How can I create this spiral shadow effect?

[sophia777]

Hi Everyone!

I think I had posted this in the wrong place!

Anyhow, can someone tell me how I can create the "spiral shadow" effect like the one in the blue button below?

Many thanks in advance.

I am a newbie at using photoshop and Im using an old version CS2.

 

[iDad]

"spiral shadow" ? Are you sure your'e asking that right?

 

[sophia777]

probably not...

in the blue button with the email icon, there is what I can describe as a wave in the middle which is producing 2 pin lights.

I am probably not describing it right...I am new to photoshop, thats why I attached the image in the hope that someone will be able to see the visual and get what I am trying to say.

 

[Steve]

Select the light blue as your foreground color and the dark blue as your background color.
Create your circle and fill it with the light blue.

Use the pen tool and create the half circle on the bottom and the wave through the middle.
Make sure the tool is set to paths not shape layers.

When you complete the close the path press Ctrl+Enter to create a selection.
Use the Gradient tool set to Foreground to Background and drag it from the bottom up inside your selection
You'll need to experiment until it looks right to you.



That should get you started.

 

[hawkeye]

Pretty much as suggested by Steve, only I used a gradient to fill the circle. Then on a new layer, a large soft brush on the pen tool selected area and clipped to the layer below.

 

[sophia777]

THANK you both! It worked- however, my curved line is not smooth, should I be using a tablet?

 

[Steve]

Your welcome Sophia.

Everything is easier and more precise with a tablet. but you probably just need more practice with the pen tool.
I actually just started learning how to use the tool by reading some of Hawkeye's post and threads.

You should stop by more often, there's a lot of good information, tips and help here at PSG.
Steve

 

[rasoN]

i would buy it but i dont have money for it

 

[f5designstudio]

use masks and fx menu