SCALES

S C A L E S

This tut was written on April 20, 2011.
It is written using PSPX; I'm sure the same effects are available in other versions.

SUPPLIES
A tube.
I'm using the work of Keith Garvey.
You may purchase a license to use this work at PTE.

The following filters:
RCS Filter Pak 1.0 - Window ShadesII
Eye Candy 5: Textures - Reptile Skin

Font of choice (I'm using "Kato")

Let's begin!

Choose a light color from your tube and a darker shade of the same color for your background.

Open a new image, 600 wide x 125 high.

Fill with your lighter color.

Image - Canvas Size to 600x250, click on the top center button.
(so that the blank space is at the bottom)

Add a new raster layer, fill with the darker color.

Layers - Arrange - Send to bottom.
Layers - Merge - Merge Visible.

RCS Filter Pak 1.0 - Window ShadesII using the default setting.

Effects - Image Effects - Seamless Tiling using the following setting:

Using your magic wand, click anywhere on the darker color.

Selections - Modify - Select Color Range using 20, 20, and your darker color in the color box.

DELETE

Effects - 3D Effects - Drop Shadow using 5, 5, 50, 5, black.

Add a new raster layer.

Fill with your darker color.

Eye Candy 5: Textures - Reptile Skin using the following settings:

Layers - Arrange - Send to bottom.

Highlight the top layer, change the opacity to 50, depending on the color you used.

Add your tube, moving into position.

Add a blurry drop shadow (I used Eye Candy 5: Impact - Perspective Shadow with the blurry preset.)

Add a new layer.

Selections - Select All.

Selections - Modify - Select Selection Borders using Both Sides, Border Width 2, Anti-alias unchecked.

Fill the selection with your darker color.

Add your name and all necessary copyright information.

For the avatar:

Duplicate your tag (Shift + D.)

Remove all the layer with the tube.

Crop to 150x150.

Add a new layer.

Add a 2px Selection border, using your dark color.

Add your name (or initial) and all necessary copyright information.

Here is another example, using the work of Elias Chatzoudis: