If you’re a Windows Vista user, you’re probably familiar the eye catching graphics shown off on the box, and in some of their wallpapers/screensavers. In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create that effect yourself.
This Vista Lighting Effect, sometimes referred to as the Aurora Effect, can really transform an ordinary wallpaper to something extraordinary. What makes it even better is that it’s very easy to achieve. Just follow these simple steps!
Step 1
Before we can actually get started on the lighting effects, we need to create a background for the effect. We can’t simply use any background we choose, but rather create an appropriate canvas to begin with. Find a photograph to use as the basic palette for your background. It can be any image really… just make sure it has a lot of lights and darks in it. Alternatively, you can Download the Attached Photo Sample and work with the same photograph I’ll be using. 
Step 2
From here, we need to apply a very strong Gaussian Blur to our Photograph. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and bring the slider to something high. You really want to get rid of all the detail in the photo, and have all the colors mesh together. I applied a Gaussian Blur of 75.
Step 3
Now we are going to drastically change our background by adding a Color Balance Adjustment Layer. To create this layer, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance. A “New Layer” box may pop up, just click Ok through that. Next you’ll see 3 different sliders, as well as 3 separate ranges to choose from (Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights). At this point, it’s really just about experimenting with the sliders in each range until you find a suitable result. If you’re using the photograph I supplied, these were the values I used: Shadows: -37, -40, 7 Midtones: 15, 62, 0 Highlights: -34, 0, 69
Step 4
That’s it for the background. We’re done with it. You may choose to edit your Color Balance layer later on (just double click the icon next to it), but otherwise, we can move onto the effect. To begin, select the Elliptical Marquee Tool from your toolbar. Make a large selection, spanning all the way across your canvas. You may need to move your selection while making it in order to make such a large selection. If you need to do this, hold the spacbar while dragging your mouse (Don’t let go of the left mouse button). You should end up with a slightly curved selection that covers at least half the canvas.
Step 5
Create a new Layer (Above the Adjustment Layer, mind you), and grab your Brush tool from the toolbar. Choose the default brush, and then modify the size to something large, such as 200-300, and set the hardness to 0. Choose White as your foreground color. This part may take some trial and error, but essentially, you are going to brush just the very inside of the selection you just made. Try to brush evenly across the whole selection.
Step 6
Easy enough, huh? Set the blending mode of this layer to Overlay. Deselect everything (Ctrl + D or Select > Deselect). Now, transform this layer so that is is positioned near-vertically along the right side of the canvas. To transform, go to Edit > Free Transform, or Ctrl + T.
Step 7
Repeat steps 5 and 6 once or twice, and use smaller brush sizes (and possibly a larger brush size). Be sure to put each new band of light onto a new layer!
Step 8
Now that we have 2 or 3 different bands of light, we won’t need to make anymore of them. Instead, you can Duplicate the layers you’ve made, and Freely transform them to become new shapes. Remember, Ctrl + T to transform. You can get some interesting effects by holding the Alt, Ctrl, and Shift Keys while dragging the transformation nodes.
Step 9
That’s really all there is too it! For add effect, you can add some extra color into it using Color Balance Layers. In order to do this, Select several of your light layers (Ctrl + Shift + Click a Layer in the Layers Panel), and then add a new Color Balance Adjustment layer (Like we did in step 3). The Color Balance Adjustment layer will automatically create a layer mask so that it only gets applied over the selection you made. Just be sure that these new adjustment layers are on top of the lighting layers.
And here is the PSD if you wish to take a looksie.
If you enjoyed this effect, you’ll love our other Photoshop Tutorials on Tutorial9!
How to Make Great Fireworks in Photoshop
Vista Window Effect Photoshop Tutorial
3D Pixel Stretch Effects
Creating a Cartoon Hot Air Balloon Scene
wow great stuff.. thanks for the tutorial
hey guys im an avid fan of grey.cobra and i consult all my graphics tutorial on the site
im way too excited for the site’s comeback
eventually
maybe you c an post more tutorials here.. way to go tutorial9
Hey Dubz! Thanks for stopping by!
This is just the beginning for Tutorial9, as we’ll be posting many, many, many more tutorials here on a daily basis. I’d suggest adding our feed to your feed reader if you want to stay up to date with our latest news and tutorials.
Anyways, Glad you liked the tutorial!
Nice tutorial David. I can’t wait until the site returns…it’s been such a long time.
Good luck with the new GC!
Thanks Iceberg! Hope you’ll stick around for more tutorials, and keep in on the discussion here. It’s good to be back!
Nice tutorial.
Can’t believe one of my favourite p.s tutorial site is back. Best of luck.
Thanks kenj! Glad you liked the tutorial mate! We’re happy to be back too!
Erm…I can’t get the same effect like urs in the tutorial especially when the brushing part. I brush my whole selection ( The eclipse part) with white and then I change to Overlay belnding, but I could get the effect like yours where your “border” seems to have a little white part, help please, thanks ^^
Hey Ben,
Try duplicating your Overlay layer, and see if that fixes things for you. I’m assuming by “Border”, you mean the sharp edge of the eclipse.
If you’re using a very dark background, Overlay might not work quite as well since it will basically Multiply the White with the Dark background. Sometimes, you can get around this by duplicating the layer a few times.
Let me know if that fixes things for you
Erm thanks a lot, after downloaded your PSD I understand a lot, and by the way, your tutorial you forget to add a negative symbol (-) for Highlights: “34″ —> -34
And I stuck at the last part, I keep try but fail to make the cliping mask for my colour balance? How do you do that? @@
Thanks a lot ^^
Sweet, Greycobra is coming back!
thanks for the tut, this really expands my techniques
At last! Greycobra is back. great tut btw
Thanks everyone!
@ Ben - You should simply have to Hold Down the Ctrl Key While Clicking the Layer Thumbnail (in the layers panel) in order to make the selection. When you create the adjustment layer, it will apply the layer mask automatically.
Erm sorry to trouble you, I pressed CRTL and Hold it while selection my layers then the layers that I selected will be highlighted in the layer panel right? Then I go to Layer–>New Adjustment Layer–> Color Balance, I can’t get like yours @@
This is what I got >.<”
[IMG]http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4355/prob101dx5.jpg[/IMG]
OK, I got it !
Actually all these while I press crtl+shift at the wording of the layer, lol…but actually should click on the thumbnail pic xD
Anyway, thanks a lot ! You can be a great tutor…haha ..looking forward for more nice tutorials here ^^
This tutorial was quite hard for me to do just because I’m on a laptop
Even with mouse I don’t have that stead of a hand to keep it perfect all the way across the canvas D:
Hey Matt, here’s a suggestion if you’re having trouble brushing.
First off, a mouse will help you, and make things much, much easier. A graphics tablet will also work wonders, but if you don’t have either of those accessible, try making quick motions in order to make a smooth stroke. When you stroke quickly, you’ll generally keep the flow of the stroke much more consistent.
True but if its on a curve its hard to make quick motions and follow it evenly
I was thinking possibly another way is make the curve with a pen tool and add a gradient drop shadow.
You do bring up a good point Matt. Using the pen tool, and then using a drop shadow (or inner shadow) might work as an alternative here.
That said, you would lose some customization that you would get with the brushing. In my samples, I actually brushed a little more intense in some areas that I wanted to purposely make brighter.
However, I guess it’s all up to you in the end. It’s definitely a good suggestion.
True but with pen tool although a bit more steps you could always duplicate the layer and change the opacity to get the brightness you want then merge them
Nice tutorial
Many Thanks
great job. i’m very impressed and i’m looking forward to your future stuff
Its great that u even put the PSD file, makes it easier to find out what to do!
Good job!
very nice tutorial! I’ll definately use this when I get the time! (=p)
Great tutorial! looks outstanding, always what i expect from you guys!
nice touches so smooth
Hey dude, cool tutorial… when will you be putting the famous “Xbox360 Rings” tutorial on again? ^_^ Shame I can’t get access to it on GC anymore.
Famous? I had no idea it was that well known
It’s very similar to the “Create a Wreath in Photoshop” tutorial (in some ways anyhow), so you may want to check that out.
I’ll see what I can do about getting a new X360 Rings Tutorial out though
awesome tutorial, i like the fact that you’ve put in the .PSD file, it helps alot often too see how the layers look in the file itself
U are great and see this useful, powerful,
Love it! One key thing for foreign speakers, in step 5 when brushing the selection, I didn’t understand at first you need to just barely brush along the edges of the selection, not the entire selection
That’s how the ‘edge’ feel is created (no need for shadows and such)… it’s late, hope I’m making sense.
thanks!
thanks friend, this tutorial is very good, now I can create myself wallpapers or new desing for the web
thanks
this is a GREAT site where i can learn more about photoshop… Im just starting everything and its not easy shifting from a cook to web publisher! whew, thanks a lot and more power!! by the way I just recently subscribe to your feed and hope to see some of Flash Tutorials.. Again.. THANKS A LOT!!!
Nice tutorial.
Great tutorial! I’ve just completed it and I gotta say it’s very easy to follow and with a great end result as the reader. I think I’ll be using this effect in my new layout, thanks.
dude.. you’re a friggin genius.. i dunno how you possibly figured this out but man i’m just impressed on how easy you made this.. you are a very good man my friend.. thanks so much.. cheers!
Hey boris like the new site man you never cease to amaze me with all your grahical creations. Like michaelangelo with computers man good work.
GHP O7″
Genius
Hey. Nice tutorial and the result is pretty nice but i cant find out the last part whit a color balance on a single layer???
Pleass help.
/Paw
Thanks! Great job!
Thanks folks! Appreciate all of the feedback!
@ Paw - try creating a brand new adjustment layer on top of your other layers (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance). Good Luck!
Matt has a good point if anyone’s finding it hard to paint the edges. That was my initial thought when I saw this, just ever so slightly different.
If you create a curved selection or path and fill it with any colour then set the Fill to 0%, then you can then apply Inner glow and you’ll just see the Layer Style, but none of the filling colour.
Of course, you’d only be able to make a uniform-width glow, but you could always apply a layer mask to vary that.
this is absolutely beautiful
Very nice tutorial.
The best!
NOp i cant get it right when i make the color balance layer for the lighting effects it just leaves the mask in white so nothing changes
Was doing this tutorial and was having trouble with steps 5 & 6,another way to do it is by making a rectangular selection and giving a white to transparent gradient and then use the warp tool to get the crescent shape. You might have to duplicate the layer though.
Awesome! =D
WOW great tutorial,i lov it..
Expect more like this keep it up.
Thanx
interesting effect …
Nice tutorial!
But had you used CS2 or CS3 version? Because on the CS3 version, the numbers you give at Color Balance doesn’t match the colors on the preview.
I’had to change it a bit, so I got this:
shadow: -37,-40,+21
midtones: +15,+62,+15
highlights: -37,+20,+85
WELL GOOD!!
it’s really easy to create such effect.
Hey there, i tried giving color to the bands of light, but for some reason i cannot seem to get the effect at all. everytime i slect the layer and go to Layer> New adjustment Layer> Color balance, i have to tick clip to current layer, otherwise it will affect the background, but when changing the colors it does not change the band of light at all! i need some help, coz its kidna frustrating….im using ps cs3.
omg i found it…friend of mine helped me out over msn(and at this time of day! 1:17 am :P) forgot to click the thumnail *smashes head into a wall*
nice tutorial dude
Glad you got your problem solved Timothy! Thanks mate!
It seemed so defficult to me but you got the way to make it easy. Great tutorial. I loved it. Thanks heaps!
hmmm interesting, too hard to get though xD
Great way to use a stock image to create something unique in just a few steps!
Nice….. vey nice
@ KM Graphic Design - Yeah, it really is a lot easier than it seems, isn’t it?
Thanks again folks!
Thanks for the awesome tutorial
Very good…
Thanks…
Many thanks, has very much helped with work.
I know much, but this good addition!
Amazing! Just amazing!
Thx! for the tutorial!
wow!nice!
The values for the color balance adjustment layer in Step 3 do not match the color of the screen shot provided. Additionally, there’s “ridges” in the color (the color doesn’t change smoothly).
Here is what I’m getting: http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5381/helplj4.jpg
I’m pretty sure I’m following the instructions exactly, (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance) and then entering the precise values.
What am I doing wrong? Thanks.
Andy, you have to change one value in the Highlights slider, from 34 to -34. David has made a typo and that’s the problem. For future problems download PSD file that is provided with most of tuts here
Last but not least this problem was first solved by BEN over here: http://www.tutorial9.net/photoshop/creating-the-windows-vista-lighting-effect/#comment-21
Fixed the Typo. Thanks for your help Dybcio & Ben
Great! Thanks Dybcio!
wow, that is beautiful tutorial. I’ll give it a try.
thank you
First off, nice tutorial, thanks =)
Second, I’m sure this has been asked already, but I didn’t really understand the answers to it…
When trying to add the new color balance to the single rays of light, instead of the whole document, I’m running into problems.
I go Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Color Balance, and it opens up Color Balance 2. As soon as I start changing the sliders, it changes the whole document. How do I link it to only the few layers I want to edit?
@ Sean - This is a question that has to do with Masks - something we will cover in the School of Photoshop Very soon. I won’t go into specifics right here, but basically, “Adjustment Layers” such as Color Balance use masks. By selecting the layers you want to affect (Ctrl + Click a Layer Thumbnail… Hold Ctrl + Shift + Click layers to select multiple layer contents at once), and then creating an adjustment layer, that adjustment layer will ONLY affect the selection.
“For add effect, you can add some extra color into it using Color Balance Layers. In order to do this, Select several of your light layers (Ctrl + Shift + Click a Layer in the Layers Panel), and then add a new Color Balance Adjustment layer (Like we did in step 3). The Color Balance Adjustment layer will automatically create a layer mask so that it only gets applied over the selection you made. ”
I really don’t get this part. First, you can select those layers with just Ctrl + Click, so why the Shift? But it’s not that important. My question is how toadd new Color Balance Adjustment layers when you have selected those layers?
@ Jana - I think I may have confused my words there. You see, when you hold Ctrl and click several layers, you do indeed select the actual layers in the palette.
However, when you hold Ctrl + Shift and click multiple layer thumbnails you actually select the layer contents (in other words, a selection is created in the actual image workspace).
So… If I have a layer that only has a circle in it, and I Ctrl + Click the actual layer thumbnail, then a circular selection will appear in my document where that circle is. If I hold shift + ctrl at this point, and click a different layer thumbnail with a square in the layer contents, THEN I will have a selection of a circle, AND a square in my document.
Hope that clears things up!
Oh kay, but hot di I add a new Color Balance Adjustment layer for those? Is it like just applying layer effects of something? Like, if I want to get each of those rays of light in a different color, like shown in the last 2 images.
Ok just so you don’t have to type one and the same thing all over again, just ignore my last post
I see many people have the same problem as I do and you’ve replied to them already, so I’ll just try to figure it out myself. It looks great with out the different colors anyway 
Yes! I got it! Finally
Hold Ctrl, click on the layer thumbnail in the layers palette and create a new color adjusment layer! how simple is that?lol
Thanks for the fast responce David. Cleared up my questions, just wasn’t clicking the thumbnail with Ctrl. D’oh!
Again, nice tut. =)
This doesn’t [work, I set the layers to overlay but I do no gt the effect you have i.e the parts where the brush strokes overlap and you see a bright glow. I just have dull srokes.
You just got bookmarked
If you do not mind you could do a tutorial completely with all the effects from last picture? we have provided in downloading to see in photoshop … because they are probably many who do not understand how you do the effects … much easier for us and for you to escape as many other questions … please so much … sorry for my english
just perfect for my new project.
Really Awesome, thx
Great technique !
Wow, that’s such a simple effect to get something so great! I like the use of the color balance layers and how you mixed it up. Thanks!
bonjour,
votre tuto est extra. cependant, l’orsque je crée un nouveau calque de règlage des balance de couleur pour les lignes, celui ci s’applique à tout le document et non pas aux calques que j’ai selectionné, y a il une manipulation particulière afin de lier le calque d’effet aux calque auxquels s’appliquent l’effet ?
Merci, salutations
Mr. G
@Mr. G: You can have a color balance layer affect ONLY your selection using layer masks. Usually, Photoshop will create the layer mask for you when you have a selection, and THEN create the new adjustment layer.
Great Work dude ! 5/5
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It’s cool
The last image is so really amazing!
David..Please…Just tell me how can I get effect like at last screen…..It’s amazing.
Dark colours….Wow. It’s better than in Vista
@Achmes: I darkened the background, desaturated it, and then applied an Color Balance Adjustment layer to the lighting to give it that nice glowing effect. Glad you like it mate!
Do you renember settings witch you used in Color Balance?
i am irani
good learning in thank
I do not know how to delete color in one layer….
I tried =>Image ->Mod->Grayscale but it’s delted color in all…….
@Achmes: Unfortunately, no, but it’s for certain that I jumped up those Red highlights quite a bit…
@Achmes: Changing the color mode will affect the entire image. Select the layer you want to Desaturate, and select Image > Adjustments > Desaturate
can you help me, i don’t get it how to make step 6: ” Set the blending mode of this layer to Overlay.” what need to do, that look nice. look what i have done on 6 step
[IMG]http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff354/meskis667/vistash.jpg[/IMG]
sorry, copy this link, and you can look http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff354/meskis667/vistash.jpg
hello nice tutorial, but whenever i try this on a gradient background and turn it to overlay layer for the lines it dissapears but when i try it out on ur background it turns okay
This site is immensely good, I found it through Google, and Haven’t stopped reading. Great Job!
good thanks tutorial9
the best site ever
This is awsome……wish all sites were like this. Its was pleasure doing this, very clear consise to the point LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Exceptional man
very nice and clear and to the point
Wow! Great tutorial, got one on my first try!
Thx! for the tutorial!