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| If you've found an error in this tutorial (or elsewhere on the site) or you feel that something's not quite right with it, I'd like to know so I can address it. Send me the details. When writing, please include the tutorial name and where you believe the error lies. Thanks. |
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| In Print |
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| Illustrator CS Most Wanted Techniques And Effects |
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| The Swanky Text FX tutorial, along with many others, are featured in the new book from Friends of Ed "Illustrator CS Most Wanted: Techniques and Effects". Written by Matt Kloskowski and technical edited by Michael Hamm of ergodraw.com, you'll find a ton of useful tips, information and techniques to bring your work in Illustrator to the next level. |
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07 | Outlines and Drop Shadows
Once again, unlock and select the BASE layer - because it's just so darn popular - and, yes, duplicate it again using the Layers palette option menu Duplicate command. Move this layer below the BASE layer. Lock the BASE layer and name the new layer OUTLINES. In the new layer, select the type object and fill it with yet another shade of blue (R:51 G:153 B:204).
Press Shift + X to swap the fill and stroke colors in the toolbox. The fill should have no color information while the stroke acquires the blue color (from the fill). If there is a fill color, set it to none. Only the stroke should have a color.
Increase the weight of the stroke by entering a value of 15pt in the Weight box of the Stroke palette (Window > Stroke). Feel free to customize this number to suit your needs.
Apply a drop shadow to this stroke object by choosing Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Adjust the settings and values to those shown in the image below.
08 | Apply Gradient Fill and Outer Glow
Read on gentle reader, this bag of tricks isn't empty yet. We are about to put the finishing touches on this text effect.
Lock the OUTLINES layer and unlock the BASE layer.
Select the type object on this layer and apply a linear gradient fill using the settings below. This will add a bit of "drama lighting" to the lower half of the text object.
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Note: If your text has descenders, such as the letters g, j, p, q, or y, you'll most likely have to customize the gradient to accommodate for this. |
The final step of this final step is to add a dark glow to the type object to give it a bit of dimension and set if off from the stroke object on the OUTLINES layer below.
With the type object on the BASE layer still selected, choose Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Use the settings and values shown below
Remove your hands from the mouse and keyboard, stand up, inhale and scream "Yippee!" as your efforts have borne fruit. And such glossy fruit it is!
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Each typeface is different so feel free to adjust any settings or values throughout the tutorial to suit your creative needs.
