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This lesson demonstrates how to create stained glass effects. The stained glass can be created with Photoshop gradients; alternatively, download my three seamless patterns (ruby, emerald and clear) Here. Unzip the files and install them into Photoshop’s Patterns folder - from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Define Pattern.
My tutorial here demonstrates how to create stained glass backgrounds from scratch.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
Note
I have already converted my stained glass images into seamless patterns; additionally, for my silver outdoor - oxidised lead effect, I used an Eyecandy Impact (chrome) effect.
For the non oxidised lead inside airtight glazed units, I applied a Photoshop Bevel and Emboss filter.
1/
Open a New document, and set the following attributes - set a higher Resolution if you plan to print your work.
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Then activate the Horizontal Type Tool - Horizontal Type Tool Lesson.
And utilising an outlined font, apply your type. Alternatively, apply a font that is not outlined, as explained in my lesson here.
Note:
If your lead is to be oxidised (silver - Eyecandy 5 Impact filter), ensure your type is
white.
If your lead is to be natural (dark), ensure your type is black.
Thickening an outlined font
When choosing an outlined font, to thicken its outline, right-click its layer (in the Layers palette), then choose Duplicate Layer from the drop-down list. I repeated this. Then from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Merge Visible. The outlined font in the following screen capture is Army Hollow.
After you have applied the outlined type, you are ready for the next step.
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From the toolbar, activate the Line Tool.
And set the following attributes. Remember, for silver lead, ensure Colour is set to White, and for natural lead, set it to Black. Additionally, Weight settings are dependent on the width of your (outlined) lead - and should equal its width.
Tip
If you make a mistake; from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Step Backwards, or click an earlier snapshot in the History palette.
Tip
To zoom in, from the top menu choose View then choose Zoom in.
Now, drag (and stretch) a line across the type, as shown here. 
Note
When you have applied the line, (and before you release the left mouse button), it has a certain amount of manoeuvrability. This means, although the start of your line (image one) remains where it is, you can swivel the rest of line to any angle, (image two). Additionally, it can be stretched to any length.
 
And as soon as you release your left mouse button, the line will change to the following.
Ensure your line reaches the outlined type, and ensure it does not transcend the type. Now, continue applying the lead in a style you like.
Note: each line application is automatically applied to a new layer, and as such, each line can be repositioned with the Move Tool, if necessary.
 
When this is complete your type (and Layers palette) will resemble the following.
 
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From the top menu, choose Layer then choose Merge Visible.
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It is time to convert your outlined type to lead; therefore, for the metallic effect, from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Eyecandy Impact then choose Chrome, and choose a setting you like. I chose the Factory Default settings.
Alternatively, for a natural not oxidised lead, click the following Add a Layer style
(f -fx) icon at the foot of the Layers palette - and choose Bevel and Emboss from the drop-down list.
These are my settings, Here.
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From the toolbar, activate the Magic Wand Tool.
And set the following attributes.
Then left-click inside your choice of segments, to isolate them with a selection marquee. I am beginning with the red stained glass, and I am surrounding the following segments with a marquee.
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To fill your segments with my Fiery Red stained glass tile, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose New Fill Layer then choose Pattern. In the subsequent New Layer dialogue box, click OK.
Your segment will automatically fill with a pattern that was last used - or saved.
Now, to fill your segment with a different pattern, in the subsequent Pattern Fill dialogue box (displayed below), do not click OK. Instead, click the tiny black triangle, highlighted immediately below left, then scroll your patterns library; then locate and double left-click, to set the pattern of your choice. Then click OK. Your selected segment (s), will now fill with your chosen pattern.
Stained Glass from Gradients
Gradients create fantastic stained glass effects; to fill your type with gradients, instead of my stained glass patterns - from the top menu, choose Layer then choose New Fill Layer then choose Gradient. Lesson.
8/ Important
From the top menu, choose Layer then choose Merge Visible - this must be carried out after each layer fill.
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Now, remove the marquee, (top menu Select then Deselect), then repeat Chapters 5 and 6. This time filling the transparent segments with emerald (or clear), stained glass tiles.
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Finish by applying a Drop Shadow, by activating the Add a layer style f-fx icon at the foot of the Layers palette, and this time, choose Drop Shadow from the list. Note: I utilised the default settings.
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To fill the transparent background with a Solid Colour, Pattern or Gradient, link Here. Link Here to learn how to optimise and save images.
Tip
To smooth the type’s edges, (if necessary), from the toolbar, activate the Blur Tool, and set a Strength of around 2-6. Now, gently smooth away ragged edges.
Stained Glass Custom Shapes
To fill a Custom Shape with stained glass patterns (or gradients), apply a shape to your canvas - ensuring the shape is outlined. Custom Shape Tutorial.
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After you have applied your outlined shape; from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Rasterise then choose Shape. Now, surround some of its transparent segments with the Magic Wand tool, as demonstrated in Chapter 5. And fill them with your choice of pattern or gradient. Remember to Merge Visible the layers after each fill.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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