Designing for web2.0 - some pointers? I need shadows!

[lardconcepts]

It's clear that, whether I used web2.0 tech like ajax or not, I'm going to have to LOOK web2.
Here's a good page: http://www.vipedio.com/roman/blog/20culture_full.html

However, I suck when it comes to graphics! I got an old Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7, and Photoshop Elements 4, and I just can't work out how to get those nice reflection, and that "glassy" look. There's loads of "this is how your page should look", tutorials, but I can't find a dummies guide to reflections. Reflections like this http://www.blinklist.com/Theme/Graphic/Blinklist.gif for example.

Any ideas??

[oatesj77]

take your image and refelct it below the original, then use a gradient mask, from 100% ot 0% to remove the bottom of the reflection, then try your layer settings, maybe duplicate and use a hard-light option with opacity down to like 20%. i don't use psp 7, but i know it is fairly simple in photoshop. if you're going to be doing a lot of web graphic work photoshop is the only answer.

[lardconcepts]

oatesj77, thank you SO much! I have never known what masks meant, but since you put me on the right track, I then went and searched for "masks" in PSP7 and the help come up with the following. The attachment is what I ended up with - no cheating here, I cut out the original logo to get rid of the reflection, then re-created it. I reckon it's not bad for a first timer. Although I HAD spent about a week trying to work it out, before I gave up and asked! Anyway,thanks again, here's the tutorial I followed:

To add texture or a gradient to a mask:

1 Create a mask using any method.
2 If the mask is not visible, choose Masks > View Mask.
3 Choose Masks > Edit.
4 Select the Flood Fill tool.
5 Set a Styles box on the Colour palette to the gradient or pattern of your choice.
6 Set a Textures box on the Colour palette to the texture of your choice.
7 Left-click to apply the foreground/stroke style and texture; right-click to apply the background/fill style and texture.

8 To apply the mask permanently, choose Masks > Delete. When prompted, choose to merge it into the current layer.

[oatesj77]

looks good, you could even add a little distortion to the reflection to give it a more natural feel, something like a bit of perspective maybe. glad the direction helped.