Low-Poly Text Effect Using Photoshop [<10 MIN] [BEGINNERS]

Low-poly is the latest and hottest trend in graphic designing. This is very very easy. I am 14yo only and i did this, I am sure you can also. In this Step-By-Step instruct able I will teach you how to create Low Poly text using Photoshop. In other words it is text written by adjacent Polygon shapes. The Text that I have chosen is downloaded from Creative market. I got it free as, a Free Good Of The Week from Creative Market. I like this text specially as it had that geek 8-Bit Look. Well, there are 100s if not 1000s of fonts available at Creative Market. You may choose any.

Step 1: Materials Needed

1. Adobe Photoshop (You may use any) [I will be using CS6 here]
2. Creative Market's Extruded Type Style [Got For Free as Free Good of The Week] (It is a 5 Font Pack but ycan choose any 1 or you can write different words with different fonts)
3. Triangulator App [Makes Project Less Time Consuming]

Step 2: Setting Up Photoshop Workspace

1. Open Photoshop
2. From Menu bar [The Bar at Top of Screen] Choose File > Click New...
3. On Clicking New..., a Window called 'New' will open.
4. What has to be done in that 'New' Box, I have provided a screenshot in image above.
   • Change Name to 'Low Poly Text'
   • Change Preset to 'International Paper'
   • Change Size to 'A3'
5. If u have done this, click Okay.
6. A Blank White A3 Size paper would Open on Screen.

Step 3: INSTALLING FONTS

Before writing Text we need to Install Fonts.

STEPS:

• Download these 5 Font File From Creative Market [Got it for free under Free Goods of The week Scheme]
• To install the fonts open the Extruded Type Styles Folder > Demo > Fonts > Click on Fonts You want to Install > Install
• NOTE:See images for more clarity. In the last image i chose Munro Narrow font. Tho you can choose any other font to install

Step 4: Writing the Text

1. Click on the Horizontal Type Tool in the Bar on left or just press 'T' on keyboard.
2. Click on anywhere on the White Sheet Area and Start Typing. [I wrote 'My First Low Poly Text Art' just to teach you guys, write whatever, but not too much as it would be difficult later on]
3. Select the text you have written by clicking on the text 4 times.
4. from the bar which is below the name of adobe Photoshop CSx, You can change the following:
   • Choose Font, I chose Munro Narrow Font [You may even choose any of the other 4 fonts or any other font from Creative Market]
   • Choose Alignment, I chose Centre Alignment [Looks Better, But it's your choice]
   • Choose Size, I chose 240 pt, as it fits my sheet completely [You choose the size in which the text covers your sheet]
   • Choose Colour, don't choose now, as it will have to be changed later anyways.
5. Using the Move Tool (V) Move the written text to fit your page.

Step 5: The Confusing Part [i.e. Creating Colour Layer With Main Text Selection]

These STEPS are a little tricky and I have explained better in images attached. So please view them after each step.

STEPS:

1. On the Left Side of the Screen Under 'New In CS6' U will find the Layers Tab.
   
2. Open Layers tab [ See the image attached to see what your Layers Tab should look like till now ] (There should be 2 layers, one of Background, another of Text)
3. While pressing Command Button Click on the 'T' in the layers tab, where T is the Thumbnail of the TEXT layer.I have explained this step in Image 3 of this step. As I am not able to describe it.
4. Now create a New Layer by pressing the new Layer button on left side of Trash Button in bottom of Layers Tab. I have explained this step also in Image 3 of this step As I am not able to describe it.
5. A new layer called 'Layer 1' will be formed.
6. Double Click on this 'Layer 1' name and change it to Colour
7. You would have noticed that there kind of eyes on the side of the layers. They do the work of hiding select layers. Press the eye on the side of The Text Layer. [SEE IMAGE]
8. Now what you would see left on your screen would be just an outline of the text you had written. [SEE IMAGE]

Step 6: Adding Colour to Outline of Text

In the Last Step We Created A Outline Of Text. Here Is How We Will Add Colour To It:

1. The Foreground and Background Colour Pickers are located at Bottom of Toolbar Menu at left side of Screen. They are 2 Boxes filled with colour. [See 1st Image for Reference]
2. Click on Foreground and choose a colour.
3. Click on Background and choose another colour.
4. Make sure the colours match a little.
5. For now u will see no change on the screen.
6. Go to File [In Menu Bar] > Render > Clouds [See 2nd Image]
7. In Menu bar > Click 'Select' > Click 'Deselect' [You will see dotted line disappear]
8. Now you will see the colours appear in the Text. [See 4th Image for Results]

IT IS VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN THAT YOU CHOOSE 2 COLOURS FOR BACKGROUND AND FOREGROUND BUR AFTER THEM MERGING, YOU DONT LIKE IT. HERE IS A FIX TO THAT:

1. Go To 'Select' [In Menu Bar] > ReselectOR Go To 'Edit' [In Menu Bar] > Undo
2. Choose A New Foreground Colour
3. Choose A Nw Background Colour
4. And Again Go to File [In Menu Bar] > Render > Clouds [See 2nd Image]
5. New colours would appear.

Step 7: Adding Colour Effects to Background [You Can Skip This If You Want It Plain White]

1. Go To Layers Tab [I Told Location Earlier]
2. At The Bottom Of The Layers Tab You Will find The Background Layer. [We Can't edit It Directly as It Is Locked]
3. Rt. Click On 'Background' Layer > Duplicate Layer... > OK
4. You Will See A New Layer Called 'Background Copy' Which Will Have No Lock In Front Of It.
5. Rt. Click On 'Background Copy' Layer > Blending Options...
6. A 'Layer Styles' Window Will Open.
   • Choose Any Style
   • Choose Any Colour
   • Choose Any Blend Mode
   • REFER TO IMAGE TO SEE WHAT I CHOSE
7. Once You're Done Click Okay

Step 8: Saving As .Jpeg

• Go to File > Save As... > Format: JPEG > Save > OK
• Refer to images Attached

Step 9: Setting Up Triangulator App

1. Download the .zip file of Triangulator App for your OS
2. Double Click the app to unzip it.
3. A new folder named 'application.macosx' [it maybe .windowsxx if you're using windows] will be formed
4. I suggest you to change the name of the folder to "Triangulator' so it is easy to find it in the future.
5. Open the folder
6. In it you will find 'TriangulateImage5'
7. open 'TriangulateImage5'
8. Press 'Choose an Image' which is at the top of 'Tools Menu'
9. Choose the Image You saved in the step before.

Step 10: Creating Mesh

SEE IMAGE 1 FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIOUS SETTINGS IN TRIANGULATOR.

Use Original To Make Points.

Use Result to See Result and Edit.

Use Mesh to See Mesh Created.

Use Eraser To Erase Points Created.

When you're done making Mesh, Select Write To PDF.

Step 11: Converting PDF to JPG

• Open The PDF file and Crop it to the Place where is text and No Background can be seen.
• U can Take a Screenshot of a selected are on mac by pressing Shift+Command+4
• A Screenshot will be Added on desktop.
• Change the name to whatever you prefer.

Step 12: CONGRATS

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED A LOW POLY TEXT ART...

AND DOUBTS? E-MAIL ME AT: SHAURYA