30 Secret tips for improving the iOS design process with PS design app

Design is a long and painful process, during which you can use a bit of skill to reduce pain, 30+ tips to improve your IOS designs workflow (in Photoshop) summarizes 30 practical tips you can learn from.

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In this article I (the original author) summarizes the methods that are followed when designing iOS software in Photoshop. Many of the techniques apply to general UI design. Note: The shortcut keys mentioned in this article are for Windows; Mac user can, cmd corresponds to Crtl key, opt corresponding ALT key.

　　1. Keep the size even

You're going to start with the retina screen design and then zoom out on the standard resolution, right? In order for pixels to remain perfectly present at the standard resolution, you need to ensure that the size and distance are even. The specific approach is: Based on the 2ps grid design. guides, grids, and slices (cuides,grids&slices) in the Editor (edit) preferences (preference) . Change the grid line spacing (gridline) and sub Grid (subdivisions) to make the mesh spacing line 2px. For example, set the grid line spacing to 64px, and the subnet to 32.

　　2. Blending mode only uses normal mode

When you set a layer effect that is directly above another element, blending mode is only normal (for example, projection and outer glow in blending options). Using other blending modes may look good in Photoshop, but it may also have undesirable effects after being saved in PNG format.

　　3. More convenient to change the gradient color

Want to change the hue (hue) of the gradient button without having to change the gradient's starting color value each time? Here are two methods that can achieve exactly the same effect.

　　Method 1: Use color overlay in gradient layer blending options

Create a gradient layer . The start color is set to light gray and dark gray, or it can be adjusted later.

Create a vector mask for the button.

　　copy vector mask paste to gradient layer ( select vector mask 〉ctrll+ c〉 Select gradient layer 〉ctrl + V )

Set layer Vector mask current path

Set gradient layer blending options Color overlay change blending mode to color .

Now you can change the gradient just by changing the color here.

　　Method 2: Use a gradient overlay on a solid color layer

Create a solid-colored layer with the color you want.

Same as Method 1.

Same as Method 1.

Same as Method 1.

In a solid-color template blending option, gradient overlay, set blending mode to lightness (luminosity).

Now just change the color of the solid color stencil to change the gradient.

Translator Note: The above use of the vector mask, in fact, the use of clipping masks can also achieve the corresponding effect, personally think it is simpler.

　　4. More use of radial gradients

Overlay the radial gradient layer on the navigation bar to make the navigation bars more interesting.

　　Method 1: Radial Gradient tool

creates a new layer above the navigation bar layer.

Copy the vector mask for the navigation bar layer to the newly created layer (hold down CTRL + ALT and drag the vector mask to the new layer by pressing the left mouse button).

Select the radial gradient tool (set gradient to center white end fully transparent).

Draws a gradient from the center to the edge in a layer.

Change the layer blending mode to overlay (Overlay) setting opacity to 25% .

　　Method 2: Bevel and Emboss

You can also use the bevel and emboss in the layer blending options. You can set it as shown in the following figure. By adjusting the settings to achieve the desired effect. The more subtle the adjustment is, the better it looks.

　　5. More use of shadow deformation

The shadow in Photoshop (any other layer effect) and its corresponding layer can be separated. This allows you to manipulate the shadow independently.

Select Layer style Create layer (s) you must use the effect in the blending option on the layer to use this command, which is to detach the effect from the layer.

　　convert layer to smart object (Select the transparent shape layer in the blending options.) Right-click the layer and select Convert to Smart object so you can edit the effect later.

　　Ctrl + T Select variants .

　　Click and drag the handle to change the shape. The handle does not have a grid on it, but you can use the grid as a reference to repeat the same drag on the other handles.

Nudge the layer up until it looks like the image below.

　　6. Use of inner glow easier to add fine textures

As shown in the following illustration, the texture is increased rapidly by inner glow.

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