Light Blast
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I'm not sure what this could be used for but the result is a neat effect. It is based loosely on a Photoshop tutorial I saw a while ago. I can't remember where which is why no credit is given. 
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To make this with your own flare change one or all of the numerical settings that I have use.
Resources- PSP 8. If you don't already have a copy you might be able to find one on eBay.
Let's get started
*Please note: If you install this tutorial as a quick guide you may get a script error when trying to view the images, just click "yes" at the prompt and the images will show properly. Don't know how to install quick guides? then check out the tutorial found HERE.- Open a new image 500px x 10px, white background, 72 res, 16mil colors.
- Go to Adjust->Add/remove noise and add 30%, random and monochrome checked.
- Go to Adjust->Brightness and contrast->Threshold at 175.
- Now resize the image so that it measures 500px x 500px. Do this by hitting Shift+S and entering the appropiate numbers. Your image should look similar to this:
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- Turn the rulers on (Ctrl+Alt+R) and drag a vertical guide to 250 and a horizontal guide to 250 (watch the status bar) Hit Shift+Alt+G (snap to guides).
- Get the rectangular selection tool set to add, feather 0, anti-alias checked and select the left half of the image. Ctrl+C to copy the selection. Ctrl+D to select none.
- Add a new raster layer. Now select the right side of the image. Paste into the selection (Crtl+Shift+L). Select none (Ctrl+D). Now mirror (Ctrl+M). The pasted selection should now be on the left side of the image. Merge the two layers (Layers->merge->merge visible).
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- Go to Adjust->Negative image.
- Go to Effects->distortion effects->polar coordinates and check Rectangular to polar and Repeat. You should have something that looks like this:
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- Duplicate this layer. Set the layer blend mode of the duplicate layer to screen.
- Colorize (Shift+L) the background layer to a color of your choice. I chose hue 202 sat 255. Now colorize the copy of the background layer another color. I chose hue 91 sat 255. The colors work best if they are choosen from the opposite sides of the color wheel. See below:
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- Activate the background layer. Set your cursor over this layer on the layers palette, left click and hold then drag it out onto the workspace. This will make a new image. Minimize it until later.
- Now on the original image activate the background layer and go to Effects->distortion effects->twirl set to 100. Hit Ctrl+R to free rotate and set to 90 degrees right.
- Activate the other layer and twirl it -100. Make sure the layer blend mode is still set to screen. Merge visible layers.
- Add a new raster layer. Get the circular selection tool set to replace, feather 16. Set the cursor at the center of the image where the guides intersect. Draw a small circle in the center. Similar to shown below:
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- Activate the other image, copy it then go back to the original image and paste it into the selection. Select none.
Save and your done! I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and found it easy to follow. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to .
