Interfaces are really big these days, and some of the most popular designsare the ones that have that "Techno" look. Digital pipes, wires, and othermechanical and electronic parts are arranged into incredibly complex designs.This tutorial shows how to make one of those parts, Flex tubing. To learnhow to construct some other parts with that technological look, I'd suggestsites like Pinoy7,and AQ Art andDesign (a Photoshop site with several tutorials adaptable to PSP.)

To start, open a new file with 16 million colors and a white background.I usually start with a large size file, about 400 x 400 pixels, so thatI have plenty of room. You can always crop your work after you're done.After you open your file, choose the Line Tool and set the Line Type toBezier Curve, the Style to Stroked, the Width to about 30 pixels, and checkthe boxes marked Antialias and Create as vector. On the second tab of theTool Options Palette, depress the middle "Cap" button. This is the onewith the rounded end. Now set your foreground color to Black. Draw yourbezier line, and then adjust the curvature with the control handles. Whenyou are done you should get a thick black curve surrounded by the standardvector selection/deformation box.
 
 

Now go to the Edit menu and select Copy. This copies your vector curveto the clipboard. Now we can paste a new copy of the selection (Edit, Paste:As New Vector Selection.) Initially, all you will see is a thin curvedline representing the path of your vector selection. Move this up nearthe top of the first curve as shown below and click to paste it in place.Initially it will look like you've thickened your black curve.
 
 
 
 
 

Next we adjust the properties of this second vector curve. Make sureyour Vector Selection tool is active. Now double click on the new curve.This will bring up the Vector Properties Dialogue. Change the Line Widthto 6 and the Color to white. You should now have a smaller white curveinside the black one.
 
 
 
 

We can't really do much with the curve in vector form, so first rasterizethe layer (Layers: Convert to Raster.) Now choose your Selection tool,check the Antialias box and set Feather to 0. Draw a rectangular selectionaround your curve and then click on the curve once to float your selection.
 
 

Next we're going to apply a gaussian blur to the curve to give it amore 3D look. So that we don't end up with a cloudy transparent look atthe edges, first we need to invert our selection (Selections:Invert) andthen use the Flood Fill tool to fill the background with Black. Be surethat your Fill Style is set to Solid Color.
 
 
 
 

Next, invert your selection again so that your tubing is selected. Nowjust add a Gaussian Blur (Image, Blur: Gaussian Blur.) Set the radius to6 - 8. This gives a nice 3D effect with a highlight.
 
 
 
 

We can now get rid of that black background. Just invert the selectionyet again and hit your Delete key.
 
 
 
 

Next we are going to add another small highlight to the tubing. Thisworks well for tubing that is 300 pixels or more wide. If the tubing you'recreating is much smaller, you should skip these next few steps.

First, release your old selection by hitting CTRL D. Next we need tocreate a new vector layer (Layers, New Vector Layer.) Paste another copyof your Bezier curve onto your tubing (Edit, Paste: As New Vector Selection.)Position it just inside the bottom edge of the original curve. Switch toyour Vector Selection tool and double click on the curve to bring up theproperties dialogue. Change the Color to white and the Width to 2 pixels.
 
 
 
 

This new vector curve is on its own vector layer. To work with it weneed to first convert the layer to raster (Layers: Convert to Raster) Thebox around your curve should disappear.
 
 
 

Now just add a blur to the new line (Image, Blur: Gaussian Blur.) Changethe radius setting to 3 for this one.
 
 
 
 

 Okay, we have our shadows, now it's time to add some highlights.First duplicate the layer with the lines (Layers: Duplicate.) Then reversethe colrs (Colors: Negative Image.) You should now have white lines insteadof black. We'll fix that shortly.
 
 
 
 

Choose your Selection tool, with Antialias checked and Feather set to0. Draw a rectangular selection around the set of white lines. Now holddown your Shift key and use the cursor arrows to move your selection onepixel down, and one pixel right. Your selection should now be tight aroundthe lines. When you're done, release the selection by hitting CTRL D.
 
 

To Complete the tubing, go to the Layers menu and choose Layer Properties.Set the blend mode of the current layer (the one with the white lines)to Soft Light.
 
 
 

To finish your design, simply include two suitable openings or attachmentson your interface for your Flex tubing to pass through.
 
 
 

If you're not into doing interfaces, the tubing also makes a good startpoint for creating a nice collection of "Flex Bugs." The legs here wereprovided courtesy of the Tarantula tube that comes with PSP.