[Photoshop][Pic Heavy] Glowing Text Effect
Example of the style we're trying to achieve:
http://i47.tinypic.com/k4utdx.jpg
1. Create a new document, 600x250 with a dark background.
I used #212121, you could also use a dark gray to black gradient.
http://i45.tinypic.com/2d1dl0.jpg
2. Add white text, rasterize it and duplicate it twice.(I used the 'Birth of a Hero' font, it's free, and looks great, highly recommended.)
http://i45.tinypic.com/29bij5u.jpg
3. Hide the original layer, and with your first duplicated text layer, add a gradient overlay, and arrange it so each letter has one main color.
http://i46.tinypic.com/1582fzs.jpg
4. Duplicate the gradient layer, and move the duplicate over all the other layers. Give the first gradient layer a soft blur (4.5) and your top gradient layer a harder one (7-9).
Now you should have your layers arranged like this:
Gradient
White text
Gradient
White text
http://i48.tinypic.com/2qmjn29.jpg
5. Create a path, twirling around your first letter. Stroke it on a new layer with a 10-sized brush, using the main color for that letter.
Repeat for each letter.
http://i49.tinypic.com/qqo8ki.jpg
6. Apply a white inner glow to your stroke layer, and erase parts of your stroke to give a dipping and rising effect.
This is the end result:
http://i46.tinypic.com/ogmhw6.jpg
