Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Tutorial: Create the OS X 'Aqua' look in Photoshop

Posted by Hemos on from the making-it-purty dept.

Sarah Green writes "I Heart New York: X Icons, offers a handy tutorial on how to use Photoshop to create that Aqua look that appeals to so many Macintosh OS X users. They've also got a bunch of free Pop-Culture icons for download: Andy Warhol, Bewitched, Gumby, Tintin, Radiohead etc. Worth a look."

18 comments

  1. Isn't this illegal? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They're reverse-engineering Apple's Intellectual Property. This guy's just begging to be arrested under the DMCA.

    1. Re:Isn't this illegal? by tarzan353 · · Score: 0

      He isn't copying the user interface- he's just showing how to make icons that correspond with the Aqua look and feel, which Apple encourages.

      There's a big difference.

  2. Photoshop action by JackSim · · Score: 4, Informative

    Also check out http://www.pixeljerk.com/.

    They have a Photoshop action for creating Aqua buttons.

    1. Re:Photoshop action by toblak · · Score: 1

      Maybe I'm in the minority, but as soon as I started using OSX, I was searching the web for GUI themes to get rid of the "Aqua look".

    2. Re:Photoshop action by mshurpik · · Score: 1

      Maybe I'm in the minority, but as soon as I started using OSX, I was searching the web for GUI themes to get rid of the "Aqua look".

      No, you're not in the minority. Just a minority among people who own apples.

  3. uhh? by paradesign · · Score: 1

    Shouldnt they be doing something original?
    Aqua is on like every site i go to these days. Hell, even /. uses it, jeeze!

    --
    I want 2D games back.
  4. And then there's IB... by PythonOrRuby · · Score: 1

    Just create the interface you're looking for(buttons and such) in Interface Builder, "test" the interface, and take a screenshot. Voila!

  5. Aquatint by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    go to versiontracker and search for Aquatint. it makes it very easy (and a lot less TIME COMSUMING) to make aqua stuff. all you do is supplu an image with a alpha, and the app does the rest, comes out very nice!!

  6. fFunny .. by skotte · · Score: 3, Informative

    I have a couple gimp scripts to do this in the blink of an eye!
    http://isweb6.infoseek.co.jp/computer/wingimp/file s/script/

  7. Thanks man ! by Gopal.V · · Score: 1

    I was looking around for a GIMP plugin to do just that !

    --
    Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur
  8. How did was it done on Slashdot? by xophos · · Score: 1

    I noticed a few days ago, that Slashdot looks "aquatic" every time there is an osx story.
    Does anyone know who did this look and how?
    It looks by far better than the original.

    1. Re:How did was it done on Slashdot? by mshurpik · · Score: 1

      I noticed a few days ago, that Slashdot looks "aquatic" every time there is an osx story.
      Does anyone know who did this look and how?
      It looks by far better than the original.

      No, it does not look better. It looks the SAME. There are still rounded corners, three columns, and massive clutter - all hallmarks of the inept web designer.

      The only difference is gray lines, fading, and a metal-polish filter. Arbitrary post-processing. Your mac-addled brain can't tell the difference.

    2. Re:How did was it done on Slashdot? by xophos · · Score: 1

      i meant better than the original osx not better than the original slashdot.

  9. Adobe has a good selection of Aqua actions by mkelley · · Score: 1

    Go to xchange.studio.adobe.com and search for "aqua" and there are about 33 different actions.

    --

    m.kelley
    life is like a freeway, if you don't look you could miss it.
  10. Doris Day?? by swein515 · · Score: 1

    That's it- I have to abandon OS X.