Hello HackForums,
Welcome to my tutorial on how to make a quality signature, using techniques that I find essential in creating an attractive graphic. This step by step tutorial will have you making signatures that people drool over in no time, feel free to take things in your own direction.

We will be making this signature: (You can use any render/color scheme, don't feel obligated to use these resources)
[img]http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9271/propitious.png[/img]

Visit the bottom of the thread for resources.

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Step 1:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5813/89963982.png[/img]
Choose the size and quality of your signature.

Step 2:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4382/64408163.png[/img]
Select your render!

Step 3:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6337/26802508.png[/img]
Go to Image>Image Size and choose an appropriate size, play around with it till you find a desired size.

Step 4:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4908/35542479.png[/img]
Hold CTRL and click on "layer 0", this should result in a scrolling outline around your render. You can then press CTRL + C, or go to Edit>Copy.

Step 5:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/1134/94642464.png[/img]
Now, I'll share with you my secret to making renders pop, paste your render (CTRL + V, or Edit>Paste), and then right click your render layer and duplicate it, make sure you hide the duplicated layer (click the eye beside the layer). Now, select your "blur" tool, I usually keep the strength between 7-17, make sure you blur the whole render.

Step 6:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/7498/70458240.png[/img]
You can now reveal your duplicate layer (click the eye), set the opacity anywhere from 50-75, and then begin sharpening this layer. I would recommend a strength of 5-15.

Step 7:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2576/72264330.png[/img]
It's time to pick your C4D render. If you would like to use the same resources as I, you can download them at the bottom of the tutorial.

Step 8:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7121/42435761.png[/img]
Duplicate your C4D and arrange them as I have.

Step 9:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/8601/10746265.png[/img]
Begin erasing the C4D that is covering your render with an eraser opacity of 25%, work slowly and carefully as you want to have it blend smoothly.

Step 10:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/8236/66869770.png[/img]
Create a new layer and place it just above the background, you can then scroll through your brushes and find an applicable backdrop/effect, I went with a grunge style. Apply your brush.

Step 11:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/771/92125084.png[/img]
Create another layer and place it above your C4D, change the setting to "Color Dodge", and select another brush/effect and apply it. This should give you a fairly nice effect.

Step 12:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5849/74713209.png[/img]
Now duplicate your original render and arrange them as I have, change the setting to "Multiply" and select your Smudge tool. I use a strength of 90% and a size of roughly 7-12, begin smudging the render.

Step 13:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4900/47633434.png[/img]
Create a new layer and place it above your ORIGINAL render, change the setting to Multiply and your opacity to 75%. Now use your Brush and brush a few areas of color, I used a brush size of 19-25, you will then smudge these brush strokes using the same smudge settings as before.

Step 14:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1261/75048352.png[/img]
Create a new layer above everything and change the setting to Linear Dodge (Add), use your brush to highlight a few areas and smudge till everything is blended.

Step 15:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4199/30738825.png[/img]
Now is the time to go back and sharpen/blur anything you deem necessary, I usually sharpen all of my smudge layers and begin blurring everything that is farther away from the original render. After you touch up your image go to Adjustments and then Gradient Map (I used the orange/blue style). Change the opacity to 45% and the fill to 50%.

Step 16:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/388/29225615.png[/img] Go into Adjustments again and select Photo Filter, you can use the same settings as I have or find something that works for you.

Step 17:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/2493/72306213.png[/img]
Go into Adjustments once again and select Hue/Saturation, feel free to play around till you find something you like.

Step 18:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/9009/62745257.png[/img]
You can now add a text if you like.

Step 19:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/7287/31714555.png[/img]
YOU'RE DONE! Make sure you save your .PSD for future use.

Step 20:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/5365/89026853.png[/img]
Save your signature as a .png/.jpeg so it's ready for upload.

Step 21:
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9271/propitious.png[/img]
You made it, congratulations.
=)

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Resources:
http://www.mediafire.com/?3k26ry26dnxclp1

Virus Scans:
https://www.virustotal.com/file/d315f56a8d2f1abd07e204599afb9a1e5e69d8c28172bf14e64e35301a62532a/analysis/1333689286/
Spoiler (Click to View)[img]http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5304/45127998.png[/img]