Photoshop

One of the most powerful yet underused additions to Photoshop in recent years is the Liquify filter. In essence, it allows you to smear and smudge your images around like silly putty, making photo manipulation a breeze. Savvy users know, however, that you can also use the filter's special tools to create convincing abstracts and plasma effects in record-breaking time. Here's how...

Layer effects are very powerful and are used for a vast array of different Photoshop techniques. 'Bevel and emboss' is often considered to be the effect of choice for professional graphic designers, but it also has a tendency to create very harsh contrasts in unskilled hands. The aim of this tutorial is to detail a method for creating smooth cartoon-like bevels for text and interfaces using only layer effects.

Learn how to create realistic cigarettes.

Lets face it, everybody likes jello! Although it tastes utterly bland by itself, you can add some flavourings, pour over a little cream, and be in dessert heaven! The same applies, of course, to Photoshop - just take a mellow colour, add a few layer effects, and bask in the yummy splendidness of your work.

In the real world space is, as they say, the final frontier. In the Photoshop realm, however, warp speed is far easier to attain, and uses little more than a basic knowledge of the default tools and a few filters.

Learn how to create artificial 3D effects.

Create barcodes.

Machines are constantly becoming more powerful, and it is inevitable that one day they will develop intelligence to rival our own. Until then, however, we can merely provide a glimpse into the future with our artwork. The aim of this tutorial is to illustrate how simple it is to create very detailed electrical circuits, using nothing but the default Photoshop filters. If creating sentience was this easy, we'd all be in big trouble...

Create some great segmented rings.

As the saying goes, the beauty is in the detail. Even the most stunning interface can look out of place and unrealistic if its too perfect for its own good. Add a little damage to your interfaces and artwork with this simple technique...

Great shapes for you to learn.

Trendwhore or not, Pixel stretch effects have been enjoying a bit of a renaissance lately. Their ease of use, flexibility, and general funkiness when used properly makes them a useful tool for budding interface and wallpaper designers alike. Best of all, you can create them too in 3 simple steps...

Inset lines are a remarkably versatile and simple effect used by many designers to create detail in their interfaces, separate content, highlight focal points, etc.

Artificial metal effects are, without a doubt, extremely popular amongst all Photoshop users. Its not hard to work out why, of course, because the spectacular results often speak for themselves.

Whether you are showing off a virtual product or just want to demonstrate your commercial design flair, a 3D box can always add a little something special.