In this photoshop tutorial I'll be explaining how to build a brushed aluminum knob for a graphical user interface (GUI). The tutorial is quite simple but the outcome is something shiny and new.
What We'll Be Creating
Setting Up Our Canvas
Create a new document (Ctrl + N) 800 x 600 pixels with any colored background. Set your foreground color to #e4e4e4 and background color to #cfcfcf then select the "Gradient Tool" (G). With the "Gradient Tool" (G) selected change the gradient type to a reflected gradient.
Drag the gradient over the canvas starting from the middle of the canvas and dragging upwards.
Quick Tip:
Holding down the "Shift" key whilst dragging will snap the dragging line so its 100% vertical.
Once the background gradient has been applied add a noise filter by going to "Filter > Noise > Add Noise", use the settings below.
Preparing The GUI Knob
Select the "Ellipse Tool" (U) then create 4 ellipse's all on there own separate layers, the image below shows you in more detail.
Notice how some ellipse's are far apart than others. This isn't critical but try and get it as close as you can. Lets now start to add our layer styles, we'll start with the "Knob Outer Layer".
You should have something like this.
Next, add the following layer styles to the "Knob Inner Layer".
You should now have something like this.
Add the following layer styles to the "Knob Layer".
You should have something like this.
Finally, add a gradient overlay to the "Knob Top Layer".
You should now have something which looks like this.
Creating The Knob Shadow
Duplicate the "Knob Top Layer", then right click the duplicated layer and select "Rasterize Layer". Rename the layer "Knob Shadow" then move the layer underneath the original. Select the "Move Tool" (V). With the "Move Tool" (V) selected press the down arrow down a couple of times.
Quick Tip:
To increase the distance of the move tool whilst working with the keyboard, try holding down the shift key whilst tapping the arrow keys.
With the shadow layer selected go to "Filter > Blur > Guassian Blur" apply a guassian blur of about 3-5px then set the opacity to around 75%.
Adding Depth To The Knob
Select the "Polygonal Lasso Tool" (L) then mark out a couple of triangular selections.
Fill the selections with the color white #ffffff, to add more depth to the knob create some of the white triangles on different layers.
Blur the triangular shapes by around 3-4 pixels then load a selection around the "Knob Top Layer", "Layer > Load Selection". Once the selection has been loaded go to "Select > Inverse" then hit the delete key.
If you've added some of the triangular selection to there own separate layers then adjust the opacity of each shape to add more depth.
Next, were going to add a simple brushed metal surface. Start off by selecting the "Rectangular Marquee Tool" (M) and make a selection around the knob, with the selection made go to "Filter > Noise > Add Noise" then use the settings below.
Deselect the selection "Ctrl + D" then go to "Filter > Blur > Radial Blur".
Change the blend mode to "Screen" then lower the opacity to around 40%. To remove the excess, load a selection around the "Knob Top Layer" then inverse the selection by going to "Select > Inverse".
Creating The Volume Labels
On the "Knob Top Layer" make a black circle and a black and white line next to each other.
Set the black and white line layers blend mode to "Soft Light" then add the following layer styles to the black circle layer.
You should have something like this.
On the left, right and top sides of the Knob add the volume text labels.
Creating The Volume Lights
Select the "Ellipse Tool" (U) then create a big ellipse which covers the knob.
Select the vector mask on the ellipse layer then add another ellipse inside of the original ellipse with the settings "Subtract From Shape Area".
Using the "Pen Tool" (P) with the same option "Subtract From Shape Area" cut away a portion of the ellipse.
In the adobe photoshops custom shapes library select the "Registration Target" shape.
Drag out the registration target over the big ellipse.
Load a selection around the "Registration Target" then select the ellipse layer and hit the delete key. Delete the registration target then you should have something like this.
Split so many of the little squares on one layer and the rest of another, try and work it so that the last square shape falls on the volume dial indent.
To the one half of the little squares add the following layer styles.
To the other half of the squares add the following layer styles.
Your end result should look something like this.
Hi! Im Richard Carpenter and Im a Freelance Web and Graphics Designer from England. I am also a Regular Blogger, Tutorial Writer, and owner of Photoshop Plus. Photoshop Plus is his 2nd personal blog about all things photoshop. On a weekly basis he write tutorials, articles and freebies.
