Sorry for the newbie post, but I've been trying to create buttons like this for a while now. Thanks for the help with the rounded corners.

How do I make the recessed text and the simulated brush metal finish? If this is something easy, can you just point me in the right direction? My google searches came up empty.

Thanks again.

Here's how I create less than four rounded corners on a rectangle:

1. Draw the rectangle at the desired size.

2. Draw a circle with the correct radius for the corners you wish to create.

3. Align the circle to the corner of the rectangle you wish to round. (If you're going to round more than one, make a copy of the circle first.)

4. Using the direct selection tool, delect the arcs and point of the circle except the arc that will become the rounded corner. I find it easiest to first delete the arcs, then go back in keyline mode and delete the stray points that are left.

5. Using the direct selection tool, delete the corner point of the rectangle where the rounded corner will be.

6. Select one end point of the arc, and the nearest endpoint of the rectangle, and join them together to restore the edge of the rectangle. Repeat for the other edge to complete the shape.

7. If you wish to round another corner, go back to step 3.

Not necessarily better, but as the author said there are almost always multiple ways to accomplish the same task in Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.