly so that the presets are present.
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Variations: Use different letters
and or arrange the letters in a different way. For instance, with
the open ended letters such as A and M and N, it is better to
arrange the second group at the bottom of the first group rather
than at the top. With some letters, you'll get a prettier effect if
you overlap the letters slightly before grouping them. You can also
apply a different preset to the top group than the bottom. Add some
"gems" made with two circles and the gem presets if you wish.
Another variation is to merge all after filling the canvas with
a background.
Then shift the image vertically half the height of
the strip and paste your gem in the center to create a continuous
background.
With all the different fonts available, and the
26 letters, the results can be very unique and beautiful. Draw on
your own creativity and sense of taste: Make what you like! Have
fun!
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