Can someone tell me how this is achieved?

[heather29926]

Hi.
Wondering if someone can give me some insight on how to achieve the shadowing and "plastic" shiny look of this website:

http://www.westcoastdraft.com

...tired of flat color!!

Thanks,
Heather

 

[blueark]

Have a look at layer styles (Layer > Layer Styles) for starters. Bevels, drop shadows, outer glows are all used in that site. You will need to break different elements into different layers for greater control. You may also need to lock the transparency on certain layers so you can add gradients and paint shadows without affecting other elements. Layer masks may also be used. Good luck!

 

[YNOTU]

You take a nice large graphic and slice it as shown here

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[heather29926]

Thanks for the response..and sorry I didn't respond to your responses sooner. My computer crashed.

Thanks I appreciate the info.
Heather

 

[heather29926]

By the way, how do I break the different elements into different layers when applying these effects to the same object.



Thanks,
Heather

 

[blueark]

You create the elements on different layers to begin with. For example, you could create the overall background, then create a blue rectangle on the left with a drop shadow effect. You might then create another blue shape over that with an embossed effect with, perhaps, another drop shadow. Locking transparency on both those layers, you can add gradients going in opposite directions.

I'm not saying that's exactly how this page was done (I'm a bit busy right now!) but try playing around with these ideas and see what you come up with.

 

[heather29926]

Thanks so much Blueark.
I'll give it a try and see what I come up with...