This video shows how the Americano is made. This is the first of a series of videos named “From the Eye of the iPhone”.

Here we go…

Step 1: Create the text title layer

Step 2: Create a copy of the text title layer, rename the layer “reflection”, and shift it down below the text title.

Step 3: Invert the reflection layer – click-activate the layer then (Image Menu, Rotate, Flip Layer Vertical)

Step 4: Simplify the reflection layer text  - click on reflection layer then (Layer Menu, Simply Layer)

Step 5: Command click (Mac) or control click (PC) the reflection layer icon in the layer panel to outline the simplified reflection text. You will see the text become outlined with a dashed line.

Step 6: Set gradient color for reflection layer. Choose your foreground color as the same color as your title text layer and your background color.

Step 7: Choose gradient type – foreground to  background gradient selection.

Step 8: Apply gradient – clicking on the top edge of reflection layer, draw a gradient direction line about half way down the width of the text (vertically)

Step 9: Set transparency of the reflection layer – click on reflection layer and slide the transparency to 50%

Step 10: Create curved, glossy surface effect – using the ellipse tool, draw a white ellipse that is about half the height of the title text and slightly longer than the title text. Name this layer ” text gloss”.

Step 11: Create transparency for the curved, glossy surface effect – click on the text gloss layer and slide the transparency to about 50%.

Step 12: Export a .png image of your new Web 2.o title for use in your blog or webpage. THE END!

If you have any questions about any of the steps, drop me a comment to this blog and I will respond as quickly as possible.  There is also a technique for this effect in Adobe Illustrator. However, more folks seem to be able to afford Adobe Photoshop Elements so I thought I would publish the technique for this package first.

My hope is that you will be able to knock out a Web 2.o style title for yourself in under 30 minutes.  In the event you would like a title like this but do not have the software, give me a shout at mike.askew@mindablaze.com and I can whip one out for you for a reasonable price (less than the cost of a fast food dinner for two). Have fun!

Here are one dozen tips on being civil adapted from George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior”.   This list is mostly a reminder to myself on how to treat people well.  In a world that applauds  an in-your-face-shoot-from-the-hip handling of others, these tips may seem absurd. However, I share these first dozen for your consideration hoping you find them useful.

A Dozen Do-nots –  Civility with Others

1. Do not ramble aimlessly when speaking.  Be short and comprehensive.
   
2. Do not argue with your superior. Submit your ideas to him/her modestly.
3. Do not blame others when they do their best, even if they do not succeed.
4. Do not argue with your superior at the time that they admonish you.
5. Do not make fun of anything important to others.
6. Do not criticize others for a fault that you have not eliminated from your behavior.
7. Do not be in haste to believe bad reports about others.
8. Do not speak about others with malice or envy.
9. Do not speak badly of others who are not present.
10. Do not go where you are not wanted.
11. Do not give unasked-for-advice.
12. Do not be quick  to talk about something if you do not know it is true.

More in the Dozen Do-Nots Series:

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Wrestling With Your Kids
Mountain Biking Ride Preparation