Really enjoy using Inkscape; what a great program! I'm looking forward to a native Mac OS X build.

I'd like to create some text and lines with an embossed look to them, as if they were slightly sunken into the object behind them. I have created an icon with a light->dark gradient from top-> bottom and I'd like for the embossing to be as if a light were shining on the icon from up top. I've played w/ the Filters->Color->Color Emboss filter and it hints at what I want to do, but I couldn't understand how it was working to change it to be the way I'd like it.

The calculator icon from the iPhone (linked below) is a very clear example of this: the text, dividing lines and even the icon edges appear sunken and lit from above.

Any suggestions or tips on how to do this? Thanks!


http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5706/img0113.png

While you could use filter effects, choosing gradients and blurs is simpler.

Attached is a quick rework of the image you provided.


-Rob A>

Rob, thank you. That was just what I needed. I'm still kind of hazy on how you did the highlight on the whole icon, but the blur/shadow/highlight on the letter is just what I'm looking for. Thanks!

Your example looks like it might have some specular highlights, which can be used to reinforce an embossed look. Unfortunately, I have not been successful in learning how to apply specular highlights. So I can't give you instructions. But I wanted to mention it

claytonrcarter wrote:Rob, thank you. That was just what I needed. I'm still kind of hazy on how you did the highlight on the whole icon, but the blur/shadow/highlight on the letter is just what I'm looking for. Thanks!

it is just a copy of the rectangle that goes from white to transparent to black at a reduced opacity sitting on top.

Just pull apart the svg I uploaded to see.

-Rob A>