Not bad now! As done before, create a new layer then merge it with the layer applied with the layer styles. After this, darken up your logo a little more using the levels feature (ctrl+l).
OK, we’re done for that part, but we want to add a little more metal to the logo (next step).
5. Metal Textures (Bat Logo)
Again, check out your texture resources and find some nice, rusty metal textures. To start with I used a ‘galvanized’ metal texture.
Copy your texture to the canvas, resize it then crop it to the bat logo pixels (using a layer mask).
Now, time to mess with some layer modes. For the first galvanized metal texture layer I used
Color Dodge with
40% fill, then I duplicated this layer and changed the layer mode to
Overlay and left the fill opacity intact.
Not really noticeable, hey? Anyway, to finish off I added one more texture on top, with a large rusty bit at the top:
For this layer I used
Linear Burn and
27% fill (please remember, all the textures used in this tutorial can be downloaded from CG Textures).
http://www.photoshopstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/rusty-metal-layer-2.jpg
(click for larger version)
6. Finshing Effects for Bat Logo
OK, to finish off with the bat logo I think we should add a shadow and also one of those cool light rays in the background. For the shadow, simply apply an Outer Glow layer style to the main layer.
For the ‘cool light ray’ effect I was talking about, get one of your original bat logo layers (with one solid color) and apply
Filter > Blur > Radial Blur with similar settings to these:
Now we have a cool blur like this:
I think a good idea for a better effect would be to make the shape slightly bigger before apply radial blur, so it stands out on the sides a little bit more. Anyway, after you’re done with the radial blur, change the layer mode to
Color Dodge and lower the fill if you think it necessary.
So, as you can see, on the left we have the final bat logo on top of the light ray in the background, and on the right is the final light ray with the layer mode changed.
Further Effects
As I write this I continue getting ideas to improve on the final product, but I can’t list them all! You should keep adding your own stuff to the outcome though, as you’ll always come across a better effect.
One idea is to create another light ray effect and place it on top of all the other layers, use a layer mode such as Overlay and erase away some of the inner area.
(additional light ray effect on the right, as explained above)
7. Additional Textures
If you want a much darker outcome, you should continue adding textures on top of the whole document (not just the shape or the background, but the whole thing) and continue playing with layer modes, fills, layer masks, etc.
Don’t forget the ole trusty but crusty brushes either!
http://www.photoshopstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/the-dark-knight.jpg
(more textures, more adjustment layers, etc.)