ESSENTIAL TRICKS
5
Warp the text
Double click the text layer thumbnail in the Layers panel to select
it. Click the Create warped text icon in the Tool Options. Set
the Style menu to Arc. Tick the Horizontal box. The default setting is
too strong, so reduce the Bend slider to 28% to gently curve the text.
You can experiment with a wide range of preset warp styles in future
projects. Click OK to warp your text.7
Add a bevel
To give your 2D text a raised 3D look, set the menu to Bevels.
Experiment by dragging a preset bevel effect onto the text in
your design. We went for the Simple Sharp Inner bevel because this
worked well with our drop shadow style. Go back to the Layers panel.
The text is vector based so we can still edit it, despite all the Layer
Styles and warp effects.6
Add a Layer Style
Click the tick to apply the transformation. Drag inside the text
box to bring the warped text closer to the hut. To give your text
more impact click the fx icon at the bottom right of the workspace.
Click the Styles panel and set the menu to Drop Shadows. If you hover
over a drop shadow you’ll see a little label. Drag the Low drop shadow
onto the text to add the Layer Style.8
Save it
You can save your creative postcard project and preserve its
Layer Styles and warp effects. This enables you to fine-tune
any of its attributes at a later date (and even change the text). Go to
File>Save. Set Format to Photoshop to preserve the layers. Tick layers
and Include in the Elements Organizer. Click Save. This will save the
layered version alongside the original image in a Version Set.