This tutorial is sutible even for beginners. Using these techniques, you can create cool looking brushed aluminum style buttons.

1. Create a new file (80x40, white background).



2. Create a new layer, call it 'Noise' & make the fill type 'Transparent'.



3. With the noise layer selected use the 'Hurl' filter (right click image > Filters > Noise > Hurl) set the randomization to 50% and the repeat to 1.



The result should look something like this:



4. Adjust the color levels (right click > Image > Colors > Levels) adjust the input levels all the way to the right.



The result should look something like this, with all the noise being black:



5. Apply the 'Motion Blur' filter (right click > Filters > Blur > Motion Blur) set the blur type to linear, length 10, angle 0. Then merger the noise & backgroud layers.



The result should look something like this:



6. Using the 'Rectangular Selection' tool, select an area five pixels from the edges of the image. Copy selection & create a new layer called 'Button' & paste the selection into the new layer.



7. Double click the 'Dodge or Burn' tool (it looks like a magnifying glass with the glass part colored in). Select the type 'Dodge' & mode 'Highlight'.



8. Select a hard brush size 8 pixel. Click the upper-left corner of the image hold down on the shift key & click on the upper-right corner of the image. Repeat this process until you get the desired 'highlight'. Then do the same to the left side of the image.



9. Double click on the 'Dodge or Burn tool again, this time selecting 'Burn'. Click on the lower-left corner of the image hold down on the shift key & click on the lower-right corner of the image. Repeat this process until you get the desired 'shadow'. Then do the same to the right side of the image.



10. Select a hard brush size 9 pixel. Click each corner of the image. This will give the corners of the buttons a nice rounded edge. This image can be used as-is for a good looking button.



11. Make a new layer below the 'Button' layer called 'border' & make the fill type white.



12. Right click the 'Button' Layer & choose 'Alpha to Selection' then 'Grow' (right click > Selection > Grow) by three pixel. Make a 'Border' (right click > Select > Border) of three pixel.
13. Make the 'Border' layer active & invert the Selection (right click > Select > Invert). Fill the selection with black. Deselect the selection (right click > Select > None).



14. Adjust the color levels (right click > Image > Colors > Levels) adjust the input levels only change the first box to 90. Adjust the output levels only change the last box to 200. (Or you can change them however you wish.)



The result should look something like this:



15. To put text on the image, create a new layer then use the 'Text Tool' & write some text. Place the text on the image where you want it.



16. Right click the 'Text Layer' & choose 'Alpha to Selection' then 'Feather' (right click > Selection > Feather) by one pixel. Make a new layer just below the this layer.
17. Fill the selection with white. Use the move tool to move the white text down & right one pixel each. This makes a highlight. Change this layer's mode to 'Overlay'.