Creating a glassy button in Photoshop
This tutorial builds a glossy button from rounded rectangles, Layer Style effects, a mask and a reflected copy.
1. Create the document and select Rounded Rectangle
Create a new file such as GlassyButton.psd and select the Rounded Rectangle Tool.
2. Set the corner radius
Choose the rounded-corner radius you want from the Options bar.
3. Draw the base shape
Set the foreground color and draw the main rounded rectangle for the button.
4. Apply Stroke and Inner Shadow
Open Layer Style and configure Stroke and Inner Shadow. The original tutorial shows the settings across the following screenshots.
5. Add a smaller rectangle
Create a new layer and draw a second rounded rectangle smaller than the base.
6. Mask and fade the highlight
Add a Layer Mask to the new layer, choose the Gradient Tool and drag across the rectangle to create a glossy fade.
7. Duplicate and flip
Duplicate the relevant layer and use Transform to flip the duplicated shape vertically.
8. Add text to finish
The glossy button is ready. Add your button label or other text on top.
Further Reading
Subhendu Mohapatra
Author & Instructor at plus2net
I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.
