Photoshop 3D Button Maker Script (I figured it out)

[Rochelle]

Hello,

Yesterday I joined the 90 Day Challenge and am currently reviewing the material and videos before actually doing anything. While doing this, I came across the post for creating 3D buttons using Photoshop (aka PS), found at http://www.ninetydaychallenge.net/90...maker-193.html

Included is a script for us to download, but no instructions on what to do with it. I looked all over the forum (here and at PLR Pro) about this and only found others asking what to do with it, but no answers.

Well, after playing around with it for a while, I believe I have it figured out. Of course, it is entirely possible that I have done something wrong, so please feel free to correct anything I have written here.

Additionally, I am using PS CS2, so don't know if it will work with more recent versions. It seems there is a slight bug with CS2, but it is easily worked around (I'll explain below).

Lastly, the steps I wrote below are for tools and palettes in their default locations. If you have closed any palettes, or moved tools, you may want to reset the default settings by going to Window / Workspace / Default Workspace.

(I am self-taught on Photoshop, so I may be using the wrong terminology. If what I call a palette really isn't called this, then please forgive me.)

Here is what I did with the script:

1. Downloaded script.

2. Moved file, called 3dbuttons.atn, to the following location within PS: Program Files / Adobe / Adobe Photoshop CS2 / Presets / Photoshop Actions

3. Start PS (if it was already open then you will need to restart it so it will recognize the script).

4. Take a screenprint of the site you want a button for.

5. Open a new... what? I don't know what to call it. Go to File / New. The video for this used the dimensions of 1280 x 1024 px, so that is what I use.

6. Paste screenprint to new work area.

7. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (the dotted square icon, at the top of the tools on the left of the PS screen).

8. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select part of the image. When you release your finger from your mouse, the area you selected should now be inside a moving, dotted line.

The button you create will look best with larger selections. It does not have to be the width (side to side) of the original image, but try to include at least half of the length (up and down). The selected area will remain selected during step 9.

9. Go to the palette on the left that has two tabs called History and Actions. Click on the Actions tab, then scroll through the various actions until you find the one titled, "3dbuttons," which is most likely on a grey line. Just beneath this, on a white line, you will see "new-button."

Click "new-button." It should now be highlighted in blue. Now, click the Play Selection button (it is the right-pointing arrow in the menu bar under all the actions). The 3D Button Script will now create your button.

As I said above, I think there is a bug in the script. Most likely, it was created prior to PS vCS2, and has a slight incompatibility. After I click the Play Selection button, a message pops up that says, "The command "Delete" is not currently available." I can then choose to continue or stop the script. I select "Continue" and deal with the problem in a moment.

There should be two layers when the button is complete. If you did not get the above error then your bottom layer (Layer 1) will be blank. If you did get an error message, then the remaining image will be on this layer, the part that your button was cut from. Simply uncheck this layer so it doesn't show.

The script saves the button as a .jpg, but it needs to be saved as a .gif so the background remains invisible around the rounded corners.

You can play around with the various effects on the button by right-clicking on Layer 2 (in the Layers palette) and selecting "Blending Options..."

If you find that the rounded corners are much too big or broad, then this means your selection wasn't large enough. Try again until you are happy with the results.

I hope this is helpful to any button makers out there.

Rochelle