Quick Tip: Create Liquid Filled Glass Text in Photoshop
Tutorial Details
- Program: Adobe Photoshop CS3+
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Estimated Completion Time: 30 Minutes
Final Product What You'll Be Creating
Layer styles are a powerful tool in Photoshop that allow you to quickly create effects that you can then apply to additional objects. Today, we will demonstrate how to use layer styles to create a liquid filled text effect in Photoshop. Let’s get started!
Step 1
Start by creating a new document, 1500px by 1000px. Fill the Background with a Linear Gradient using the color #acacac as the Foreground color, and #e1e1e1 as the Background color. Start from the bottom of the file and go upwards.
Step 2
Now, type the text you want to apply the effect on, using the color #dbdbdb, the size 300px, and the font type is “Cooper Std”. Any bold font would be fine, just make sure it is bold.
Duplicate the text layer, and rename both layers as shown in the image below.
Step 3
Double click on the bottom layer (Psdtuts – bottom), and apply the following layer styles:
Step 4
Now, change the Fill value of the top layer (Psdtuts – top) to (0%), then double click on it, and apply the following layer styles:
Step 5
Using the “Rectangle Tool”, draw a rectangle shape that covers the lower half of the text, the color should be #aa4280. Make sure that the rectangle shape layer is between the two text layers (‘Psdtuts – bottom’ and ‘Psdtuts – top’).
Step 6
Select the “Add Anchor Point Tool”, and start adding points at the edges of the letters, where they intersect with the rectangle.
Step 7
Once you’re done, begin adding points in between the edges, these will determine the tops and bottoms of the liquid. After adding the points, use the “Direct Selection Tool” to select those points and move them up and down. You can also use the “Delete Anchor Point Tool” to remove any unwanted points. Continue modifying the points until you’re satisfied with the result.
Step 8
We are going to rasterize the rectangle shape layer, so make a duplicate of the shape layer, then Right Click on the copy, and choose “Rasterize Layer”.
Press the Cmd/Ctrl key, and while you’re still pressing it, Right Click on the icon of one of the text layers to create a selection, then, press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I to invert the selection, and hit Delete.
Step 9
Double click on the rasterized shape layer, and apply the following styles.
Step 10
Now we’re done, but you can still change the color of the fluid fill simply by adding a Hue and Saturation adjustment layer, and choose the color you like!
Final Image
This is the final result. Hope you enjoyed this tutorial.
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Can someone answer a question for me. I completed this file and it looks good, BUT now I want to change the text. Problem is I can change the top and bottom layers of text but I cant change edit the copy with the red liquid in it. Anyone have any suggestions? Is there a easy way to do this WITHOUT recreating everything?
Thanks
Hello Brady,
I’m afraid there is no way to do this, as the liquid layer is rasterized! So you need to re-create the shape layer to adjust the liquid shape for the new text.
Lol I Have Photoshop Cs and There is no Add Anchor point tool
Hi, I am trying to work through the tut with CS3 and although there is an ‘add anchor point’ option it wont work on the rectangle shape. I have tried drawing the shape as a path incorporating the ‘humps’ where it intersects with the type. But CS3 wont allow me to rasterize the shape layer on its own so Im stuck on that point. Ive tried making a clipping mask from the type without avail. Now waiting for guidance – heavenly or otherwise welcomed.
set the rectangle tool to shape layers before drawing it in…to add anchor points, use the direct selection tool.
To save a couple of steps, keep the old rasterized liquid layer then copy layer style and paste the layer style onto the new liquid layer.
it will look so so great if the liquid look more 3Ds…just my opinion :) btw…it great
Nice
Can some one help me with step 8. I’m doing like it is writen — Press the Cmd/Ctrl key, and while you’re still pressing it, Right Click on the icon of one of the text layers to create a selection, then, press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I to invert the selection, and hit Delete — but its not working. I can’t cut it. The Rasterize Layer it is staying whole.
Can some one please tell it to me in more details, this step.
Hello Lokov,
Are you sure you rasterized the shape layer? Also, make sure that the rasterized layer is selected, and not the original shape layer.
Maybe you need to click on the eye icon next to the original shape (Fill) layer so that it is invisible, I’m sorry I forgot to mention this in the tutorial, but if it is visible, you won’t be able to see the changes when you delete the selection on the rasterized layer.
Hope this helps.
Haha, I was having the same problem. I had done 3 times and it didn’t work. Now I’m reading the comments to found out some one had the same problem. (Lokov).
Thanks it is a beautiful tutorial.
Keep the good work up.
Where in the world did u get all those different contours?! I had to make all of mine by looking at the pictures of yours…………………….
Hey TC,
Please check out this reply http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/text-effects-tutorials/liquid-filled-glass-text-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-277447
I have problem here step 7 ‘Once you’re done, begin adding points in between the edges, these will determine the tops and bottoms of the liquid. After adding the points, use the “Direct Selection Tool” to select those points and move them up and down. You can also use the “Delete Anchor Point Tool” to remove any unwanted points. Continue modifying the points until you’re satisfied with the result.’
There is no way I can do the ups & down with the color.
Please help I love this tutorial.
Thanks
Hello Carlos,
Were you able to add the points in Step 6? You might need to click on the shape box next to the color of the fill (seen in the image under Step 8, it is the grey box next to the word “Fill”, click it so that you can modify the shape. You need to do this if the grey border and the anchor points are not visible like in the image under Step 7, but if you can see them, then there’s no need to do this.)
Also, make sure you are using the right tool, and that the shape layer is not rasterized yet.
If this doesn’t work, can you please clarify the problem more? As I don’t really get what exactly you’re not able to do with the points.
Hi
I’m having the same problem the rectangle is selected and I have my points when I go to modify them the green part of the rectangle only goes up not down can you please help me out I really like this effect.
Thanks Rosie, I got it.
Hi, I have attempted to complete this tut with using CS3 which throws up a few problems. I have managed to create the top and bottom layers and been absolutely delighted with the result. My problem is really with step5. I cannot create anchor points as illustrated in your tut but drew the rectangle as a path and filled it with the liquid colour. Right clicking does not produce the options given in the tut so I guess that’s the difference with CS3 and CS3+. I have tried linking the rectangle with a text layer and producing a clipping mask but without any success so far. Any suggestions ? Kindest regards.
Hello bill,
The rectangle shouldn’t be created as a path, it should be created as a shape, so make sure that the Shape Layers button is selected in the options bar.
Also, please check my reply to “Carlos E. Quevedo” as it might help as well. (http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/text-effects-tutorials/liquid-filled-glass-text-effect/comment-page-2/#comment-286152).
Hope this helps.
it works better if you do not rasterize your shape layer. just option click in between the shape and the bottom text in the layers palette. this applies your shape layer to the text below it. then you can edit the type or even animate the shape later making the waves look like they are moving.
Can this effect be applied to a person/object?
somebody get me font “cooper std”, please @@
It will be easy to me If this lesson will be translated to russian ;)
I’m stuck on step 7. After adding the points, use the “Direct Selection Tool” to select those points and move them up and down. When I move the points up they fill with the color but when I move a point down it stays filled with color instead of deleting the color. Not sure what I’m doing wrong as I’ve completed this before successfully but wanted to try again with a different word. Now it’s not working for me. Please help.
Thanks
I tried to do this in CS5 and when I got to the add anchor point and then the direct selection tool it wouldn’t adjust the point but the whole line is there another way to do this?
i don’t know why, but the layer of the top covers all the image. i mean a can’t see it pink. Do i have to change the opacity?
Brilliant.
Love the effect just started playing around with ps, the outcome was awesome, thanks!
Step 8, Step 8,…… Rosie step 8, but i am glad some one else ask you about the inversions and you finaly said about punching out the eye to the original fill or shape layer. Anyway it didn’t stop there but i finally got it and it looks real (chuchin) = ( fine in english. Thank you thank you..
Abuelo. = Grandpa
Hello Rose:
Ok sorry I took the liberty of doing some explaning some things and here it is. If you are new to Photoshop, this will start on
STEP 5:
Make a NEW LAYER call it Rectangle Tool… use Rose colors and do what she says ( put it in between the two text layers). Follow STEP 6 and Step 7.
STEP 8
Make the Duplicate Layer…. Click on original Rectangle layer( highlight it)/ make Duplictae layer/Right clik/Rasterize Duplicate only. ( Duplicate should remain highlighted)
Turn eye icon off on Primary Rectangle tool Layer
CTRL (left click) Click on Icon of Bottom TEXT layer…Rectangle tool copy should still be highlighted.
Then CTRL+SHIFT+I to invert/ hit delete….should look like Rosie’s…Follow the rest of the steps
STEP 9a…. to get rid of ANTS.. CTRL+D…eye Icon on original Rectangle tool should still be OFF.
Thank you Rose. I like it.
I hope i dint step on your toes here with these instructions.
Great design, however one question. In step 5 I used the rectangle tool, drew a shape around the lower portion of the letters, changed the color to aa4280 and placed the layer between psd top and psd bottom. The image that I see is a rose color rectangle box across the lower portion of the letters but the clear portion of the letters did not change to the rose color. It looks as if the rectangle banner is behind a layer, but I placed the rectangle layer right between the psd top and psd bottom. Any thoughts as to what I’ve done wrong?
Regards,
Bob
Hi, the same thing happened to my work like Bob Teeling. At first I was able to follow step number 5 but when i went back to redo the tut again the letters retain color and it seemed the rectangle layer was placed behind the letters. What did i do wrong? Please explain. Thanks!
Hi Jaz and Bob, I believe you missed changing the Fill value of top layer (Psdtuts – top) to (0%) that’s why you can see the rectangle shape behind the text. Hth…
Thank you very much ^_^ love it.
please im stuck at step 8..everytime i invert n del..it delete my background too..so please..help me men here..if u so nice please help me..i need this on my work..please..
Hi I need some help I want the entire text to be like this can you help me I need some help I am noob and I need you to help me with it can you do it for me if I tell what text to put in as I have no idea on how to do this. Please replay to this and I will tell you also what’s your email address so that I can email you I need help.
Hey someone help me with step 8 it doesnt work for me :( please reply.
very nice transparent effect
you please mailto me original source
Fantastic tutorial. very easy and clear to follow. will deff use this style in the future
What should the invert/deletion stage look like on Step 8? (I did hide the original fill layer.)
I have gotten 2 things: 1. It deletes the “liquid” inside of the letters. Then when I apply all the styles, it’s not correct because it also stylizes the outside liquid.
2. It deletes the liquid outside of the letters, but it has a white area where the liquid used to be. When I add the styles, that white area becomes stylized.
Hi,
1. GREAT TUT!!
2. make your life easy and dont use pathes … just select the purple layer and use the distore->wave tool
Nice tutorial, I try to avoid the pen tool but when you see what it can do in tutorials like this, it’s worth it! Forgot how good this site was lol
Great tut – thanks a lot! ;-)
but you don’t have to rasterize the “fluid-layer”.
Just select the shape of the text and add a mask to the rectangle.
Now, if you want to change the text, you just need to change the layer-mask instead of building the whole thing up again.
Very Nice
Hello.
Great tut dude.. i just can move on after step 5.
I can not add points what should i do? im useing pscs4
I’m having the same problem Elisabeth is having, I invert and delete, the space deleted goes white…..I’m not getting the right action PLEASE HELP!!!
Thanx man !!
Nice tutorial…. :)
this would be cool if it wasn’t so incredibly difficult to make a stupid text effect. they should just make this a font