Engraving Text in Wood - part 1

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended

1. Open your image in photoshop.I used a PhotoshopTalent.com source image http://www.photoshoptalent.com/images/contests/empty%20sign/fullsize/sourceimagesmall.jpg. a) In your layers window "click and hold" the background layer. b) Drag it to the "create a new layer" icon (it's the one next to the trash can at the bottom) c) Now you should have a new layer named "Background Copy".

2. a) Now select the "text tool (T)" from the tools window. b) I chose the "Hobo Std" font style. Many other styles will work. You can also find tons of FREE fonts online. Remember that there is an oppisite to the word FREE so be careful if you choose to download fonts online. Now that we got that out of the way. c) Set the "Hobo Std" font size to 72 and the d) color to white. e) Now with the text tool selected and set, click an area on the image and type the word Engraving. f) In the layers window right click the word Engraving and rasterize layer.

3. a) With the Engraving layer select. Click edit, transform, distort.

3.1 Now a rectangular selection with small squares is made around the word Engraving. a) "Click and Hold" the square above the "g" and drag it until the top line b) of the rectangle is parrell with the top of the wooden sign. c) Do the same with the square under the "g" until it matches the bottom d) of sign. Once adjusted click the "Check Mark" on the photoshop toolbar to commit transform.

4. a) Hold "Ctrl key" and click the "Engraving Layer Thumbnail". b) This will select the text you created. c) Now click the "eye" icon (only) on that layer to turn it off.