In this tutorial you will learn how to use simple techniques to create a sleek dark portfolio layout with a 3D look. The 3d look in this tutorial will be given using some simple shadows, and lights. For start create a new document with the following size: 1100 x 1177 pixels. The color for the background is #333333.

If you want to align the layout perfectly, i recommend you to apply for  a paid account and start drawing over the psd file included in Ultimate CSS Framework

Make sure you have the background layer selected, and then go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and use the following settings.

With Rectangle Tool i will draw a shape on the middle of the layout. I will use a lighter color #7f7f7f.

Then i will add the same Noise filter effect

With Line Tool i will make some vertical lines.

Then i will select all layers with these vertical lines and i will press on CTRL+E to merge them into a single layer. I need them in a single layer because i will change the perspective of the lines. To change the perspective of the lines please make sure you have the layer with the lines selected, and then go to Edit > Transform > Perspective.

With Rectangle Tool i will create the header of the website.

I will use the following layer style, to create a simple shadow under this header.

Duplicate the layer with the header, and add one more time some Noise.

With Line Tool i will add a simple 6 pixel Line

For this line i will add the following layer style. Make sure you save this layer style because we will use it later in this tutorial.

With Line Tool i will add also some 1 pixel line like in the following image.

Now i will try to create a slide show. For this i will use Rounded Rectangle Tool ( set the radius to 10 pixels )

Then i will go to Edit > Transform > Warp and i will use the following settings.

Your slide show shape will look like in the following image.

I will create a smaller shape , and i will place it inside the previous one. Now please use the layer style i have told you before to save it. In case you did not save it we have here a set of over 18.000 Layer styles.

With Ellipse Tool i will create a simple shape. This shape will be transformed into a nice shadow.

To change the dark shape into a realistic shadow, you have to go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

Then i will create a new shape.

I will add some noise also for this shape, and on the top of it i will add some 1 pixel lines. I will also add a simple drop shadow.

Now i will create a green button with Rounded Rectangle Tool.

Under this button i will create a new layer, and with brush tool i will add some lights with white.

Then i will create a shadow with the same technique i have used for the big slide show.

This time i will make the shadow a little more interesting. Go to Edit > Transform > Warp, and use the same settings you have used before.

Your button will look like this.

I will create another layer on top of all layers, and i will add some light with Brush Tool.

With Line tool i will create a white line like in the following screen shot.

I will rasterize the layer with this line, and with eraser tool i will delete the right and the left side of the line.

I will duplicate the green button several times, and then i will place it like in the following image.

On the body of the layout i will create a simple round shape.

For this shape i will add of course the Noise Filter and some layer styles.

Bellow you can find the layer style

On the left side of this shape i will add a some lights.

Then i will fill the area with some text, and another button. Try to click on the following image to see how it looks.

To create the footer i will use the same techniques i have used for the header.
I will add some text on the left side of the layout

and on the right side i will add some social bookmarking icons.

With Horizontal Type Tool i will add a simple text logo and a slogan.

Then with Ellipse Tool i will add a simple shape.

I will add the Blur filter i have used for each shadow, and then i will delete the left side of the shape. Here is my result.

I will create a simple shape, and also in this case i will delete the left side of the shape. I will add the text: “Hire Us – We are available for work”

The same i will do also on the right side of the header. here i will place a search box.

In the middle of the layout i will fill the slide show with some images, and text. This is not so complicate and i will not explain anymore.

This is my final result. This 3D Portfolio layout can be used also for another types of websites.

I hope you like this layout. If you want to download this PSD file please apply for an account.