Web Domination Using Photoshop

Creating a Chiseled Button Effect

The Bevel and Emboss layer style is a versatile tool that can be used to create many different button effects. In this solution, we'll use it to create hard-edged, chiseled buttons like the ones shown here.

Chiseled buttons

Solution

Create or select a basic button. Then, open the Layer Style dialog box by clicking on the Add a layer style button at the bottom of the Layers palette and selecting Bevel and Emboss... from the menu that appears. From the Technique drop-down menu, select Chisel Hard and set the Soften field to 0px. Increase the Depth of the bevel to chisel "deeper" into the button.

Bevel and Emboss options for chiseled bevel

Creating an Embedded Button Effect

In this solution, I'll show you a button effect that makes your buttons look like they're embedded into the page, as shown here.

Embedded buttons

Solution

Select or create a basic button. Open the Layer Style dialog box by clicking on the Add a layer style button at the bottom of the Layers palette and selecting Bevel and Emboss... from the menu that appears. From the Style drop-down menu, select Pillow Emboss. This will give your button an "embedded" effect.

Experiment with the settings to change the look of your effect. Both the buttons in the example shown above are pillow embossed, but they look different because I've set the Technique to Smooth for the top one, the settings for which are shown on the next page, and Chisel Hard for the bottom one.

Pillow Emboss options for the smooth embedded button