Realistic 3D Rack Server

I will show you a very nice technique to create 3D servers

Click to enlarge

Or you can see another variation:

Click to enlarge

Start with a new document. Size 600x600 Pixels with a white background

Select Rectangle tool and create 2 shapes

Then rasterize this layers

Layer > rasterize > shape

Select Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection like mine

Then Hit Delete on your Keyboard

Press Ctrl+D to deselect

With The same tool ( Polygonal lasso Tool, and create a selection like mine )

After you create this selection , hit the Delete key from your keyboard, and do not forget to press Ctrl+D to deselect

Now apply the following layer styles for this layer

This is my result

Now please download the attachment from this thread ( you can find it at the end of this thread )

Inside this package you can find a photo with some servers. open this servers in photoshop, and place this servers like me

Be sure you place this rack servers right above the background layer

In the attachment you will find only one server. please duplicate this layer a few times ( to duplicate a layer be sure you have the layer selected , then press Ctrl+J )

I have used also another images with a switch. feel free to experiment with different images

Now for all this server layers please add the following layer styles

This is my result

Create a new layer on top of all layers ( press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+N)

Select Brush Tool ( soft round brush - 21 pixels )

On the new layer create the following drawing

Drag this layer aright above the servers, and lower the opacity for this layer to 30-40 %

Now for the right side of the server please add the following layer style

This is my result

Now let's merge all the layers except the layer you have already applied an gradient style.

To merge the layers into a single one, please select the layers in your layer palette, then press Ctrl+E

Then you can see the merged files

Now it comes the best part.

Select the left part of the server ( the one with servers ) and go to Edit > Transform > Distort

Move the corners of the server until you have the following result

Create a new layer, then select Polygonal Lasso Tool, and create the following selection

Then go to Edit > stroke ,and use the following settings

Now go to Select > modify > contract and select Contract by 1 pixel

Again go to Edit Stroke and use the following settings

Now go one more time at Select > modify > expand , and chose Expand by 3 pixels

Go to Edit > stroke for the last time and use the following settings

This is my result, after i click Ctrl+D to deselect

With the same technique you can add the same details for the right side of the server

The server looks good but not good enough

Please create a new layer, then with brush tool do the following lines

Then change the layer blending mode to Overlay

With Pen tool , create the following shape

For this shape add a simple layer style. maybe a drop shadow and some gradients

This is my final result

Click to enlarge

And a small variation, after i have created some clones

Click to enlarge

I hope you like it. It will be nice to see some other types of servers