Creating a recess/inset effect

Sometimes placing an image over a background just isn't enough. This is especially true when creating interfaces. Below I have a button that I want to appear recessed or inset in the background. The button is on one layer and the background on another.

For this tutorial open a new image 200 x 200 pixels. Fill it with whatever color you like.

Add a new layer. Use the Circle selection tool to draw a circle on the canvas.

Use the gradient fill tool set to radial gradient and fill the selection you just made.

You should now have two layers. One for the background and one with a plain round gradient button.

Select the magic wand tool and click on the button layer anywhere but on the button.

Create a new layer and make sure it is below the button layer. Go to Selection>Modify>Expand and set the expansion to 3.

Fill the selection with white.

Go to Adjust>Blur>Gaussion Blur and set the radius to 2.

Make sure that the selection tool is selected and hold the ctrl key while hitting the down arrow key 2 times then the right arrow key two times.

Go to Selections>Select None.

Select the magic wand tool and click anywhere on the button layer except the button.

Making sure the new layer is selected, fill the selection with black.

Create a new layer and make sure it is below the button layer. It doesn't matter if it is above or below the white circle layer.

Go to Selection>Modify>Expand and set the expansion to 3.

Go to Adjust>Blur>Gaussion Blur and set the radius to 2.

Make sure that the selection tool is selected and hold the ctrl key while hitting the down arrow key 2 times then the right arrow key two times.

There you have it. It's a recessed button. If you find you have some jaggies you can correct that when you merge all the layers. Use the Soften brush set to about size 5 and gently work over any jaggies there might be.

Below you can see a start to an interface. You could conceivably create two different color buttons and use one for the normal button state and one for the mouseover state. You could also create graphics to fit inside the big button that would change when the smaller buttons are moused over but all that is for another day and other tutorials.

If you are interested in learning how to create the glassy looking button, check out our Paint Shop Pro tutorials page. There is a tutorial there that explains it all.

Have Fun!

Copyright Vikki Olds, All Rights Reserved