Start with a new RGB image and create a rounded shape (To see how that is done see the rounded shapes tutorial) and stop when you have created your image in the channel pallet.
Make a copy of the image by dragging it on to the new channel icon (the middle one)
Select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the amount to 6. Remember this because you will need it later on.
CTRL+Click on the first channel and the image in the second channel should have a marquee around it
Choose Select > Modify > Contract and set the amount to the same amount you used for the Gaussian Blur. In this case 6.
The marquee should become smaller. Fill in the area with white.
Now we use Lighting Effects to give the shape a little depth.

Click back on to the Layer Pallet and load the first Channel Select > Load Selection.
Fill the marqueed area with you favorite colour
Select Filter > Lighting Effects and chose Texture Channel as the second channel.
Select the light type as spotlight. I used the following settings:
  • Intensity - 35
  • Focus - 69
  • Gloss - 0
  • Material - 69
  • Exposure - 0
  • Ambience - 8
  • White is high
  • Texture Channel - Alpha 2
  • Height - 50
Click OK
By changing the settings in the lighting effects you can get some great results

 

 

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