PhotoShop: glass ball effect ?

**swissRv** · 08-23-2004, 06:29 PM

I am designing my own skin and I would like to have the same "glass ball" effect as seen on the Aqua skin, with light reflecting on a a ball that includes the icon (see that skin for better understanding). Does anybody know how to do it ? I found a function in PhotoShop in the Effects menu, but not with the expected result.
Thanks
SwissRv

**Grayscale** · 08-23-2004, 06:31 PM

yeah, cant member exactly but try making the selection of the thing that you want to be glassy, fill it with 50% gray, then render a lens flare onto it, just play with how it looks, then use polarize filter on one of the settings, then rotate the cavas then depolarize it...can't remember exactly....

this should help

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...ss+ball+effect

**ZanGManN** · 08-23-2004, 06:54 PM

maybe one of these will help?

**ACHIEVER** · 08-23-2004, 06:56 PM

Try again

**Mitokondria** · 08-23-2004, 11:55 PM

How about asking the source who made the skin?

I used about 3 to 4 layers.

Mine is a lot easier to make but Im too lazy to write up a whole tutorial. Check out the link to get an idea and then follow my steps on the bottom.

Here is something similar to what I did: http://www.axialis.com/tutorials/tutorial-misc003.html

Remember to make seperate layers, Im also assuming you know the basics in photoshop. Heres my quick and dirty guide only 7 steps.

1. create a circle, add a drop shadow and inner glow (see attachments for settings)

Reflections part
2. use you gradient tool and set it to fade from white to clear
3. make an oval with the eliptical marquee tool on the top part of the circle
4. fill that oval in with your gradient and get the desired fade result (white to clear from top to bottom)
5. for the bottom repeat the same steps (3-4) just make a smaller oval, fade from clear to white and guassian blur the crap out of it.
6. place you icons in between the reflections and the circle to make them "float" (see pic for order)
7. Use "hard light" for blending mode on the layers tab when you are placing yor aqua spheres in backgrounds and want them to be "see through"
8. adjust settings to your liking to get best results (took me awhile to get it right)

Also check out my tutorial @ http://www.mediaengine.org/index.php?skin_tut

Good Luck,
Marcos

**swissRv** · 08-24-2004, 05:32 AM

Mitokondria, ZanGManN, this helped tremendously. I attached a sample of my first icon, a mixing table (hmmm, for MediaCar... <blushing>).
It is not as sharp and crisp as the real Aqua, but it is my first attempt, I need to improve now.

Thanks to you all.

Originally Posted by Mitokondria

How about asking the source who made the skin?

I know, I don't know why, but I though CarComp designed it and I sent him a PM. No wonder he did not reply, since YOU designed it ! Dooooh.

**Mitokondria** · 08-24-2004, 11:19 AM

Fantastic work man! Glad I could help. PM me if ya need any more help.

I have more aqua buttons that I made which media engine does not support for program functions. If some one can host them I can post them up. I know these will help a lot people in their design process in skins.

Heres some I have and the list goes on:

**swissRv** · 08-24-2004, 05:26 PM

Here is a preview (and just a preview, yet !) of what I am working on. I am going away for 10 days but will resume the design then. If anybody shows interest, I'll be happy to make it public, granted that Mitokondria allows my stealing of his original design