clear glass shape

[lindaw]

Ok in making a header for a webpage I found the need to make a shape that looks like glass. I need the shape to show up but to be clear so you can see the color behind it like you have a piece of crystal on the header. Any ideas? Reducing the opt doesn't quite get it. maybe I need to find a glass tute and apply that?

Thanks!

 

[Stroker]

Several things immediately come to mind:
1. Specular highlights. You know, sharp hightlights that come from the direct reflection of light sources.
2. Refraction or distortion of what's behind the glass. You said colour, so I don't think this applies.
3. Shadow and caustics. Glass does cast a shadow, but refraction distorts it. If you have a glass vase, the shadow might be convoluted and be lighter or darker in some places.

Wish I could be of more help, but I'm on the run right now.

 

[Welles]

Hi Lindaw,

One possibility that's one of my little tricks is to duplicate the layer and apply the enclosed layer style. Note that it will need tweaking for each individual circumstance. Things to try right off are Layer > Layer Style > Scale Effects... Then you might want to eliminate the Satin setting or change to another contour. Changing the opacity of highlights will reveal more of the layer underneath. Note that in the .asl file I'm enclosing (I've got a dozen or more which are subtly different) there is a tiny bit of Drop Shadow, I think 5%. You might want to eliminate that altogether or increase it so it's really visible.

Note the main issue in creating glassy overlay layer style effects is that the Layer's Fill is set to 0%.

Cheers!

 

[Squeeze]

Try Marks tut

http://photoshopgurus.info/intermediate/glass-buttons/real_glass_buttons.shtml

 

[theKeeper]

Good help everyone.

There's this tute also: http://photoshopgurus.info/intermediate/classy-glass_buttons/classy-glass_buttons.shtml

 

[stickdiesel]

Yep, keepers glass button tutes are a great scource for developing highlights and such, you just need to think about it more when changing shapes, which is good.

 

[lindaw]

Sorry for the delay in responding. Been quite busy. Thanks for all the info. Going to digest it and see what I can come up with. :} 8}