Smooth Metal

First, create a new image about 600x600 pixels (or whatever size is appropriate for the image you plan to create). If you haven't already got a shape that you want to apply this effect to, now's the time to make something. The shape in the example is simply made up of 2 circles blended together. Once you have your shape, fill it with this shade of gray: #E6E6E6. Keep your shape on its own layer and make sure you have nothing selected (press CTRL+D).

2.

Most of the steps from this point on will be using Layer Styles, which are available in Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and later versions. Once you've created this layer style, you can save it and use it instantly whenever you want, without the hassle of re-entering all the settings every time you need this effect.

With your shape's layer selected, go to Layer » Layer Styles » Inner Glow, and match up your settings with these: Inner Glow
This gives our shape its first hint of a bevel.

Next you'll be adding a bright highlight (the lightsource). Click on the Inner Shadow category to the left, and match these settings: Inner Shadow

3.

Next click on Gradient Overlay and dial in the following settings: Gradient Overlay
To add a final touch to the smooth metal, click on Satin and match these settings: Satin Settings

Your smooth metal style is complete at this point, though you may wish to add in an optional drop shadow.
But wait... do NOT click OK yet. Remember, we want to add this layer style to your arsenal so you can call upon it when ever you need it.
Click at the top where it says Styles

Now click the "New Style" button and give your style a name such as "Smooth Metal", then click OK. You should then save your styles by clicking the arrow icon to the left and choosing "Save Styles" from the list.

4.

At this point your basic smooth metal panel is complete, though if you'd like, follow along and take it to the next level. In the example, a glowing orb has been added, which you can learn to create with the LCD Orb tutorial.

To make the orb appear as though it's inset into the metal panel simply complete the following steps...
Place the orb onto your image, and create a new layer UNDERNEATH the layers containing your orb but ABOVE your smooth metal shape.

Now select the ','black')" onmouseout="hidetooltip()">elliptical marquee tool, and draw a selection so that it's just a little bigger than the original orb. To make this easier, place your mouse in the center of your orb, and hold SHIFT and ALT at the same time and drag your selection. Now, select your ','black')" onmouseout="hidetooltip()">gradient tool, and use the following settings:

Drag from top to bottom over your selection to create the inset effect. When done press CTRL+D to deselect.

5.

Now, with new gradient-inset layer you just created still selected, go to Filter » Blur » Gaussian Blur and use a setting of about 0.5 to make it a bit smoother.

6.

You can now apply the same techniques to other "stuff" you want to add to your new interface. Here's an example. Be creative and enjoy your new layer style :)

Multicolored Sunset

Design Creative Multicolored Sunset

Now we are going to design creative multicolored sunset using photo mixing some vector shapes and lighting effects.

First of all, we need to find some appropriate picture of sunset to design it in future. Use Google Images or you can also use my picture. Open up picture and start the tutorial! Duplicate background with Ctrl+J, then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply a mild blur of 1,5px.

Now, we set the blurred layer to blending mode Soft Light and set opacity up to 50%. After that make this layer black and white with Image > Adjustments > Desaturate or press Ctrl+Shift+U. This gives us a slightly surreal blurring on the image.

Now, I think we need to do a little dodge work. Select the Dodge Tool (Brush: 250 px, Range: Highlights, Exposure: 50%) and make clearer the dark parts of the image. See the difference now:

Merge two of these layers in one. We are done with background for now. Move to the next step. Create a new layer, then select the Elliptical Marquee Tool and create selections as shown on the picture below. After that fill selected area with white color.

Remove selection with Ctrl+D and apply the Blur Tool to blur the sun shape and then change layer mode to Overlay for this layer.

Ok, now select the Rectangular Marquee Tool and create selection as on my picture that you can see below:

Cut chosen area to the new layer with Ctrl+Shift+J. Apply Filter > Blur> Motion Blur to the new received layer.

You should receive something like this:

Looks as real sun now, don’t you agree? Good, now I would like to add some curl ornaments to the sun glow. Well, we need to find the elements we will use. I prefer to use these. Let’s start mixing curls with sun glow.

Merge all layers with curls in one and duplicate received new one layer using Ctrl+J. Apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with similar settings to these:

Now we have an effect like this:

Merge two layers with curls in one again and duplicate one more time. After that flip new duplicated layer vertical with Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical and move it down.

Apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur to this layer:

See the difference, now?

Set the blurred layer to blending mode Overlay and after that select the Eraser Tool and a soft round brush about 50 px to clear curls image out the sea area.

Now, go to the previous layer and apply Outer Glow layer style to it.

See the result:

Now the lighting is pretty nice already, but I’d like some different hues in the image as it makes the image a lot warmer than bluish colors. Use next colors to make sunset multicolor: #c59840, #c54053, #c540c0, #7840c5, #43609a. So in a new layer, use the Brush Tool (Brush: 80 px) to make brush strokes with a different colors.

After that apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with similar settings to these:

We received something like this:

Now in your tools palette choose the Smudge Tool (Brush: 150 px, Mode: Normal, Strength: 35%). Using your mouse, smudge your multicolor strokes outwards. Note that in the image shown, I’ve done some pretty big smudges so you can see roughly what we’re doing, but in reality you should make smaller, more subtle smudges.

Now we set the layer to blending mode Color and set opacity up to 47%.

Then use the Eraser Tool with a large, soft brush and remove some areas where you don’t want as much to shine through.

Ok, time to add the sun rays to finish off the tutorial. To make it we are going to use a combination of glowing edges and radial blurring. Go to the background layer and duplicate it using Ctrl+J. Then go to Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges and use settings as on my picture below:

Looks strange, isn’t it?

Set the layer to blending mode Screen and apply new Filter > Blur > Radial Blur:

Please note that the blur center is shifted slightly to the right to the place where the sun shines.

Repeat the last filter used again by pressing Ctrl+F. After that go to the Image > Adjustments > Levels to correct brightness and contrast for current layer.

Picture becomes better now:

After that try to correct the sun rays a little bit. Use the Smudge Tool (Brush:150 px, Mode: Normal, Strength: 30%) to do this.

Looks better now! Now, bring more sharpness to the sun rays. To do this use the Sharpen Tool (Brush:500 px, Mode: Normal, Strength: 40%).

We finished off with this tutorial now! Hope it was interesting and useful for you!