Design Vector Based Badges
Creating your own badges has never been easier. These badges are vector based, which means that you can scale them to whatever size you need without loosing any quality, and maintain a very crisp graphic with clear edges.
Step 1
Start by creating a new document in Photoshop, 500×500, White Background.
Grab the Pen Tool (P) and choose the Ellipse Tool.
Select a good color that will show both shadows and highlights, I picked red. Now start creating an ellipse while holding down Shift, this will make the shape circular. This will be the base for the badge, but don’t worry about the size of the circle, since it’s vector based you will be able to scale it later on if you need to.
Step 2
This step will be all about applying effects to the Layer Style. To access the layer styles window, either double click on the layer in the Layer Palette or Go to Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options…
Drop Shadow:
Inner Shadow:
Outer Glow:
Inner Glow:
Gradient Overlay:
Okay, now we’ve styled the base layer. Given it the rounded feel, added shadows and a little highlight in the middle. You should end up with something like this:
Step 3
This step will help you create two subtle highlights, one on the top and one on the bottom. Duplicate the previous layer, the one with the circle in it; Layer > Duplicate Layer… You want to resize this new layer to 90% the size of it’s current size (Edit > Transform > Resize) Once again it’s a Layer Style only step:
Uncheck all the styles except for Gradient Overlay, which should get the following settings:
Gradient Overlay:
Click on the Gradient to bring up a new window. Here you will need to slide the top right arrow towards the middle, this will narrow down the gradient. On the left I used White (#FFFFFF) at 100% Opacity
Change the Fill to 0% (located just below the Layer Opacity in the Layer Palette). This will make the color of the shape disappear but leaving the layer styles untouched. You might want to lower the Opacity as well, I have mine at 30% for this layer.
This should give your badge a look like this:
Step 4
Now we are going to create the main highlight.
Select the Pen Tool again and use the Ellipse Tool to make an actual ellipse this time.
Now we’re going to position this shape where we want the light to come from. Select the Move Tool (V) and check the Show Transform Controls checkbox in the top bar menu. While holding down Shift rotate the layer (place your pointer around the corners of the layer and start dragging). Rotate it to a 45-degree angle and place it where you want the highlight.
As you can see there’s a bit of space between the old highlight and the ellipse. To fill this space simply select the Pen Tool (P), and while holding down Ctrl, click inside the ellipse. This will show you the four points of the shape and what you want to do is to drag the one shown in the next image:
Now we’re going to change this black shape into a highlight with the help of, you guessed it, Layer Style.
Only Gradient Overlay this time as well:
You might need to drag the gradient around on the image until you get that perfect fit.
Change the Fill to 0% and the Opacity to around 60% for this layer.
Step 5
The badge is more or less finished now, just select your base layer and change the Fill to 0%.
To show you what your badge should look like at this stage I’ve changed my background to blue, since the highlights won’t show on a white background:
Step 6
The only thing that is left now is the actual content on the badge. If you have a picture you would like to use for your badge simply drag it into your image and place it below the base layer. After lining it up so that it fills the circle just like you want it, you simply Ctrl-click the vector mask of the base layer. This will give you a selecting of the circle (badge) and all you have to do now is, while you’re in your picture layer, click on the Add Layer Mask icon. This will hide everything outside the badge.
Remember that the badge itself is vector based so you can resize it all you want, but the content you have inside the badge might not be vector so resize the badge before you add content.
Good Luck!
86 Comments
Nice and straight forward. Useful elements too. Thanks!
Flag as inappropriateThanks for this tutorial! I learned a lot by going through it
Flag as inappropriateThanks
I want learn this now!
Flag as inappropriateThanks for this tutorial! I learned a lot by going through it – especially concerning non-destructive editing – shapes vs paths (scalable vectors) and such…
That’s the sign of a great tutorial, too – not just one that gets you from A to Z, but teaches you some letters in between as well.
Flag as inappropriateI have done up to step 5 perfectly. But in step 6 I ctrl+click the vecter mask of the base layer and the selection mark of the circle appeared. Again while in my pictur layer I clicked add layer mask button and I did not get the final result-(ie.Through the top layer I could see nothing.) why?
Flag as inappropriateThanks this was very helpful!
Flag as inappropriateSaved me loads of time.
@ Michelle, you have to choose the Free Transform Tool directly above Transform Path.
Flag as inappropriateWonderfull tutorial, thanks for this.
Flag as inappropriateThanks you very much sir! Wonderful!…
Flag as inappropriateThanks!! awesome tutorial! :)
Flag as inappropriatecool
tutorial
thanx
Flag as inappropriateOn step 3, I can’t find the transform/resize tool. This is what I get: http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii157/emotionaltears/error.png
What should I do?
Flag as inappropriateWith a lil tweakin’, this helped me quite a bit in finding the right highlights to put on my custom clock face (in the sidebar).
Gorgeous!
Flag as inappropriateI just love the badges and I had to try out one. It turned out great so thank you.
Flag as inappropriatewow Cool tip thank for sharing.146
Flag as inappropriatewow Cool tip thank for sharing.132
Flag as inappropriatewow Cool tip thank for sharing.126
Flag as inappropriatewow thanks so much.
Flag as inappropriatethank you very much. this was great. i had no problems following all the steps and the result looks awesome. thank you so much – this site rocks!! …and now to the next tutorial ;o)
Flag as inappropriateThis was great tutorial. Thanks. :)
Flag as inappropriateI still dont understand how this is a vector image! Photoshop is not a vector based program. I would understand it if we were doing it in Illustrator but photoshop doesn’t do vectors. Nice to tutorial anyway:)
Flag as inappropriatePhotoshop is capable of creating vector images, it can read and write vector files etc. It’s not the main feature of the program, nor is it the best program to use for vectors — but it can indeed “do vectors”
Have a look at http://lucky13.deviantart.com/art/Vector-Art-The-Myth-Revealed-8818843 to see for yourself, it’s a bit lengthy but a good video that explains the myth or misunderstanding about Photoshop and vector images.
And like it says in the tutorial, these badges are “vector based”, the content might not be vector but the shades and highlights are and therefor can be re-sized without loosing quality.
Flag as inappropriateFor all those who are stuck at stage 6, here is the simple solution:
Flag as inappropriateChange the Fill to 0%, now it works :]
Enjoy~
ok seriously guys am i just not getting it? i have done everything step by step?
Flag as inappropriatethis tutorial is not really helping – sorry
Flag as inappropriateWorked Beautifully thx babs ^.^ now i have fantastic badges
Flag as inappropriateVery very nice tut. Thnx to you all guys Im learning alot more about PS. Stunning effect… Cheers
Flag as inappropriategood job man… I followed it step by step and it looks cool. cheers man.
Flag as inappropriateIn Step 2, where’s the description for the drop shadow and inner glow procedures?…
Flag as inappropriateStraightforward and interesting – thanks for taking the time to explain:)
Flag as inappropriategood tut man it helped alot my outcome was great! thanks again
Flag as inappropriateCan’t do the last step. Any help please?
Flag as inappropriateVery good!!!!!
Flag as inappropriateHelp me, I do not understand step 6
Flag as inappropriateExcellent tutorial. Thank you.
Flag as inappropriateVery nice tutorial… Thks!
Flag as inappropriateHey, what a nice tutorial are you doing here….! :)
But can you explain more detail the 6th step?
Please adjust it! Thanks
Flag as inappropriateWow great badge, maybe this technique is the one used here by the ones making those badges in the market… hehehehe
Flag as inappropriateyes, i did all the steps up to 5. but i can’t do number 6. the picture that i put below the badge was hide behind the all the circle/badge. please post the correction. thanks!
niweys, great badge :)
Flag as inappropriateI am struggling at step 4, i cant get the points to appear around the elipse? im going to try it again, but when i hold ctrl and click with pen tool… nothing happens. thanks in advance
Flag as inappropriateHi have tried this numerous times. Its a great tutorial but I can’t seem to get the pentool bit on step four (to adjust the elipse) I have clicked inside of it but don’t get any thing. The other thing is whaen you make the black elipse in the middle before positioning when I move it I get a black shadow. Can any one help. I am new to photoshop but I would love to do this badge. Thank you.
Flag as inappropriatevery good nice :D
thank you ~
Flag as inappropriateI cant add a layer mask. I did this tut before and it turned out great.
After I ctrl + click my base layer and image, my “layer mask” greys out.
Flag as inappropriateNice tut.
Follow step six word for word and you will get the result.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial…thanks for the share
Flag as inappropriateCan you post the PSD??
Flag as inappropriateNO offense but this not vector, because when i will resize the badges the layer bending will get messed up. Do you have solution for that.
Flag as inappropriatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics
Flag as inappropriatei wanna ask, why @ the 2nd step, i couldn’t get the same result as yours? the black shadow (inside n outside) only appear on a few part of my badges. huhuhu
Flag as inappropriatethx anway =)
u provide a very great tutorial =)
I did all the steps. I can’t do the 6th one. I use photoshop 7.
Flag as inappropriateWooHoo! This was awesome! It’s the first tut I’ve been able to do in PS! All I’ve been able to do so far is run an action.
Flag as inappropriateThank you so much!
I use cs2, and I could only follow your instructions regarding the canvas size and the circle, blending, however I encountered the following:
Flag as inappropriateblending options did not have options such angle/ distance etc. I could only multiply and change opacity….however when I changed it…the circle was all but faded…also the shadows only affected the canvas and the circle….what am i doing wrong?
@Kathy: You know, I think Fredrik is actually in the process of moving… So we probably can’t get the PSD listed at this point. I’d suggest giving the tutorial another go, and asking for help if you run into problems. When Fredrik returns, I’ll see if he can put it up.
Flag as inappropriatehey umm do u have the psd available for this one??
Flag as inappropriateVery very nice tutorial
Flag as inappropriategorgeous
Flag as inappropriatean easier way to get the image in the button is to (keep the opacity @100) turn the “Fill” down to 0%. Th=hen you can move your button around any image and see through it. Then drag the rest to your layer mask to erase it!
Flag as inappropriateGlad you figured out your problem Fay =) It’s always OK to ask questions here!
Flag as inappropriateoooops… sorry! trouble solved!!
Flag as inappropriateI’m glad I was able to get it right by myself! But thanks once again. xx
Great lesson! Really enjoyable!
Flag as inappropriateI wish you keep on going successfully with this website.
The only trouble: my “add layer mask” is not hiding anything outside the badge… what am I supposed to do? Everything went ok with this one but the last step. Thanks!
Got a little prob…
Flag as inappropriateWhen I make the circle with pen tool selected by using elipse tool, I can’t add effects unless I fill the path. So…it can get the effects, but then if I scale it, it doesn’t stay nice, get’s pixelated..
Secondly, when I add the layer mask to the badge, I can’t drag the image inside, no matter what I do, and I tried making a clippin mask, but then the image looks to bright, as though the white has been doubled. A little help!
Other than that, a great tut. Well done, can’t wait for the The School fo Photoshop! 9th Grade…
Good tutorial, it tutorial was chosen for the main page of http://www.tutorialsroom.com and under Photoshop tutorials. Please feel free to submit more of your good tutorials using this link: http://www.tutorialsroom.com/tutorials/submit_tutorials.html
Keep on the good work :)
Flag as inappropriateVery Nice and practical Tut Dude!
Flag as inappropriateRegards
@ Blueline Design
You’re right, the layer effects such as the glows will have to be changed depending on size. But that’s quite easy to do, a very simple fix if you need to change the size (you will also need to use a higher resolution for the “content” of the badge, so the layer effects are the easiest thing to modify after a size change).
However, I must also reply to your comment about vector only being a product of Illustrator — this is simply not true. The Pen Tool (in all it’s forms) are vector graphics, even in Photoshop. If I make an art piece with the Pen Tool in Photoshop and then open it in Illustrator I will have the all layers and shapes intact and will look just as sharp no matter how much I zoom/resize the image. I agree that the word “vector” is being misused way too often, but so is the myth that Photoshop can’t produce true vector graphics.
Flag as inappropriateMy only nitpick is that this isn’t really “vector” based. You’re still inside of Photoshop and not Illustrator, where going to print would make vector sizing essential. What you will find when resizing these to varying sizes is that the integrity of the bubble effect will change. This happens when you have open layer effects on layers and then resize them. For example, a 20 pixel outer glow might work for a 300 pixel radius circle, but when you reduce it to 100 pixels in size, the outer glow will be noticeably too big. You can “apply layer style” to the layer to change this. THe adding of a layer mask does not imply any vector attributes. Sorry, I just feel that the word “vector” is thrown around too much and is misused. Vector implies a specific format mainly utilized by Illustrator that maintains resolution and scale at any size.
Flag as inappropriateBrilliant tutorial. Thanks, will certainly come in handy.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tut! Can i just ask which photoshop you used for this tutorial? I have CS2 currently but this one looks a bit different.
Flag as inappropriateNice tutorial.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial – can’t wait to give it a shot!
Flag as inappropriateI think I may make some to add to my site of free graphics!
Thanks for the tutorial. it´s always nice to find useful stuff like this!!!
Regards from Mexico.
Flag as inappropriateBest button tutorial I’ve seen, thanks.
Flag as inappropriateOn step 4 i can’t seem to move the elipse with the pen tool (im using cs2 if this makes any difference)i can’t draw an elipse with the pen tool i can only do it with the elpise tool if that makes any sense.
Flag as inappropriate@NBT – Our authors are working hard to publish tutorials for all levels of designers for our big launch coming soon ;)
Flag as inappropriateWhy dont u make some more harder tutorials, greycobra had some cool stuff
Flag as inappropriate@Peotto
Thanks!
Flag as inappropriateI use Photoshop CS3, on a Mac.
Great tut! Can i just ask which photoshop you used for this tutorial? I have CS2 currently but this one looks a bit different.
Flag as inappropriateNice tutorial Fredrik!
And nice explanation on how you worked with images on the buttons Stacy. That’s certainly an easy way to handle positioning.
Flag as inappropriateHey Stacy, you’re right. I forgot the step of reducing the size of the first highlight layer to 90%. I will add this to the tutorial.
The way you handle the badge content is a great alternative to my method. I wanted to show an easy and fast way to add the content, but your way is obviously more flexible.
Thanks,
Flag as inappropriateFredrik aka Molnies
You can also just fill the image layer with a mask the size of the button.
Flag as inappropriateThis was a pretty sweet tutorial. I think I may have missed something at the end of step 3, because I didn’t get the photo you have. After setting the opacity to 30%, I transformed the shape to 90% width and height to get what you got.
Also, at the end I created another layer between background, pressed ctrl and clicked on the shape of the base layer, filled the new layer with a color. After that, I created a new layer above my fill layer, copied my button image onto that layer, and then created a clipping mask (hold alt, move your mouse cursor between your fill layer and button-image layer – click between the layers after the clipping mask icon appears).
This will allow you to move your image around to get it in the perfect position after you create the mask.
Awesome tutorial Fredrik!
Flag as inappropriateExactly what I was looking for. Thanks.
Flag as inappropriate