[mommashouse]

Would anyone be so kind as to throw together a quick step by step guide detailing how to make a reflective dock in photoshop?? I have tried numerous times, and apparently just don't have the mental capacity to do it right. My images are sized wrong among other problems. Thank you, whoever you are, in advance!!

[cpjr]

Well, length for the dock image would be 320 pixels (if your going completely across the screen)....otherwise its your call. As with height, depends on what your looking for.

You could send me the file to edit a little for you....or specifically explain your problems and I will help you.

[mommashouse]

Here is a screenshot of my current setup...I already have the dock so I am not making it from scratch or anything, (although I think it would look nice a little darker, but I am getting off subject). I have tried lining up the individual images over a screenshot, etc. etc. and when I think I have it done correctly, I put it on my phone, and the dock itself is positioned wrong, and the icons aren't "clean". There is stuff around them, I really can't explain it better. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the photoshop abomination I created because I promptly threw it in the trash so that no one could ever see my work lol.

[cpjr]

Umm, best I can tell you is you have to keep in mind....the area on the iphone for the dock is set. So, if you want to "move" the dock you will have to "move" the image you create on the "canvas" in photoshop. Think of the "canvas" as the outside box...with an inside box (the dock) and you want it a little more to the left for example, move the "inside box" closer to the left of the "outside box".

The "stuff" around the icons, without looking at them I would assume you havent set the "background" transperency correctly. But, again. Its speculation without looking at it.

Google "Photoshop tutorials"...there are plenty on the web to get you going.

PS- It always works best when doing icons, to "merge visible" before you save them...instead of "flatten image", it will leave any background "trash" out.

[mommashouse]

OK....I gave it another go, and....well, here are my brilliant photoshop skills... The first image is what it looks like in photoshop, and the second one is obviously what it looks like on the phone. I know it has something to do with the dimensions I am saving the dock as, but I can't for the life of me get it right!!!!

[cpjr]

If you'll save the dock in .psd format and PM it to me I will take a look at it 2morrow. If you want.

[NathR32]

MacThemes Forum / [How to] Making a Reflected Dock on FW 2.x