This tutorial will teach you how to create a jet thruster / beam effect.
Create a new image, 500px x 500px.
Fill the background with black.
Select the Brush Tool, then goto these settings.
Select this brush, but change the size to 150 instead of 32.
Create a new layer on top of the black layer, and then click twice (2) in the same place for this effect.
Goto Edit>Transform>Distort, and make it look something like this.
Select the Gradient Tool , and use these settings.
On a new layer, draw a small line like this with the Gradient Tool , then using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, make a small selection, then press CTRL SHIFT I.
Hit Delete.
Now, using the Smudge Tool, smudge the one end of the white line.
Now, change the Brush Tool settings to this.
Dab where the line starts 2 or 3 times.
Make a tall thin line on a new layer.
Now, Filter>Distort>Wave it.
Use whatever settings are in there.
Duplicate this layer, then flip it horizontally.
Now, select the top layer, and hit CTRL + E to merge down.
Hit CTRL + T, then move the layer into position, and angle it correctly.
Set the Gradient Tool to this.
Now, goto Layer>Add Layer Mask>Reveal All.
Using the Gradient Tool, drag a line from the tip of the beam to the beginning of the beam.
[Note: you may have to drag from beginning of beam to the tip, i cant remember which way it goes]
When you have done this correctly, it should look something like this.
Stay on the SAME layer as the one with the layer mask.
Select this paint brush, and then apply it to the base of the beam, like the image below.
Now, select this Brush Tool, and then apply it to the base of the beam, like the image below.
It should look something like this when you are done.
Click the eye on the layer with the black on it so you don't see it anymore.
Hit CTRL + SHIFT + E to merge visible layers.
Now, click on the little F on the Layers box, then add an Outer Glow.
Use these settings.
This is what I ended up with.
To add colour, merge all of the layers together so you have one layer with the entire beam. Then create a new layer and place it onto the top. Use the Gradient Tool, and spread any colours across the image, and set the blending mode of the layer to Color.
My final result:
Click to enlarge
Congratulations, Your Done!
