Celebrate May the 4th with a glowing effect that's out of this world! In this quick tutorial, we’ll show you how to create a stunning glow effect in Photoshop using simple shapes, layer styles, and masks—perfect for sci-fi or fantasy-inspired visuals. Try it in the Desktop App Download the latest version and dive into the new features offered in Adobe Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop Step-by-Step: How to Make a Glow Effect in Photoshop 1. Choose your image: Start a new project and select your image. Don't have one on hand? Visit stock.adobe.com to explore thousands of high-quality assets. You can use stock images to add a background to your scene, practice with certain subjects, or add elements such as interfaces to your Sci-Fi world. 2. Design your glow shapes: Use the Ellipse Tool (or any shape tool) to create the objects that will glow in your image. In our example, we used two orbit-style rings around the subject to represent glowing energy. 3. Mask your shape: Use Layer Masks and a soft brush to hide parts of the glow behind your subject—this helps integrate the effect naturally into the scene. 4. Apply the glow: Add a Color Overlay to set the base color. Use Inner Glow to simulate the hottest part of the light. Source set to Center. Add Outer Glow with your chosen color to create a halo effect. Set blending mode to Linear Dodge. For extra impact, add a Drop Shadow to simulate more spill. Set blending mode to Linear Dodge. 5. Add more colors: Duplicate the shape and repeat the steps with a different color for a multi-toned effect. Mask out where you want the two colors to overlap and spill over into the image. This is a great effect when you have multiple light sources in your scene. EXTRA! Add text: Add a title or caption to your image and apply the same glow styles to keep a cohesive look. Try it yourself! Fire up Photoshop and experiment with your own glow effects—whether it’s energy, starships, or futuristic portraits! Created a glowing masterpiece? Post your glow effects in the comments below! Also, check out this HelpX article for more on creating neon glow effects and follow along with downloadable assets. Need help or feedback? Drop your questions here in the community and we’ll be happy to help. May the Force (and the glow) be with you. We’d love to hear from you! Try out the glow effect in Adobe Photoshop, and let us know your thoughts. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more tips! If this was helpful, please click the Upvote icon in the top left corner of this post. Your feedback helps us improve the experience. Thank you! We’d love to see what you’ve created and hear about your experience or feedback! Click 'Reply' below. Click 'Follow' below to bookmark this post for easy reference. For other questions, feel free to start a new post in the community.

Claire H.

Community Manager

Question

💡 Create a Sci-Fi Glow Effect in Photoshop

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
May 4, 2025
13 replies
4322 views

Celebrate May the 4th with a glowing effect that's out of this world!

In this quick tutorial, we’ll show you how to create a stunning glow effect in Photoshop using simple shapes, layer styles, and masks—perfect for sci-fi or fantasy-inspired visuals.

Try it in the Desktop App

Download the latest version and dive into the new features offered in Adobe Photoshop.

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Glow Effect in Photoshop

1. Choose your image:

Start a new project and select your image. Don't have one on hand? Visit stock.adobe.com to explore thousands of high-quality assets. You can use stock images to add a background to your scene, practice with certain subjects, or add elements such as interfaces to your Sci-Fi world.

2. Design your glow shapes:

Use the Ellipse Tool (or any shape tool) to create the objects that will glow in your image. In our example, we used two orbit-style rings around the subject to represent glowing energy.

3. Mask your shape:

Use Layer Masks and a soft brush to hide parts of the glow behind your subject—this helps integrate the effect naturally into the scene.

4. Apply the glow:

Add a Color Overlay to set the base color.
Use Inner Glow to simulate the hottest part of the light. Source set to Center.
Add Outer Glow with your chosen color to create a halo effect. Set blending mode to Linear Dodge.
For extra impact, add a Drop Shadow to simulate more spill. Set blending mode to Linear Dodge.

5. Add more colors:

Duplicate the shape and repeat the steps with a different color for a multi-toned effect. Mask out where you want the two colors to overlap and spill over into the image. This is a great effect when you have multiple light sources in your scene.

EXTRA! Add text: Add a title or caption to your image and apply the same glow styles to keep a cohesive look.

Try it yourself! Fire up Photoshop and experiment with your own glow effects—whether it’s energy, starships, or futuristic portraits!

Created a glowing masterpiece? Post your glow effects in the comments below! Also, check out this HelpX article for more on creating neon glow effects and follow along with downloadable assets.

Need help or feedback? Drop your questions here in the community and we’ll be happy to help.

May the Force (and the glow) be with you.

We’d love to hear from you!

Try out the glow effect in Adobe Photoshop, and let us know your thoughts. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more tips!

If this was helpful, please click the Upvote icon in the top left corner of this post. Your feedback helps us improve the experience. Thank you!

We’d love to see what you’ve created and hear about your experience or feedback! Click 'Reply' below.

Click 'Follow' below to bookmark this post for easy reference.

For other questions, feel free to start a new post in the community.

Show previous replies

fbeaume

Community Expert

THanks for your kind words @Isabel T. Thomas ! I appreciate!

M

mehmood_9597

Participating Frequently

Loved this tutorial—it's quick, creative, and the glow effect looks amazing using Outer Glow with Linear Dodge. I also added a bit of noise and blur to give it a more realistic sci-fi feel. Great job, Adobe!

mehmood

Claire H.

Author

Community Manager

Thank you so much for the kind feedback! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I love the idea of adding noise and blur for that extra sci-fi touch and would love to see your final image! It’s always great to see how users make these techniques their own. Is there anything you'd like to see covered next? We’re always looking for new ideas to explore with the community.

fbeaume

Community Expert

NeonWalk