Step 1 - Open a new file, make it a rather large, transparent file. If you plan to make this text on a patterned or gradient background you can fill the background later. It is best to leave it transparent so you can see the steps as you progress. The layer name will be Raster 1

Activate the text tool. make sure the text tool is set for Vector text. Set the colors in the Materials palette so that the color that you want the text is on the Background color chip and white is on the Foreground color chip.

Now place your text on the canvas and make any adjustments in size and location of the text. Once you have the text placed click the little arrows on the Material palette so that the Foreground and Background colors switch places.

Layer Menu View

Step 3 - Click on the selections menu and choose From Vector Object. Now there should be a marquee around your Vector text shape. Click the Selections menu and choose Load / Save Selection and choose Save Selection to Alpha Channel. The Alpha channel will pop up to confirm the selection, it will be Selection# 1, no need to rename the selection. Click the Delete layer icon in the Layer palette. Add a new layer so the selection is sitting on Raster 2.

This is how your canvas should look:

Add a new layer to the canvas.

Step 4 - This next step uses one of the useful new features of Paint Shop Pro 8, Select selection Borders. Under the Selections menu you choose Modify> Select selection Borders to bring up the dialog. In this case choose Both sides, Anti-alias, and a Border width of 5. (Note: For a skinnier text adjust the Border width accordingly.)

Now click the Selections menu and choose Modify>Feather and Feather the selection by 4, again adjusting for a skinnier text.

Feather Selection Dialog

This selection will also be saved to the the Alpha channel, it will name itself Selection #2.

Step 7 - Now that you have the selection loaded and expanded you will use one of the Blur features. From the Adjust menu choose Blur> Gaussian Blur. Set the Blur to a Radius of 4 and click ok. Again if your text is skinnier adjust the Radius accordingly.

Click the Selections menu and choose Invert. Press the Delete key on your keyboard to clear the selection then Selections>Select None. That is Raster 2.

Layer Palette

Step 9 - With the Color layer active load Selection #1 from the Alpha Channel. Use the Fill tool to fill with the color that you chose for the text. Selections>Select None. That is the Color layer.

Set the Blend Mode of Raster 2 to Overlay.

Step 11 - At this point you will add a Drop Shadow to Raster 2. Click the Effects menu. Effects>3D Effects> Drop Shadow. Another new feature in Paint Shop Pro 8 is the ability to add the shadow to a new layer giving you a great deal of control. Choose a Vertical and Horizontal Offset of 12. Again adjusting for a smaller text size. In the Attributes dialog adjust the Opacity to 74 and the Blur to near 6. For the shadow color simply move the mouse over to your image and click to choose the darkest shade in the image. Click OK and your drop shadow is placed on a new layer. To move the shadow around activate it's layer and choose the Deform tool. The Deform tool will put handles around the layer so that you can move it, size it, rotate it, and even add perspective.

I have created a script that completes all of these steps for you, click here if you want to download it. You will have less control over the size of the bevel but it might be fun to play around with!

Step 12 - Add a new layer on top of Raster 2. Load Selection #1 from the Alpha Channel. Click the Selections menu and choose Modify> Contract. Contract the selection by around 11 pixels. Fill the selection with white. Selections>Select None

Step 13 - Add a Gaussain blur to the selection with a Radius of 3. Set the Blend Mode of the layer to Dodge and reduce the Opacity to around 40.

This will be the basis for your main lighting on the text.

Contract Selection dialog

Blurred

Step 14 - Add a new layer. Load selection #1 from the Alpha Channel. Fill with white. Click the Selections menu and choose Modify > Contract. Contract the selection by 2 pixels then press the Delete key on your keyboard to clear the selected area. Selections>Select None. Click the Adjust menu choose Blur> Gaussian blur and type in .5.

Filled with white

Step 15 - Click the Deform tool . Using the keyboard arrows, press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard while you tap the up arrow six times and the right arrow 6 times to move the white highlight. Load Selection #1 from the Alpha Channel. Click the selections menu and choose invert. Press the Delete key to clear away the contents.

Now holding down the CTRL key tap the left arrow 7 times and the down arrow 6 times to place the highlight.

(Oops you caught me on that I stopped writing this tutorial last night and then could not remember the font I had used!)

Moved Layer

Step 17- Next you will add a bottom light. Add a new layer. Load Selection # 1 from the Alpha Channel. Fill the selection with white. Contract the selection by 4 pixels and press the Delete key on your keyboard to clear the contents. Next make a selection with the Rectangular selection as seen here set it to Feather 4, Anti-alias. Press the Delete key on your keyboard to clear the contents. Use the Deform tool to move the "light" as seen here.

Set the layer Blend Mode to Dodge and add a Gaussian Blur of 3.

Step 18 - Finally use the Eraser tool to clean up and stray edges or blocky edges. Make layer adjustments to get the effect you want. Here are the setting for this example.