Cool Gradient Text Effect

1. Start out with a new 500 x 100 image with a white background. Add the text that you are going to add the effect to using a font that is easily readable on the web, such as Arial, Verdana, or Trebuchet MS.

2. Now, copy the current text layer by going to Layer > Duplicate Layer and name it "Gradient". Right click on the original text layer and select Blending Options. Use the following settings for a Drop Shadow and a Stroke.

3. Next select the "Gradient" layer then using the text tool change the font color to white. Then in order to see the layer behind, change the layer's mode to Overlay. Do this by right clicking on the layer then selecting "Blending Options". Change the default blend mode to "Overlay".

4. Now in order to add effects to this layer, you will need to Rasterize this layer by right-clicking on the layer and selecting Rasterize Layer.

5. Finally we can begin making some visual changes. Select the Marquee Tool then in the tool properties bar change the feather to 8 pixels. Make a selection on the bottom half of the text as shown below then hit the delete key. Repeat this step on the top quarter of the text.

And here is the final result...