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Tutorial Title: How to create a very basic Aqua sphere

Program: PS 5+

Step 1: Make a new image with any dimensions you like. I usually use something around 500X500 pixels. Set your colors to default. Create a perfect circle (by holding shift as you draw it) on a new layer. Fill it with black. Center the circle in the exact middle of your canvas. Set up some guides similar to those in the image below. There is one guide in the exact center of the image horizontally (you'll know when you are at the center because the guide will automatically snap to the center when you get near the center), and another vertically. Then I have another guide a bit about the horizontal guide in the center.

Step 2: Using the gradient tool, you will now give the sphere some depth and 3d. Create a new layer. Set your gradient tool to create a radial gradient. Set your colors to a light blue and a dark blue. You should know have a simple gradient set up that goes from light blue to dark blue. Move your cursor over the first guide and draw a gradient that goes from there to the bottom of your circle. You should end up with a nice gradient like in the image below. I mostly prefer to use the airbrush to do this step as I can achieve nicer 3d effects with it, but it is far simpler to just use a gradient (its also easier to explain ;] ). Now create a new layer and make a ellipse selection like the one in the image below.

Step 3: Set your foreground and background colors to white. Select the gradient tool again and set up a new gradient. This one should go from 100% opacity to 0%. Leave radial selected for gradient type. Draw a gradient that goes from the top of your selection to the bottom of your sphere.

Step 4: Go back to your layer with the black circle (the first layer you created in step one). Scale and distort this circle to make it look as if it is resting on a plane underneath the sphere. Give it a gaussian blur of about 5.0 and bring its opacity down to about 40%. You now have a decent drop shadow.

END: You have now created a very basic Aqua looking sphere. Mine is below. For mine I used the airbrush instead of gradients. Now that you know how to make an Aqua sphere (Aqua gem as Apple calls them)... don't make them. In fact close the photoshop document and don't even save it! :] The effect has been used WAY too much and is getting a bit old.

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