Inner and Outer Bevel Effects Created by: Prof  

In this session we will explore the 3D Effects || BEVELS (both inner and outer bevel). Bevels are added to a selection which give it dimension and a 3D appearance.

The inner bevel will work inside a selection while the outer bevel works on the outside of a selection. Beyond that difference, the options available are the same for both types of Bevels. The best teacher is just to use the Effect. So, let's begin.

Basic Set Up

1. Foreground and Background Colors are not important.

2. New Canvas: 300 x 300 White background, 16 M colors.

NOTE:
Click on the menu Effects || 3D Effects. Notice that many of the options are greyed out. The reason is that when we open up a new canvas with a color rather than transparent, the image is a single layer canvas. Many Effects require that a canvas have a bottom Transparent Layer.

3. In the Layer Palette, Right Click on the layer and select 'Promote to a Layer'.

NOTE:
Now, there is a transparent Layer below the Layer 1 layer. However, you will not actually see it unless you 'clear' the White background from 'layer1'.

Overview

Create a Grey Sandstone Effect

So that we can more easily see the effect, let's create a grey sandstone background. This effect is one we covered last Spring.

1. Effects || Noise || Add with Noise = 100% and Uniform Checked.
2. Use Colors || GreyScale
3. Use Colors || Increase Color Depth || 16 M colors

Now we have a bit of texture in our canvas. With this background our BEVELS will show up better to illustrate this PSP v7 feature.

Using Bevels -- Review

BEVELS work on 'Selections' which may be rectangular, squared, or any shape and text. The INNER BEVEL works on the inside of a selection. The OUTER BEVEL works on the outside of a selection.

Both types of Bevels use the same set of Values to create the outcome. Bevels are used to give a beveled edge to shapes for a 3D effect and often are able to be used to create a 'Frame' around images.

Bevels are often used to create realistic looking wood objects like furniture, molding, tables as well as to give raised effects to text and shapes. Mastering Bevels provides one with a tool that has unlimited possibilities in the enhancement of images.

The best way to become familiar with any 'Effect' initially is to use the PRESETS. These default values provide a basic set of effects from which to more easily learn how various options for the effect create the various images.

EXPLORING THE BEVEL OPTIONS

The 'Frame' Effect

We begin our exploration by using the INNER BEVEL without any drawn selection. When used in this fashion the default selection is actually the edge of the image. Thus, we are able to create some pretty nice 'FRAMES' for images with this Inner Bevel.

Explore the PRESETS

As stated above, the best way to learn how a particular Effect works and is displayed, is to use the PRESETS. View the options and their settings as you explore in this exercise:

1. Use: Effects || 3D Effects || INNER BEVEL
2. On our image, explore the Presets.
3. See how each creates a type of 'Frame'.
4. Quickly notice the options settings.

REVIEW OF OPTIONS

We will review the OPTIONS and explore how their settings effect the outcome.

1. Select the 'PILLOW' Preset. As you go through this exercise, note the default values. You will want to return to them as you explore each setting. The OPTIONS control how the Light Source affects the image in the way the option and combination of options handle shadow and light on the selection.

2. Take each Option and explore its particular options, values and/or settings. (Remember to note the default value and return to it before moving on to the next option.

THE BEVEL OPTIONS

1. BEVEL:
Click on the down arrow to see various possible BEVELS to choose from but stay with the one used in the preset for now.

2. WIDTH:
Notice the preset value is 8: The values however can run from 1 to 31.

Go Ahead now and quickly explore the different bevels and then the different sizes. First though, set 'Smoothness' = 0.

NOTE: When done return to the Top Row, second from right Bevel and Width = 8.

Also, notice how the pillow preset has a similar appearance as the 'Buttonize' effect but with more definition.

THE IMAGE OPTIONS

1. SMOOTHNESS:
Settings are from 0 - 100. This options smooths out the bevel edge.
TIP: Place your cursor on the switch and hold mouse button down. Move it to change the value.
TIP: Put the cursor after the switch and click on the line and you will change the value up by 20.
TIP: Put a value in the box.

2. DEPTH:
Depth controls the darkness/lightness of the shadow effect.
TIP: Another technique is to click on the switch and then use the up or down arrows to change values by 1.

3. AMBIENCE:
Controls the contrast from light (0 - 100) to dark (-0 to - 100) of an image.

4. SHININESS:
Controls shininess on parts of the Beveled edge. Values are from 0 to 100.

NOTE: Default Values
Size: 20
Smoothness: 0
Depth: 2
Ambience: 0
Shininess: 10

LIGHT OPTIONS

1. COLOR:
The Default Value is White. You can change the color of light by clicking on the box and you will get the color wheel. Just select any color you want to test it out.

(Wow, we just experimented with COLORIZE).

2. ANGLE:
The Default Value is 315 which is light coming from the upper left corner of your image or from about 10:30 o'clock. Change its value. And, notice how you can get light source from any angle.

TIP: Click on the clock hand, hold mouse button done, drag it to other values, or change the value in the box from 0 to 360.

3. INTENSITY:
Default value is 50 or Half on (0 to 100)

4. ELEVATION:
The Default value is 30. It's range is 0 - 90. Thus, the light source is just a little more than above the horizon.

NOTE: Default Values:
Color: White.
Angle: 315
Intensity: 50
Elevation: 20

AN ILLUSTRATION

These various options provide you with a multitude of options to create a multitude of bevels. Often, using the Inner Bevel in this fashion, one can create a variety of neat FRAMES.

As you first play with the PRESETS, notice the preset values. Then at some point, just experiment. Look through the 12 possible Bevels and explore various values for the various options.

Here is one I often use and like. However I often use it on a woodgrain background instead of the sandstone background.

Bevel: Middle Row, third from left
Size: 31
Smoothness: 0
Depth: 3
Ambience: 0
shininess: Around 40
Color: Gold (255, 192, 0)
Angle: 315
Intensity: 50
Elevation: 30

Click on CANCEL

EXPLORING BEVELS WITH SELECTIONS.

In this exercise we will first start with a square or rectangular selection in the middle of the canvas and then apply an INNER BEVEL to just see how it works.

You should be back to the grey scale noise canvas now. If not use [Control+Z] until you return to the original image.

1. Use the Selection Tool and just draw a rectangle somewhere in the middle of the canvas. Positioning is not important other than somewhere in the middle of the canvas and to just to have some space outside of the selection.

2. Then apply an Inner Bevel of your choice and click on OK to set it and deselect [Control+D]

NOTICE: Now you have a type of button effect in the middle of your canvas.

3. Use [Control+Z] to get the selection back

4. Now, select OUTER BEVEL and experiment with the presets and then select a bevel and values you like with this first image. When done, set it and deselect [Control+D].

NOTE: To see the original, click on the EYE and your effect will return to the original. Click on the EYE again to see the Outer Bevel Effect.

NOTE: Note how the bevel is formed on the outside of the selection. Also, note how different bevels will give different frame looks.

Hint: When you combine the inner and out bevels, just make sure the ANGLE is the same for both and best to also have the intensity and elevation the same as well. You can experiment with different colors for different types of effects.

Ok, when done, use [Control+Z] to return to the original image.

USING SHAPES (TEXT) with BEVELS

In this exercise, let's explore using TEXT and Bevels together to get an idea of how shapes handle Bevels.

1. First, lets set the image to a woodgrain effect.

Flood Fill a canvas to a solid white background.

Use: Effects || Textures || Sculpture || Mahogany Preset

Then change these Values:
Smoothness = 0
Depth = 1
Angle = 315
Ambience = 0
Shininess = 0
Color = Rich Gold (255, 180, 0)
Intensity = 60
Elevation = 50

Click on OK for a rich colored mahogany background.

2. Use the TEXT TOOL and click in the center of the image.

Use: ARIAL BLACK or any large font.
Styles: Stroke and Fill any color as color not important
Textures: Null but not important
Kerning and Leading 0
Floating checked
Antialias Checked

TEXT: Use TEXT or a Short text word like nickname.

SIZE: as large as possible. Somewhere between 48 and 72.

HINT: To get 60 (which is the value I used).

Highlight the text first.
Then, highlight the size value and put in 60
Then highlight 60
Then click in the text box outside the highlighted area.
That action should set the size to value = 60.

Then click on OK

You will get a selection around the text. (If you want to position your text, click on the Shift Key and use the Arrow Keys to move the text to where you want it.)

Use: Selections || Save to Alpha Channel
Then use the DELETE key to remove the text color which also removes the selection.

Then, use Selections || Load from Alpha Channel and your text selection without the color will appear.

3. Now, use Effects || 3D Effects || INNER BEVEL

Select a bevel and play with the various options to find a bevel effect you like.

Values I used:
Bevel: Bottom Row, last on right.
Width: 14
Smoothness: 20
Depth: 4
Ambience: 0
Shininess: 60
Color: White
Angle: 315
Intensity: 50
Elevation: 30

4. Next add an OUTER BEVEL.

You may need to reload from Selections || Load from Alpha the selection to get Outer Bevel to work. Then just play with the various values to see the various possible effects.

Values I used:
Bevel: Top Row last on right.
Width: 14
Smoothness: 20
Depth: 23
Ambience: 0
Shininess: 40
No Change in Color, Angle, Intensity or Elevation.

Click on OK

Deselect [Control+D]

How you have a very nice wood carved text on a wood background.

ONE LAST EXAMPLE

We will continue with the same image on which you have added text. This example will illustrate a technique that may be used to create knobs such as those on furniture.

Use the Selection Tool, set it to 'CIRCLE' and draw a small circle about 1/2 inch in diameter somewhere on the canvas, preferentially below your text, but position does not matter. Try to at least center it vertically.

Now, first, use the INNER BEVEL, then the OUTER BEVEL to create a button handle that one might see on a wood drawer.

Inner Bevel Values I used:
Bevel: Bottom Row, third from left.
Width: 25
Smoothness: 100
Depth: 15
Ambience: 0
Shininess: 20
Color, Angle, Intensity, Elevation: No change.

Outer Bevel Values I used:
Bevel: Bottom Row, last on right.
Width: 20
Smoothness: 10
Depth: 6
Ambience: 0
Shininess: 40
No other changes.

Now you have an idea of how to create another type of shape using a selection and the Bevels.

Ok, just have fun and experiment.

Next Week we will cover the Sun Burst Effect.