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pscates · Aug 27, 2001, 09:29 PM

Okay, I think I've got a pretty easy and effective method to create buttons like these below, using Adobe Illustrator NOT Photoshop

Click here to see the step-by-step guide:

Illustrator Aqua button tutorial

Let me know what you think. Any suggestions, improvements, alternate takes, etc. I'm currently working out the final kinks of how to do Aqua-looking type in Illustrator (a la the big blue "X" for Mac OS X).

King Chung Huang · Aug 27, 2001, 11:02 PM

Wonderful! I've been looking for something just like this in a vector-based app! Thanks so much pscates!

ARENA · Aug 27, 2001, 11:17 PM

Nice tutorial pscates!
Don�t you have a similar one for Photoshop? I need one, that can teach me how to apply the Aqua effect to any shape in PS.

ARENA · Aug 27, 2001, 11:30 PM

pressing 'back' in IE caused me to double post, about 15 minutes after the original post...weird.

[ 08-27-2001: Message edited by: ARENA ]

pscates · Aug 28, 2001, 12:12 AM

Hey Arena -

Thanks for the compliment. As a certified, unrepentant vector-head, I don't get too much into Photoshop, to be honest. I'll use it once in a blue moon...if I absolutely have to.

Check out MacDesign Online in the Photoshopsection for some possible Scott Kelby-created tips on doing Aqua-looking stuff using Photoshop.

I'm just on a mission to prove that Photoshop ain't the only kid on the block when it comes to cool graphics software

alphamatrix · Aug 28, 2001, 12:42 AM

Thats nice, I get my aqua from Interface Builder in X and take a screen shot. Then i scale it in photoshop. for a example look a at this from my site:

ARENA · Aug 28, 2001, 10:52 AM

Thanks pscates, i�ll check Mac Design Online.

Alphamatrix, your idea is good. I also use it for making buttons, but it is no good for aplying the Aqua effect to other shapes and objects, that�s what i am looking for.

alphamatrix · Aug 28, 2001, 02:12 PM

Yep, i'd like to make aqua-fid text like the X on the Mac OS X box. Now all I need is Adobe Illustrator

.

Demonhood · Aug 28, 2001, 06:18 PM

that's cool. been meaning to brush up on my illustrator use for a longe time. finally have an excuse.

oh, for another photoshop tutorial on the subject, check out phong. he does good work.

alphamatrix · Aug 29, 2001, 05:23 PM

Mwahahaha. . . . I'm sorta tired off that yellow and green-ish blue:

Brought to you by The AlphaMatrix.

itomato · Aug 29, 2001, 11:31 PM

There's a quick and easy 5 text effects method you can use in Photoshop to appoximate Aqua text, I'll see if I can dig it up.. Off-topic, but on topic, too..

Synotic · Aug 30, 2001, 04:02 AM

Originally posted by alphamatrix:
Thats nice, I get my aqua from Interface Builder in X and take a screen shot. Then i scale it in photoshop. for a example look a at this from my site:

Hrrmrm... it looks like the shadows got off pretty bad there.. on the buttons. If you wish I can send you over a PSD file of the aqua buttons with their alphas in them so that it will adapt to any background...

alphamatrix · Aug 30, 2001, 03:19 PM

Sure Synotic that would be good. alphamatrix at mac.com

- - e r i k - - · Aug 31, 2001, 04:06 AM

Originally posted by alphamatrix:
Thats nice, I get my aqua from Interface Builder in X and take a screen shot. Then i scale it in photoshop. for a example look a at this from my site:

Oh yeah, and you might concider turning anti-aliasing off if you are going to use pixelated fonts

pscates · Aug 31, 2001, 12:25 PM

Here you go, alphamatrix...a nice update of the MacNN thing above. If you're gonna do the aqua type, then go all the way: horizontal lines, shadow, realistic OS X-esque icon (magnifying glass), etc.

alphamatrix · Sep 1, 2001, 12:30 AM

ARENA · Sep 1, 2001, 12:57 AM

Hrrmrm... it looks like the shadows got off pretty bad there.. on the buttons. If you wish I can send you over a PSD file of the aqua buttons with their alphas in them so that it will adapt to any background...

Synotic, I�ll apreciate if you can send it to me too. arena@vtr.net

thanks.

cmcleod design · Sep 3, 2001, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by pscates:
Here you go, alphamatrix...a nice update of the MacNN thing above. If you're gonna do the aqua type, then go all the way: horizontal lines, shadow, realistic OS X-esque icon (magnifying glass), etc.

niiiiice

Synotic · Sep 3, 2001, 03:31 PM

I'll send the files later today...

ARENA · Sep 18, 2001, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by Synotic:
I'll send the files later today...

I never received it.

alphamatrix · Sep 20, 2001, 10:30 PM

I think he forgot!

adamescobar · Sep 28, 2005, 05:42 PM

Hi there I am a student at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle Washington. I want to learn how to make the aqua buttons in illustrator but every time I click on that link it sends me to another web site. Is there another way to download the tutorail?
--adam e.

loki74 · Oct 1, 2005, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by ARENA

Nice tutorial pscates!
Don�t you have a similar one for Photoshop? I need one, that can teach me how to apply the Aqua effect to any shape in PS.

I dont mean to divert attention to myself, but i did throw together a short explaination of doing this in Photoshop a while back here on the 'NN. Not really a tutorial, just a quick psd.. I could explain it again and send you psd if you want.

pscates--I cant get to your site! the link keeps bringing me to those "home.net is for sale!" thingies..its what adamescobar is talking about i think

himself · Oct 1, 2005, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by loki74

pscates--I cant get to your site! the link keeps bringing me to those "home.net is for sale!" thingies..its what adamescobar is talking about i think

pscates hasn't been around since october of 2003...

loki74 · Oct 1, 2005, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by himself

pscates hasn't been around since october of 2003...

*slaps forehead* holy crap i didnt even notice that it was a dead thread!

...aaadam--next time you ought to start a new thread!!