Mastering Navigation Buttons From Effects in Photoshop Elements: The Easiest Guide Ever!

When it comes to creating captivating designs, Photoshop Elements is a top-notch software that never disappoints. Among its many features, the ability to manipulate navigation buttons from effects stands out as a powerful tool for enhancing user experience and making your designs visually appealing. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to effortlessly master navigation buttons from effects in Photoshop Elements. Get ready to take your design skills to the next level!

Why Navigation Buttons Matter

Navigation buttons are much more than just clickable elements on a website; they play a vital role in guiding users and providing seamless navigation experiences. When properly designed, these buttons can enhance the user interface, increase engagement, and improve overall user satisfaction. With Photoshop Elements, you can unleash your creativity and design navigation buttons that are not only functional but also visually stunning.

The Basics of Photoshop Elements

If you are new to Photoshop Elements, fear not! This powerful software is user-friendly and provides all the necessary tools and features you need to bring your design ideas to life. Whether you want to create custom navigation buttons from scratch or modify pre-existing ones, Photoshop Elements has got you covered. Familiarize yourself with the basic layout, tools, and functions of the software, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a design pro.

Navigation Buttons From Effects Photoshop Elements (Photoshop Elements Made Easy by Wendi E M Scarth Book 41)

by Sabrie Soloman(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2136 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	11 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Creating Navigation Buttons from Effects

One of the highlights of Photoshop Elements is its vast collection of effects that can be applied to any design element, including navigation buttons. These effects range from simple drop shadows and gradients to more complex textures and lighting effects. Let's explore some popular effects and learn how to apply them to your navigation buttons.

1. Drop Shadow Effect

The drop shadow effect is perfect for adding depth and dimension to your navigation buttons. To apply the drop shadow effect in Photoshop Elements, follow these simple steps:

1. Select your navigation button layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click on the "fx" button at the bottom of the Layers panel.
3. Choose "Drop Shadow" from the dropdown menu.
4. Adjust the settings to your preference, such as the distance, size, and opacity of the shadow.
5. Click "OK" to apply the drop shadow effect.

2. Gradient Overlay Effect

Gradient overlays can instantly transform your navigation buttons into eye-catching elements. To apply a gradient overlay effect in Photoshop Elements, follow these steps:

1. Select your navigation button layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click on the "fx" button at the bottom of the Layers panel.
3. Choose "Gradient Overlay" from the dropdown menu.
4. Customize the gradient settings, such as the color stops, opacity, and blending mode.
5. Click "OK" to apply the gradient overlay effect.

3. Texture Effect

Textures can add depth, character, and uniqueness to your navigation buttons. To apply a texture effect in Photoshop Elements, follow these steps:

1. Select your navigation button layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click on the "fx" button at the bottom of the Layers panel.
3. Choose "Pattern Overlay" from the dropdown menu.
4. Select a suitable texture from the available patterns or upload your own.
5. Adjust the scale, blending mode, and opacity of the texture.
6. Click "OK" to apply the texture effect.

4. Lighting Effects

Lighting effects can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your navigation buttons. To apply lighting effects in Photoshop Elements, follow these steps:

1. Select your navigation button layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click on the "fx" button at the bottom of the Layers panel.
3. Choose "Render Lighting Effects" from the dropdown menu.
4. Customize the lighting settings, such as the direction, intensity, and color.
5. Click "OK" to apply the lighting effects.

Optimizing Navigation Buttons for Web

Now that you have mastered the art of creating stunning navigation buttons from effects, it is essential to optimize them for web use. Here are some key things to consider:

1. Size: Navigation buttons should be adequately sized to ensure easy navigation on different devices.
2. Alt Attribute: Add relevant long descriptive keywords to the alt attribute of your navigation buttons for improved accessibility and SEO.
3. State Transitions: Ensure smooth state transitions, such as hover effects, to enhance interactivity and user experience.
4. File Format: Save your navigation buttons in web-friendly formats such as PNG or JPEG to reduce file size and maintain image quality.

Navigation buttons from effects in Photoshop Elements open up endless possibilities for creating visually stunning and highly functional designs. By mastering the art of harnessing effects such as drop shadows, gradients, textures, and lighting, you can take your design skills to new heights. Remember to optimize your navigation buttons for the web by considering factors like size, alt attributes, state transitions, and file formats. So, go ahead and unleash your creative genius with Photoshop Elements, making your navigation buttons effortlessly captivating and engaging!

Navigation Buttons From Effects Photoshop Elements (Photoshop Elements Made Easy by Wendi E M Scarth Book 41)

by Sabrie Soloman(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2136 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	11 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This tutorial demonstrates how to create navigation buttons from Effects - utilising Adobe Photoshop Elements versions 7, 8 & 9. (Newer Photoshop Elements versions are slightly different, however, with a little knowledge my tutorials can still be utilised). This is a step by step tutorial and is suitable for Intermediate to Advanced students. It includes many informative screen captures that speed up the learning process. This is part of a series of over 300 tutorials that I have written for Photoshop Elements. Each of my Photoshop Elements tutorials is step by step and packed with helpful screen captures - so you can follow my instructions every step of the way without ever getting lost.

I have designed these tutorials so you can begin to use the tools in Photoshop Elements to immediately get brilliant results - and they can be read on your Kindle, iPad, PC, Mac, Smart Phone and Tablet.

Many of my students have emailed me over the years to say my Photoshop Elements tutorials are the best they have read and the easiest to follow; in fact, several Universities currently utilise my Photoshop Elements tutorials teaching their students on campus. Normally I sell my 300+ Photoshop Elements tutorials as a bundle, however, I have made these tutorials available for those of you who maybe just want to use a specific technique and who don't wish to purchase my full collection.

http://www.paintshopprotutorials.co.uk/html/photoshop_elements_tutorials.html

Have fun!

Wendi E M Scarth.