Flexible Glossy Orb
June 18th, 2007 in Designing, Tutorials, Web Graphic by kailoon
I saw many kind of tutorial from the web about how to create a glossy orb effect. Actually, all of them are having the same effectsand look great. Today, I am going to create a glossy orb that can be resize and customize easily.
Step 1
We will start with a new document (500 x 500 px). Create an image as shown below using the ellipse tool. rename the layer as orb and doubble click or right click on the layer > blending option > gradient overlay:

Step 2
Create a new layer from the layer pallete or press CTRL + SHIFT + N, rename as overlay. CTRL + left click on the orb layer, with the new layer selected, use the gradient tool, set the foreground color to #000000 (black), select the radial gradient, foregrounf to transparent, and drag from the bottom to 2/3 to the top. Change oerlay layer‘s blend mode into overlay. You will get the result as below:

Step 3
Create another new layer and rename as white. Set the foreground color to #ffffff (white), ctrl click on the orb layer to bring up the selection, select the intersect with selection option, draw the shape as shown. By using gradient tool, foreground to transparent, linear gradient mode, drag from the top left to the bottom right as shown in the image below, change the opacity to 50%:

Step 4
CTRL + t when the white layer selected, resize the layer as shown and reposition the layer to get the best effect:

Step 5
Create another new layer on the top of all layers and rename as glossy, create a shape as shown with the elliptical marquee tool. Once again, with the gradient tool, linear gradient mode, foreground to transparent, foreground color #ffffff (white). Drag from left to right to get the effect as image below, change the opacity to 60%:

Step 6
When the glossy layer selected, goto filter > distort > shear, drag the point to the position shown below, reposition the glossy layer:

Step 7
Well, here is it. Now you should have the layers below in your layer pallete.

TIPS
- By using ellipse tool, you can resize the ellipse anytime you like.
- You can change the color of the orb by changing the gradient overlay in the blending option of the orb layer.
- If you wish to add in any logo, just put it under the white layer.
Hi Iliana, nope, I didn’t apply any blur effect. If you still get the awkward result, you can try to apply a tiny blur effect la. :) Anyway, it is do flexible and you can try something else to get the different result. Thanks for your comment and have a nice day!
Yes, well the glossy layer (oval-like top layer) turned out quite awkward, it doesn’t quite blend in nicely. I should probably says that the edge are a bit sharp, did you apply any blur on this layer?
huh? what do you mean? mind to explain?
I can’t quite get the gloss to be shaped according to the tutorial, any suggestions?
Sweet tip, just what I have been looking for! Well Pleased…
Thanks:)
I Love those buttons… wow.
Welcome Kate! oh? CTRL + LEFT Click on the layer oh, in the layer palette.
ctrl + left click does not bring up the selection.
I did this without doing part of step two xD
3D effect of the circle, awesome
@>green_smile: After you CTRL + LEFT CLICK on the ORB LAYER, you will bring up the selection. Then you may select the ELLIPTICAL MARQUEE TOOL, you can find the INTERSECT WITH SELECTION on the TOP LEFT. With the NEW LAYER selected, draw an ellipse which intersect with the orb’s selection. You may get the intersect area like above and you can fill the gradient now :)
Hope this may help and really thank you for your comment and happy you like it :P
Nice effect, I really like it, having trouble with it though :( in step 3 where you say choose the “intersect with selection” option… I can’t choose that, can you help please?
Welcome Zain, welcome and thx for comment :)
Welcome escanive, welcome and thx for comment :)
Neat tutorial, thank you
hahha, thanks bro! yoyoyo…wish u all da best too!
Hey, nice job….keep it up
ya, market demand….
hehe…sure!ei, u din add me ah?
nice! keep up the good work bro!
Well, Aeres, ur comment is the most welcome :)
But…but glossy buttons are so cliche!
Just kiddin, nice work :P
thanks chin, hope you can learn something here and leave some comments :)
Hi, im fren of ComeTh.. Though not knowing much bout PS, but Impressed with this Art…. Keep on Going.. Ganbatte..
hi cometh!
Woot….Bling bling….. heh. I am here cuz I am here…..