Written by devvv (09 Dec 2007 05:58 PM)
Translated to English by Paraknight

Updated by Hammer

Video Help

1. Like some others, this tutorial is an implementation of an existing Photoshop tutorial.
   
   Create a new image (700px * 700px) with a black background color.
                    
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2. Create a new layer - Click CTRL - L to open the layers dialog box. In the lower left click the "Create a new layer button". Make sure to set the layer to 700 x 700 and select "Transparency" at the bottom.                                               
3. Click Download Picture, open the JPG and copy the cracked soil into GIMP.  At the top click "Layer" and the "Anchor Layer."
   
   
   
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4. Now, stretch the active layer on a ball: Go to Filters / Map / Map object and select "sphere". See the settings in the picture below. In the "light" tab select: No light.
   
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5. Invert the colors (Color / Invert). You will get a blue and white sphere:
   
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6. We will now add the exploding rays. For this we first need the sphere streched on the layer: Filters / Distorts / Polar coords. Disable the bottom-right checkbox "To Polar". Click OK.
   
   Then go to Image / Transform / Rotate 90° CW.
   
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7. Click Filters / Distorts / Wind with the values:
   
   Wind
   Direction: Right
   Edge affected: Leading
   Threshold: 5
   Strength: 37
   
   Use the filter again by pressing CTRL+F.
   
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8. Now we must undo the stretching from before to get our sphere:
   
   - Turn the Layer by selecting Layer / Transform / 90° CCW. It should now be on the top side.
   - Now select Filters / Distorts / Polar coords. Check the box for "To Polar" again.
   
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9. Now it looks quite cool.
   
   Select the Blend tool. Search for the Incandescent gradient as seen on the picture.
   
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10. Turn it around and go to Colors / Map / Gradient Map and you have your exploding planet!
    
    Optionally, you could duplicate the planet layer. Soften this layer with the value 11, turn the transparency of the layer to 65% and change the layer mode to "screen" or "color". Thus, it reached a little more color intensity and softer transitions. Have fun with it.
    
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