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how to reproduce the "carved in" text style as in Window title bar in Mac OS

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Zhang Weiwu
2009-12-13 14:46:56 UTC (about 15 years ago)

how to reproduce the "carved in" text style as in Window title bar in Mac OS

Hello. How can I reproduce the carved text effect as used on window title bars in Mac OS X? Here is a screenshot of Mac OS X in use: http://blandname.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/mac-os-x-1047-server-screenshot.png

Please notice the text "string", which looks a bit carved in.

I could use drop-shadow (make text layer, make path out of it, make selection out of the path, cut the selection to alpha transparency, add drop-shadow) but it just doesn't look like what is is in Mac OS X, not as beautiful. I also tried to use script-fu "layer effects" where there is an innerShadow tool. Doesn't produce nearly perfect image as Mac OS X does. Or did I just miss the right parameter to do so?

Thanks.

bobdobbs
2009-12-14 00:41:12 UTC (about 15 years ago)
postings
31

how to reproduce the "carved in" text style as in Window title bar in Mac OS

I've been playing with this over the last few days. Here are my thoughts on the subject:

I think some designers call this the "letterpress effect". There are different ways to do it. It takes a while to find the right way.

For the particular effect on the image you link to, I might try this:

Create text, create drop shadow in contrasting colour. Blur radius set to zero, offsets set to 1px.
Play with blending modes of text level.

With the above process, I created this: http://www.filefactory.com/file/a103552/n/demo.xcf

Here are things to consider when doing this: 1)Consider the colour contrasts of your text, surface and lighting.

2)The width of your font will effect how you will want to create the letterpress illusion.

3) You will have to experiment to get it right. Play with blending modes.

4) Look very closely at the examples you want to emulate.

I don't know about anyone else, but I found that getting this effect right to be not as easy as I thought it would be.

There are some good photoshop tutorials that can be followed with gimp:

http://line25.com/articles/web-design-trend-showcase-letterpress-text-effect

Zhang Weiwu
2009-12-14 07:16:10 UTC (about 15 years ago)

how to reproduce the "carved in" text style as in Window title bar in Mac OS

bob wrote:

I've been playing with this over the last few days.

Hi. Thank you very much for the detail explanation. What I overlooked is to try blending mode. I played various setting for drop-shadow but not get even close to the good image I got by using blending mode like Overlay and "Soft Light".

Best.