Using type and filters together can result in some beautiful and sophisticated results with very little effort. Text is, in some ways, nothing more than a complex selection. Adding some subtle effects with filters can add interest to an otherwise dull headline.

All of these effects require the Alien Skin filters, also known as Eye Candy.

Text Effects Using Filters

1. Start with a new file, 250x50 pixels.
In Photoshop 3:From the Layers Palette, select New Layer. Using a bold typeface, create text on the new layer.
In Photoshop 4: Use the type tool and select a bold typeface to create the text. It will automatically be created as a new layer.
In Photoshop 5: Use the type tool and select a bold typeface to create the text. It will automatically be created as a new layer. Then you'll need to render the layer in order to apply filters to it. Select Layers/Render Layer from the menu bar.
2. In Photoshop 3: With the text still selected apply the Alien Skin Cutout filter.
In Photoshop 4 and 5: It's not necessary to select the text. Apply the Cutout filter.

3. Select the background layer, and set the foreground color to light blue and the background color to white. Use the gradient tool to create a gradient across the background. You can hold down the shift key to constrain the gradient to a 90 degree angle.

4. Still on the background layer, apply the Alien Skin HSB Noise filter, using the preset Vary Hue.
In Eye Candy 3: apply the HSB Noise filter with these settings:

• Hue Variation - 4
• Saturation Variation - 50
• Brightness Variation - 40
• Opacity Variation - 0
• Lump Width - 1
• Lump Height - 1
• Random Seed - 10

Text Effect With Shadows

Sometimes getting the right effect means a lot of experimentation. If one filter is good, maybe two filters is better, and maybe a third is too much.

1. Start with an image 200 pixels wide by 40 pixels high. Create the text using the type tool. The font used for this example is called "Croissant" and is part of the CorelDraw package, but you can use any chubby typeface for this effect.
2. With the text still selected, apply the Alien Skin Inner Bevel filter,using the Button Preset.
3. In Photoshop 3: With the text selected, apply the Alien Skin Drop Shadow filter.
In Photoshop 4 and 5: Turn off the Preserve Transparency Checkbox on the Layer palette, or use the / keystroke shortcut.

4. In Photoshop 3: Select the entire image using Ctrl+A (Select All) and apply the Alien Skin Cutout Filter, using the Preset Subtle.
In Photoshop 4: Select the background layer. If you're using Eye Candy version 3, use the following settings with the Cutout filter:

• Direction - 315
• Distance - 6
• Blur - 4
• Opacity - 100