Neon Border
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| Borders can really help to finish an image but sometimes we need something a little different. |
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| Create two new empty layers by clicking on the 'Create new layer' icon twice. Name the first one Neon 1 and the second (top) layer Neon 2. |
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Using the Marquee tool we can start to add our neon tubes. Click on the top, drag out slightly then pull down the image. Make sure you click on the 'add to selection' button as shown below or hold down the shift key in Photoshop 5 Repeat this to the other side and the top and bottom. |
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| Click on the colour palette on the tool box which will open the Colour Picker palette. You can now select the colours of your choice for the foreground and background colours. Select colours that will work with your image. |
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| Working on our Neon 1 layer call up the Graduation tool from the tool box, making sure that you select 'Foreground to Background' under the options as shown above. Click on the top corner with the Graduation tool and drag it across the image releasing it on the opposite bottom corner. |
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As we want to create a rounded look to our selection click on the 'Add Layer style' icon on the layers palette or Layers menu in Photoshop 5 and call up the Bevel and Emboss palette. From the 'Styles' dropdown menu select Inner Bevel and adjust the size and depth to suit. It's also worth trying some of the settings found under the 'Contour' menu as well as these can really enhance the look. Click on the 'Outer Glow' effect and adjust the setting under Elements heading, try using Precise and setting the spread to around 40% |
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On the layers palette click on the Neon 2 layer (making it live) and from the Select menu choose Modify > Expand and enter a value of around 15. Again from the Select menu choose Feather and enter a value of around 10 pixels. Note .... the value may vary depending on the size of your image so try experimenting. Calling up the Graduation tool drag it across our image as before but this time we get a much softer look. We can now make our neon layer 1 live again by clicking on it. Working on Neon 2 layer from the Blend Modes on the Layers palette select Screen and the Neon effect really comes through. But don't be afraid to try different blend mode options until you find the one that looks good on your image or try reducing the Opacity. |
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| Finally any further adjustment such as Brightness/Contrast and Hue/Saturation can be made using Adjustment layer as shown above. |
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The Finished Neon Border
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