Hello again forum, :o) I want to create something like this except that it would have my "signature name" carved into it and I would like to add some moss and maybe some curling Ivy, hehe. :o) Is Photoshop the right software to use for this? Thank you. :o)

Did this in a few minutes. Quite alot of things are possible in PS wit practice, practice,practice

You'll need to use layer styles. The background needs an inner bevel to raise it. The text, on a different layer, also needs and inner bevel but choose the 'down' option. Experiment with the settings (hell, experiment with everything). Moss, ivy etc would need to be drawn on or taken from photos. Again, work in layers so that you can change your mind with less trouble. Hope this gets you started.

Thank you for the suggestions and comments. :o)

I attached my first image (its not really mine, my cousin did it for me this evening and I watched, hehe). It is a bit hard to read, but it is a start.

It is 03:25 (a.m.) and I must return to my coffin before sunrise. I'll get back into it tomorrow. :o)

Thank you once again. :o)

It's looking good, glad to help.

Jsut some advise, a GREAT program to use to carveor "engrave" somthing is Bryce. You can either make a grey scale in Photoshop and import it, or use teh terrian editor in bryce directly(photoshop would be easier to make the grey scale casue you can use teh text tool). It also turns out really great. If you don't have Bryce, then download teh free trial fomr Corel, i am sure 30 days would be enough to learn to use it. For help, just check for tutorials. Here is an example using teh terrain editor. I know this is a photoshop forum, but i still wouldliek to help. And besides, you CAN use photoshop(many ppl do) to carve out the initial design using greays and white.

Man, thanks for your suggestion. I'll "take it on board", hehe, but for now I have to get the manual out and properly familiarise myself with the tools in Photoshop. I couldn't even find the paint (fill) bucket, hehe. :o) I'm pretty much of an "absolute beginner"...a "Photoshop Virgin", hehe. :o)

In a seminar which must have been over a year ago I was lucky enough to get a look at Bryce 4 (I think it was version 4). I loved the landscapes (especially mountain ranges). It is like playing God, hehe. :o) I think at that time they had just improved the program so the oceans and lakes (water) looked more realistic.

About Photoshop: I was thinking of getting a text book called "Adobe Photoshop 6 Classroom In A Book" but I read in some customer reviews at Amazon.com that although this text is supposed to be directed at the absolute beginner, it is really for intermediates and above. Other comments by a Mr Max Dutton suggested that to really understand the software, the Photoshop Bible or a Visual Quickstart guide would be more suitable. Again, these latter comments suggest a little knowledge of Photoshop is necessary before using the "Classroom in a Book". :o)

Boy, am I getting off the stone carving topic or what? :o)

Thank you one and all for taking the time to reply to the post. :o)

I have many of the Visual Quickstart Guides which they have for just about any software. These are Beginning and Intermediate Level. There are also Visual QuickPro Guides. These are for Intermediate and Advanced Level. You can get them at www.peachpit.com or i'm sure one of the book stores in your area carrying computer books have a selection of these books. At www.quickstartonline.com/ there is Visual Quickstart Online Library that you might try. Unfortunately it's only 7 day free trial but it would let give you a chance to browse the library of Visual Quickstart books before you shell out the $$ for them.