Requested Icon Tutorial:

Icon tutorial requested by myryana
for this effect:




Ok, first off this tutorial has been written using Paint Shop Pro 8, I hope (since I'm not so good at explaining), that you'll find it easy to translate to other programs. second: I am assuming that at least, to follow this tutorials, you know the basics on how to use this program.

Ok, so let's start!!

Here's my base, by enriana:


Well, so I take a new image, just a black one, and write on it whatever it is that I'm going to write, (make sure the text is not black; what i used for the text instead of one color, i used a gradient by crumblingwalls); then go:

Selection > Modify > Expand

This will get me the text outlined, once you've done this, do NOT, under any circumstances blend them together.. just go edit > copy and copy the text to the base i showed above..

add drop shadow Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow
vertical: 2
horizontal: 3
opacity: 50
blur: 5.00

NOW blend them down.. you'll get something like this:



Once you have this, make several copies of the same picture.
take one and click on the dodge tool
settings:
shape: round
size: 2
harness: 50
opacity: 12

move over the text with the tool portions at a time..



a little tip, always zoom in the image so you wont move out of the place you're using the dodge tool over.

Now, save the images and open Animation Shop (3) and put all the frames in one animation.



set the frame properties:
display time: 12
and the animation properties:
loop: repeat the animation indefinitely

Then save it as a .gif
and you're done!! ^-^





One thing, bear with me, since this is my first tutorial ever and I'm actually a little bit new to the whole effect.
enjoy ^_^