Help: Swirling vortex effect.

[MY573210]

Howdy, all...

I am currently working on an effect that would, essentially, demonstrate a forward-moving beam of energy with a swirling, spiral vortex of light beams trailing from its head to a gradual dispersal. I am having trouble accomplishing this through the methods I've been using and would greatly appreciate any input as to how to make it appear more 3-dimentional and how to make the light trails more believable. Currently, I'm using the eliptical marquee tool to establish a shape and then using a shear to morph the trails of light around the main beam. I feel as though I could proficiently achieve what I want with blur effects after I establish a solid base, but it seems like my shapes are all wrong and I just can't seem to figure them out. It just seems a little too H.R. Geiger weird and alien than the simple effect I'm aiming for.

Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you all so much for your time.

Here is an image of what I was able to come up with to demonstrate what I'm talking about and to give you a point of reference for critique.

Thanks again,
-Ivan

 

[MY573210]

I'm sorry... I for got to mention that I'm using CS5 on Windows. Thanks.

 

[$1r_M4x1mu$]

Hi MY573210

I don't know exactly, what you are after, but i'll assume it is some kind of comet like design, so it simulates flow and speed direction, if this is the case this links may help.


- How to Create a Comet
- Electrifying Energy Beams
- Create Electric spiral vortex
- Creating Energy Spheres in Photoshop

Hope this helps

 

[MY573210]

Thanks so much, $1_M4x1muS. Those links helped a lot. I think the real mistake I was making was not making the rays to the ones in your link wrap tightly enough around the main beam. Appreciate all your help.