Step 1

We're going to make this glass orb look like it has liquid inside of it. You can use (or create from scratch) any existing globe. Use the Selection Tool (S) and Selection Type: Rectangle. Select the lower half of your globe, like so:

Step 2

With the bottom portion of your globe now selected, contract your selection area by 5 pixels. You can adjust this depending on your personal tastes. (Selections > Modify > Contract).

Step 3

Now adjust the brightness by -80% (Adjust > Brightness and Contrast > Brightness/Contrast) Brightness: -25 and Contrast: 15.

Step 4

We're half-way there! Next, we create a new raster layer and choose the ellipse selection tool. This next part might be a little tricky, so pay attention! We're going to give the liquid inside a more three-dimensional look.

Draw a narrow ellipse that fits across the straight top of the darkened inner hemisphere. Color it with the same gradient you used to make your orb, and position it so that it fits perfectly from one corner of the darkened hemisphere to the other. Like this:

Step 5

Ta-da! Piece of cake, huh? You can use this effect on all kinds of shapes, not just orbs. Play around with it. Enjoy!

discuss this topic to forum