Lesson#25-Speedometer Design From Scratch

Draw the speedometer (Speedometer Design From Scratch)

In this lesson we will look at how easily and quickly you can draw a speedometer. You know what a text on a path, how to use the tool Pen, how to work with layers, shapes, and more. So, let's begin.

That's what we'll do:


create a document
Create a new document (Ctrl + N) of 800 x 600 pixels, the background color of any. Specify the working color # 353535, # 161616 background color, choose a tool Gradient (G), note the settings on the panel "radial gradient".

Extend a gradient from the center to the edge of the document.
It should look something like this:

Draw the scale of the speedometer

In each division there is a speedometer showing how fast you are going. We can paint them with vector masks and paths, but there's an easier way - to use a circular contour and text.
Select the tool Ellipse, on the Options bar celebrating Paths.

Middle create our document outline of a circle.
Hint:
Hold down Shift, when drawing a circle, it will help to create exactly smooth, perfect circle, not an ellipse.
(Note: another hint from the translator: Settings panel hides menus Ellipse options (drop-down list in green on the figure above), where you can specify that the terms we will have it all around, and not an ellipse, and also specify the creation of the figure of center and all sorts of other goodies).

So, we drew a circle, Now select the Type (T). Move your cursor over the circle, and you'll notice that the cursor changes its appearance and is similar to a number of locations along the curve. When the cursor changes to a form, we click the left mouse button and start typing. The text will be placed along the path.
Select the font Verdana, size 12 pixels, and add some vertical lines using the appropriate symbol on the keyboard.

Then select every fifth line and increase it, changing the font size to 18 pixels. The figure clearly shows it all.

When all the lines are ready, select the last group of lines and repaint them red.

Using the familiar technique, create another round contour slightly smaller diameter, located inside the first, and with the Type tool is placed on a contour point.
(Note: For convenience, you can go to the tab Paths, select the menu Edit> Transform path> Scale and change the size of the circle, asking, for example, 95%).

Finally, to give the scale of the speedometer finished look, add the numbers and any additional text to your discretion.


Draw the inner circle of the speedometer

Select the tool Ellipse (U) on the new layer located underneath the scale, draw a circle. It should be a little larger than our scale with graduations

Next, apply to the resulting range of the following effects:




When you add a gradient fill, displace the center of the gradient up to the left, holding the mouse while holding down the left mouse in our circle.

That's what we should be able to:

Draw the outer circle chrome


We again use the tool Ellipse (U) and draw another circle, again slightly larger than the previous. Layer with a new range should be under the previous layer.

Apply for this layer the following effects:












It should look something like this:

We turn to the creation of the speedometer. Let's start from the base.

With the Ellipse tool draw a small circle in the center of our speedometer.

We perform
 above this layer the following manipulations:

 


Here's what you should have:

Again select the tool Ellipse (U) and draw a small circle of white color (# ffffff) in the previous round. Set the opacity of 5%.

Draw the speedometer

With the Ellipse tool draw a small circle inside a circle, created in the previous step.

Then select the tool Pen, on the Options bar click on the icon Paths and Add to Shape Area («Add to area figures").


Slightly increase our drawing on the Layers palette click on the layer mask and draw an arrow from her on one side of the circle and ending on the other.

After that apply to this layer the following effects:







We need to get something like that:


Revive our drawing, adding glare

And finally, I'll show you how to add flare. Choose a tool Polygonal Lasso (L) and make a selection as shown below:

Fill the selection with white (# ffffff) (note - previously a good idea to create a new layer) and then load the selection of the inner circle of the speedometer.

Hint:
In order to quickly get the selection of the object, simply click on its icon in the Layers, hold down Ctrl. Another way - to choose from the menu Select> Load Selection.

Now go to the menu Select> Inverse (Ctrl + Shift + I), and remove the excess by pressing Del. We must remain part of the white piece, the limited range of the speedometer.

Again select the Polygonal Lasso Tool and make a selection in the middle of the white figure. Remove this selection by pressing the Del.

Next, add a gradient fill, leaving the fill by default, and set the opacity of 5%. It should look something like this:

Now we will draw a big highlight on the rim of our speedometer. We use the tool Elliptical Marquee (M) and create an ellipse on the outer circle at the top left of the speedometer. Fill the selection with white (# ffffff).

Choose from the menu Edit> Transform> Warp, from the drop down menu choose Arc.

Move the anchor point so as to obtain curved shape, and then by using the Free Transform (Ctrl + T) rotate it so that it matches the curve of the outer circle.

Blur the resulting shape by going to Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur and specify the radius of 3-4 pixels. Set the opacity of the layer to about 70%.

conclusion

Well, we have completed this lesson. I hope you enjoyed it. You can continue it, using the technique mastered, draw a tachometer, or any other part of the dashboard, for example those little glowing symbols, or fuel gauge.