This tutorial will teach you how to achieve a Depth of Field Text Effect in Pixelmator. It will also teach you about adding texture for your text background.

1. Create a new 1024x768 file @ 300px per inch.



Next, to achieve a good lighting effect, we will have to create Gradient. Create a new Gradient and set the color stop to #757476 and #282828.



Then, add gradient to our new document. using gradient tool, click from the center then drag the mouse outward.



Now we will add some texture to our gradient. We'll have to use a wall texture image. You can download the one that I use here. Drag the image, scale to fit if needed (CMD+T). Then, set the blending mode to multiply. We'll have something that looks like this:


Now, using type tool, start to type the first letter of your word. In this tutorial, we'll be using the word DEPTH so we would likely to start with D. I used Arial black for the font with 80px size. then we will right-click on the text layer then hit convert to pixel to make the text editable as we will apply filter later on.


Now click on Filter>Blur>Gaussian and set the radius to about 25.


Then we would like to make the letter to look like it is closer, so we will add shadow to it. Lets duplicate the D, then let's invert its color by clicking CMD+I (if your using a white font color) or click Image>Brightness and Contrast then set the brightness to 0 to make it black. the Idea is to create a dark shadow behind the text. Then move the shadow atlas 2-4 pixels to the right so it will look like this:


You get the idea, we will be repeating the same process but this time, we will apply less blur. So we type in next letter, E using type tool of-course. This time, it will be less smaller by about 20 px. So the font size will be 60px. The E should be placed under D.


We will repeat the process of blurring, but now with only at 15 radius. Also we will repeat the process of adding shadow.


Then with the next letter, P. But using much smaller font about 50px. This time, there'll be no blur as we want this to be the focal point of the design. But we will create a shadow still. Now it's the shadow that needs the blurring. Blur the shadow and set the radius to 20.



Now with the next letter, T. You get it, much smaller font, about 40px. then this time, we will make this one blurrier. Set the blur radius to 20. Duplicate the letter and create a shadow.





On with the last letter, H. Smaller font, about 30 in size, then blurrier about 25. Do the same process in creating its shadow.




It's coming all together nicely now. We would like to group the letters so we can position them more nicely. Select the layers of all the letters (including its shadows) the right-click>Group. Now position the group to the center of the document.





We would like to add some more texture to the letters. So now, duplicate the wall texture and place it above the group(letters). And here it is, our final creation.




Now, this is how my layers are arranged. Check yours for consistency.