Electron Cloud Effect

Great, another time when I am totally stumped. Must this effect be created in a 3d tool with some particle generator, or can it be done exclusively in Photoshop? Thanks in advance!

Chris

Example:
http://www.stilldreaming.net/images/particles.jpg
*please don't post images directly*

Ack! Post pics as text links next time please.

As for your question, I believe you might be able to do it with some fairly creative brushes/brush work...

Whoa, i've never seen that 2advanced pic... where did you get it?

you can get it on their site.. atleast on the old site it was there since forever.

Well I have worked on some brushwork and duplicated the layers but it doesn't look anywhere like their image. The image originated from their backgrounds section and it is still there.

For starters use noise.

1.Render monochromatic noise.

2.Use Brightness/Contrast to isolate the the larger/brightest bits of noise.

2.Duplicate this layer.

3.Scale the duplicated layer about 2 times the orig size.

4.Use Brightness/Contrast to isolate the largest particles again.

5.Now use your clone brush set to "screen" and "normal" (be creative and be random) and clone the noise into a well formed star field.

6. Render a lens flare.

7.Scale it fairly small.

8. Use brightness/contrast.... Hue/Saturation (etc)as you please

9. Duplicate the lens flare however many times you want (a lot though)

This is the basics of it. Your image wont look exactly like what you see and it all depends on how creative/random you get with. But those are the "elements" of that pic.

Jeez! Thank you very much for the posts. I can't believe how much closer I am because of it. Thanks!