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Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon

Jun 19, 2007

Web 2.0 Icons are every where. On websites coming into programs. This icons are graphics that have reflective shadows and look really cool. But how do you do them for country Icons. Heres how. Click any of the image to enlarge them.

You will need:

Photoshop or Similar
A Flag photo
Time

1) The first step is to set up your canvas, I chose a nice large size of 500 x 500 to get the best effect . The bigger the better because more detail can be added to the image.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon2)

The next step is to find a picture of a flag on the internet. I chose, the Union Jack. Paste this into Photoshop.

3)

Centre your flag as necessary. You are trying to capture the centre part of the flag.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
4)

Using the centre marquee tool draw a circle around the centre of the flag. Using the shift key to keep the aspect ratio correct. In Photoshop use space to arrange the circle as necessary.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
5)

Copy and paste the centre circle onto a new layer. You can get rid of the original flag layer.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
6)

The next step is to add the layer effects to the circle layer. This is done in 3 parts. Inner glow, Bevel and Emboss, and finally a Stoke.

Use the inner glow, set the colour to white and size to 20.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
7)

With the Bevel, set the size to 200 and if necessary reduce the opacity of the black. You don't want the shadow to be too dark.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
8)

This is usually an optional extra but looks good if you do it. Add a stoke to the layer. The main colour of the flag is used.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon9)

Once this is done, you have to add the main highlights that give the best effect. To do this create two new layers and turn them into a clipping mask. Two layers are used so you can adjust the opacity as needed.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
10)

Using the marquee tool again, draw and ellipse at the top of the image. Add a white to invisible layer on to this clipping mask. Adjust the opacity as necessary.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
11)

Do the same with the shadow layer. The opacity of this layer usually needs to be vastly reduced to get a good effect.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
12)

Grab both layers and rotate them slightly to the left.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
13)

This part is used to create the reflective shadow.

Merge all of the current layers and copy it. You should have two layers. If needed remove the white background.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
14)

Flip the layer vertically and position underneath.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
15)

Create a layer mask, to reveal all. Then add a gradient fill to gently remove the opactiy as shown. This may take a couple of goes to get right.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
There you go an Uber looking web 2.0 flag icon.

Creating A Web 2.0 Flag Icon
You can of course do this with other flags. And the effects are really cool. Shown below from left to right are: United Kindom, United States of America, South Korea, Earthican flag (Futurama).

Flag icons

8 comments:

laptop said...

Can i get the PSD for thsi?

James Powell said...

Dam

I'm so sorry mate I can't find it, I only have the final jpg which is at the bottom of the page.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I think there's too much reflection - reflection is a key part of these icons and it can make or break an icon.

Great tut!

Anonymous said...

What version of photoshop are you using? I'm using 5.5 and think its outdated now.

Anonymous said...

говно (russian)

Anonymous said...

I think that it is a good way to get the effect but because of the sharpness of the highlight and the shadow it can only work for small icons.

James Powell said...

Yeah there are always pros and cons, thanks for commenting.

Anonymous said...

Hey, great website design, dude!
Cheers..