Chrome Effect
Photoshop Tutorial

by Colin Smith

1

Create your type layer, or import your shape that you want to turn into shiny chrome Render type: right click/mac Cmd click the name on the layer and select "render type". This converts your text to an object, so you can apply all the filters to it.

2

select a dark gray for your foreground color and a light gray for your background.

3

Select the gradient tool (Linear, fore to background) and drag from the top to the bottom of the image. Tip: Hold down the shift key to constrain to 90 degrees.

 

 

4

Add a bevel to the type using the Layer style - Bevel and emboss. Your type should look like this now.

Fig. 1

 

 

 

 

5

Now we want to remove the layer style, but we want to keep the bevel (Merge the effect into the layer).

We do this by adding a new layer and dragging it directly underneath the layer with the effect ("Chrome" layer). See fig. 1.

Now select the "Chrome" layer thumbnail and press Cmd/Ctrl+E This merges the selected layer with the one directly under it and "renders all effects" See fig. 2

 

 

6

Apply the plastic wrap filter. This is found under Effects>Artistic

 

 

7

Making the Chrome
This is where it all happens: Open Image>Adjust>Curves Cmd/Ctrl+M and make a curve like the one in the example.

Or you can click here to upload the curve if you wish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

Click ok.

The image shows the results of the curve applied to the image.

9

Repeat the same settings, by holding down the Alt/Option key as you open the dialog box Image>Adjust>Curves or Option+Cmd/Alt+Ctrl+M

The result as shown here

If you want, Colorize the image with the hue/saturation.

This is how it looks after applying a black background color.

NOTE: In Photoshop CS and CS2 you can make chrome by choosing the double ring setting in the Layers Styles (Bevel -Gloss Contour)

For more cool techniques like this on an easy to follow video format check out Photoshop Secrets Special FX photoshopCD.com