Tutorial

Tutorial: How to make a segmented cable.

A few people have contacted me and asked for a tutorial thats show how I have done those "segmented cables" that can be seen on my website. I decided that I will now respond to those requests and show how it is done.

Create a new document 200x300 pixels, and make the background white. Create a new layer and name it "Segment". Make a new oval selection with the circle marquee tool. Make the selection on the top of the image like I have done here.
Now it is time to choose where you want the highlights and the shadows on the cable. Select the Gradient Tool and use the default settings for the Linear Gradient. Next choose to edit the gradient colors. The colors you choose is pretty much up to you. The thing is to shift between light and dark tones to create highlights on the cable, keep in mind that the color on both of the edges should be dark to make the cable look round. When you are satisfied you should have something like the gradient below.

Select the "Segment" layer and make a gradient inside the oval selection from one side to the other. Deselect.
With the "Segment" layer still selected go to Layer > Layer Style > Bewel and Emboss. Fill in the settings as shown below. Remeber to set the Highlight mode color to a darker tone, about 50% grey.

Now go to Layer > Layer Style > Outer Glow. Fill in the settings as shown below.

Next duplicate the "Segment" layer by drag and drop it on the Create a new layer button. Next select the new layer which should be on the top and will be called "Segemnt copy". Select the Move Tool and start to nudge the layer about 10 pixels down and a few pixels to the right.
Repeat the step above over and over again always by duplicate and move the top layer. Do this until you have a nice long cable in the shape you like, it is easy to modify the looks off it if you are not happy the first time. This is pretty much it.
Here is what it can look like if you just add more cables in different sizes and shapes and touch it up with a few shadows. Enjoy!

For more Photoshop tutorials, please visit my website at www.embrazer.com.

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