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Jaguar effect part 2

by Colin Smith
www.photoshopcafe.com

This week we will add the texture to the type and give it that “furry feeling” and then
create a reflection to complete our Jaguar effect. Warning, this tutorial is not for the
fainthearted.

Repeat the tutorial in part 1 on how to make the texture. Create 2 copies but with 1
variation: During the motion blur, create one with a left sloping motion and one with a
right sloping one. This will give us the apperance of the texture flowing with the x
shape.

With one of the texture document windows open, use the type mask tool and create an
“x” in a font similar to Times New Roman.
With the selection active, click on the background and press cmd/ctrl+J to copy the
selected texture to a new layer.

Repeat the previous step on the 2nd texture:

Drag the 2nd texture into the document window.

Ctrl/cmd+click on the thumbnail for the X to load the selection.
Click on the 2nd texture layer and press Ctrl/cmd+J to make a copy of it too.
Hide the texture layers. You should now have the 2 type layers stacked on top of each
other like shown in the screen shot.

Create a layer mask on the top x layer. (layer 4)

Select a large soft brush with black as the foreground color. Paint onto the x and you
will notice that the black brush will reveal the bottom x layer.
Paint until you have the 2 textures running with the X. (Tip: if you make a mistake,
paint with white to restore the top image)

Here is what your layers palette will look like.

Link the 2 “X“ layers.

Click “merge linked”

Apply an inner shadow layer effect as shown. I would have used a bevel, but the result
would have looked to0 shiny.

Now to add the random fur.

Choose the smudge tool and select a size of 1 or 2 pixels.

Create a new layer, fill it with white and move it under the X.
Click and drag on the edges to create the fuzzy look. Pay special attention to the
corners as there should be a lot more fuzzy than the sides.
Just for some extra fun, choose a 1 pixel brush and a light yellow color and add a few
furry highlights to the corners .

Reflection time!
Duplicate the x layer.
Press Cmd/Ctrl+T for free transform.
Right click/control+click on the box and choose Flip Vertical for the pop up menu.
Drag the copy under the original x. The tips should be barely touching.

Create a layer mask on the reflected X layer.

Choose the gradient tool. Foreground the background and linear,

Press the D key to reset the colors.

Drag the gradient from just below the x and drag it straight up until you are 1/4 way up
the second x. The gradient will produce the fading effect. You can reapply this gradient
to the layer mask as many times as you need to until you get the desired result.
Phew! Made it. I know this was a lot of steps, but we finally have our Jaguar type. I
promise I will be easier on you next week.

See you at the café www.photoshopcafe.com

Click here for more tutorials by Colin

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