[rl fennec]

---

This detailed tutorial will show you how I create a simple forum userbar template and how you can create one too!
This is the image that you will be creating along with me today:


Program used: Photoshop CS6
Difficulty: Medium

Step 1:
First of all, you want to open a new project in photoshop with the dimensions of 130x45 pixels.

---

Step 2:
Select the rectangle tool as follows: Spoiler (Click to View)
For tutorials sake, select the same colour as shown in the next picture. Colour does not necessarily matter, depending on the userbar you are making. Spoiler (Click to View)

---

Step 3:
This is where we start to put the userbar together now.
*NOTE* You do not have to use rulers when doing this, but I highly recommend it for this is at makes future steps a lot more simple.
Place the rectangle in the center of the canvas so it should look like this:
Spoiler (Click to View)/ and then rasterize the layer/shape by doing this:
Spoiler (Click to View)

---

Step 4:
Now we select the right or left half of the rectangle from the center with the marquee tool and we delete the selected half:
Spoiler (Click to View)
Spoiler (Click to View)
Now repeat this for the bottom left corner of the rectangle (what's left of it) and delete the selected half:
Spoiler (Click to View)
Spoiler (Click to View)

---

Step 5:
Now we are going to add a little curve to the edge of the rectangle that we have left. To do this, select the pen tool and draw a little curve around the edge of the corner of the rectangle. Once you have closed the path, right click on the area you have draw and choose the option Make Selection...:
Spoiler (Click to View)
Spoiler (Click to View)
Select the Marquee tool and press Delete on your keyboard. Then press Ctrl -> D to deselect the pixels.
This is what the image should now look like:
Spoiler (Click to View)

---

---

Step 6:
Now we need to create a full size userbar, right? Now you need to duplicate the layer and then flip it.
To duplicate the layer, simply right click on the layer and select duplicate layer: Spoiler (Click to View)
To flip the image, go to Edit -> Transform -> Flip Vertical:
Spoiler (Click to View)
Simply drag the duplicated layer to the bottom left corner so it is connected like so: Spoiler (Click to View)
Merge both layers together. To do so, hold Ctrl and select both layers, then simply press Ctrl -> E.
Now duplicate that layer again and flip it horizontally this time and place it on the other side. It should now look like this: Spoiler (Click to View)

---

Step 7:
Now it's time to add some effects to the shape itself. The effects that I have used on this userbar is the Stroke, Inner Shadow, Inner Glow and Satin.

Stroke: The stroke adds a nice outline of the shape and makes the shape look a lot cleaner. I used a light grey colour for the stroke on this userbar: Spoiler (Click to View)

Inner Shadow: Adding an inner shadow to the shape adds a nice shade/lighting effect. I used a light Inner Shadow on this userbar as I lowered the opacity to give it a little bit of shade: Spoiler (Click to View)

Inner Glow: The inner glow adds a nice lighting effect on this userbar/shape. I used the default inner shadow gradient (white) and adjusted the opacitiy to make the lighting look appropriate: Spoiler (Click to View)

Satin: The satin adds a nice dark effect to the userbar. Apply the satin effect like so: Spoiler (Click to View)

---

Step 8:
Nice that all blending options (effects) have been implemented, we can add one last feature that will make the userbar look sleek, clean and glossy. We're going to be adding a gloss effect.

To to this, select the Marquee Tool and select the top half of the userbar like this: Spoiler (Click to View)
Now that you have done that, select a lighter grey colour to what the colour of the actual userbar is: Spoiler (Click to View)
Select the paint brush tool and change the opacity to approximately 35% and then paint within the selected pixels. (Don't be too precise, as it will only allow you to colour inside the pixels: Spoiler (Click to View)
Press Ctrl -> D to deselect the pixels.

---

Here is the final product! Spoiler (Click to View)

I hope you found this tutorial helpful and if you have an questions or inquires, feel free to shoot a private message my way! Thanks for reading!

---

[Promethazine.]

Good tutorial man, I love seeing more GFX tuts since I want to get more into GFX myself. Keep up the good work nigg! 👍

[Dextraction]

Nice tutorial. I suggest you continue these as it seems you know how to lay them out quite well. 🙂

[rl fennec]

Thanks guys! I'm glad you found the Tutorial helpful, and I hope others do too.

[aermoid]

Have you ever heard of rounded rectangles?

[rl fennec]

Have you ever heard of rounded rectangles?

I only did it this way to teach more Photoshop skills that could come in handy in the future.

OT: Yes, yes I have.

[⭐A.J⭐]

Why did you use Rectangle Tool when you could have used Rounded Rectangle Tool?
You could have saved your self a lot of time and work.

[rl fennec]

Why did you use Rectangle Tool when you could have used Rounded Rectangle Tool?
You could have saved your self a lot of time and work.

Oh my goodness. Please read my above post.

[⭐A.J⭐]

Oh my goodness. Please read my above post.

Well, I thought you didn't know about it and you just copied and pasted.
Anyway, it's a great tutorial so 👍
Regards.

[rl fennec]

Well, I thought you didn't know about it and you just copied and pasted.
Anyway, it's a great tutorial so 👍
Regards.

I knew about it.. Haha, thanks anyways! :)