Have you ever seen those sweet looking Mac icons or buttons and wondered how they made them? Well now you can make them in a few minutes of your spare time. Let's begin drawing the below shape (for the more experienced users with the "Pen Tool") or download the shape here.
Now that you have your shape, you can now right click on the shape layer and select, "Blending Options...". Now click on "Drop Shadow ".
Do not click OK yet... still more to do.
Now click on "Gradient Overlay".
You may now click OK.
You should now have the following image.
Now make a selection as I have illustrated below. Remember, using the "Alt" key on the keyboard will allow you to add multiple selections. After the selection has been made, feather it (under the "Selection" menu) by 2, create a new layer and fill with white. Turn the Opacity down to 62%.
You should now have the following image.
"Ctrl" click the shape layer and grab the "Brush Tool" with a larger size. Perhaps 20 with a soft edge. Create a new layer above all other layers and change the mode to "Color Dodge." Brush the lower section of the selection as I have done below. I have also added a couple simple shapes to add to the effect.
The Results!!!
