At the risk of sounding like a total noob...

[rei]

...how do you make icons like this:

Comments

[jactrades]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by the smooth laminated look (and I've never worked with HP caps), but that icon looks like it's been desaturated somewhat and had its coloring played with. Perhaps with a mostly dark texture thrown on top as well?

The soft glow in the middle, however is easy to achieve! Just create an empty new layer, put it on "soft light", then paint on a white blob in the center with a soft brush. Play around with opacity until you get the right amount of glow.

Alternatively, if you want the center lighter and the edges darker, you can create a fill layer with a radial gradient of white to black, and, again, place it on soft light/lowered opacity.

[rei]

I don't know how to explain other than "the smooth, laminated look", but I will try your tip out. :) Thank you so much for your help on both! :D

[royalbk]

I achieve the soft, pretty look with textures actually.

Like

[rei]

Yes it is! :D Thank you for the tip, I'll be sure to try it out. :) Would you happen to remember which maker/s made those 2 textures?

[royalbk]

Sorry, but I really can't remember. Taken too long ago. ^^;

(you can check my resources - maybe you'll stumble upon their creator.)

[shalowater]

the brightness and contrast method in this tut might work.
http://x-sweet-image-x.livejournal.com/1571.html

also the coloring/and/or exclusion layer here
http://wrecked-train.livejournal.com/1808.html

[rei]

Thank you for the links! :D

[gothrockrulz]

I literally squeed when I saw my HP icon here. Would you like me to post a tutorial? I didn't save the PSD, and the program I used is Paint Shop Pro, but I can try to re-create it with GIMP, if you like.

[rei]

Hehe. x) If you have the time, then yes please! :D

[gothrockrulz]

Certainly! It may take a few days, though, because I'll have to work around the fact that GIMP doesn't support Channel Mixer.