Abstract geometric text – tutorial

Abstract geometric text – CS6 tutorialIn this abstract geometric tutorial we are going to use simple geometric shapes as the triangle to crte unique, origami looking text designs. This is a tutorial for beginners that tch you how to crte cool effects. But be aware that you need to have some basics, such as crting a new layer, making selections and working with some tools such as the move tool, working with gradients in and so on in order to complete this tutorial. I’m using cs6 but you can follow with any version. This tutorial will show you how you can use geometric forms to crte nice designs and cool effects. Later you can use this simple technique to crte more advanced shapes and designs. So lets get started.


STEP 1 – Crte the geometric shapes

As i said we are using , but you can use other software if you prefer to. First thing you are going to do is crte a new file. Press CTRL + N to crte a new document. Set the Width to be 1920px and the Height to be 1080px, Resolution to be 300px per inch, color mode to be RGB and click OK. Now you have crted a new document.So now lets crte the base triangles. There are going to be 3 different triangles in dimension. In the below you can see the triangles and their dimensions. Make sure you crte every triangle on a separate layer. Name the layers Triangle 1, Triangle 2 and Triangle 3. Fill ch triangle with this color 4EB1D4.


STEP 2 – Add gradient to the triangles

A – Set the foreground color to be 1181A9. Now press CTRL + Left mouse button over the triangle 1 thumbnail. This will load the shape of that layer as a selection.

B – Press on the G to activate the Gradient tool. Set the Gradient to be Linr Gradient and the Preset needs to be Foreground to Transparent.

C - Start the gradient from the bottom of the triangle to the top of the triangle as it is shown in the bellow ( 2). Now rept the same step for Triangle 2 and Triangle .


STEP 3 – Crte the letter M

We are going to do 2 things in this process and that is: dupliing existing layers, transform them ( rotate, scale, flip horizontally and flip vertically ) in order to achieve the result we like. In the bellow you will see every part that forms the letter M, what triangles where used and the layer order of every part.

In the 3 ( bellow ) , the on the left is the final look of the letter M. The middle is showing that the letter M is formed from 8 triangles. We have used only variations of Triangle 1 and Triangle 2 to crte this letter. The light and dark green triangles show that we have used Triangle 1 as a block element. The orange color shows that we have used Triangle 2 as a block element. The light green triangles show that we have to place these triangles at the bottom of the hierarchy. The dark green and orange triangles have to be placed on top of the hierarchy. The 3 (on the right ) better explains the hierarchy of the layers ( triangles ). They need to be set in this order so when we add more details later, everything will work properly. NOTE: Select all the triangles of the letter M and Press CTRL + G. This will group all the triangles in 1 Group. Rename the group in to M.

STEP 4 – Crte the letter S

The letter S is composed out of 6 triangles. 5 of those triangles are based on the sample Triangle 1 ( the light and dark green triangles ) and 1 triangle is based on the sample Triangle 2 ( orange triangle). The hierarchy of the layers is shown in the 4 ( the on the right side ). NOTE: Select all the triangles of the letter S and Press CTRL + G. This will group all the triangles in 1 Group. Rename the group in to S.


STEP 5 – Crte the letter D

For the letter D we have used 5 triangles. 3 of those triangles are based on the sample Triangle 1 ( the light and dark green triangles ) and 2 triangle is based on the sample Triangle 2 ( orange triangle). The hierarchy of the layers is shown in the 5 ( the on the right side ). NOTE: Select all the triangles of the letter D and press CTRL + G. This will group all the triangles in 1 Group. Rename the group in to D.



This is the result that we get after we complete step 5 ( bellow).


STEP 6 – Set up the shadow gradient

In the 6 you can see the ars that will have shadow. Pick a darker blue color.I have picked 095075 for my foreground color. Pick the Gradient tool, set it be linr and foreground to transparent preset. Now your gradient is all set. All we have to do now is analyze what layer will have shadow. That’s what we are going to do in STEP 7.


STEP 7 – Pick the Layers that you want to apply shadow to

You need to crte a shadow layer on top of every triangle ( on every layer in every letter ) that you want to apply a shadow effect. Here is a list of every layer that you need to load as a selection, and for every layer you load as a selection you need to have a shadow layer on top of it. From the letter M i have loaded as a selection layer 2,4,5 and 7 ( these are the layers that will have shadow on them ). From the letter S i have load as a selection layer 2,3,4 and 6 ( these are the layers that will have shadow on them ).From the letter D i have load as a selection layer 2,3,4 and 5 ( these are the layers that will have shadow on them ).

NOTE: Every selected layer in the below is the layer where you need to add a shadow. Every layer under the selected layer will be used to load as a selection.



This is the result that you get after you complete STEP 7.


STEP 8 – add highlight to the letters

Crte a new layer and name it Highlight. Make a selection that is very long in its width and has a small height. Now set the foreground color to fad838. Pick the G to activate the Gradient tool and set the gradient to be Radial and the preset Foreground to Transparent. Draw a gradient as it is shown in 8 – radial gradient 1. Now with the same selection still on, change the foreground color to fffbe8. Now draw a gradient as it is shown in 8 – Radial Gradient 2. The Highlight is complete. All you have to do is duplie the highlight layer couple of times and place it in the ars shown in 8 ( right side of the ).



This is the result that you get after you complete STEP 8.


STEP 9 – Crte a ground shadow

Crte a new layer and name it Ground shadow. Pick the Rectangular Marquee Tool and draw a selection around 1000px in width and 20 pixels in height as it is shown in 9. Set the foreground color to be Black and press ALT + Delete to fill the selection with the foreground color ( in this case black ).


STEP 10 – Refinign the ground shadow

With the Ground Shadow layer selected go to Filter – > Blur -> Gaussian Blur as it is show in the 10 ( left side ). Set the Radius to 8.4 pixels and click OK. Now again with Ground Shadow layer selected got to Filter -> Blur – > Motion Blur. Set the Angle at 0, and the distance at 255 px. Now set the Opacity of the Ground Shadow to 40% and you are done with STEP 10.



This is the result that you get after you complete STEP 10.



With STEP 10 we complete this tutorial. You can push this design farther by adding elements to it and even make color variations in order to make more attractive but the method of crting abstract origam looking designs is the same. So make sure to crte something unique and share the results with us.make money make money
From : Make Simple DesignsArthur : Ilcho Bogdanoski
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