Image editing for the rest of us
In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a super, simple light effect inspired by a similar effect that I saw recently in a Sony advert.
Step 1
Open Pixelmator and create a new document. Select 1440×900 pixels and then fill the layer with #121212.

Step 2
Next, add another layer and select Filter>Generator>Clouds. Set the colors to black and white.

Step 3
Choose options Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to 40.

Step 4
Use the Eraser Tool (E) to delete most of the layer, leaving just a little of the middle. In Blending, select Color Dodge and set the Opacity to 60%.

Step 5
Create a third layer and fill it with black. Then, use the Rectangle Marquee Tool (M), to create a rectangular selection. Fill this with white.

Step 6
Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and change the Radius to 25 . Then resize the rectangle by reducing its height in Edit>Free Transform. This should make it thinner along its vertical access (as shown). Change the Blending choice to Color Dodge.

Step 7
Add a new layer and fill it with black. Change the Blending to Color Dodge. Now select a very soft brush with 30-50% Opacity from the Brush Tool (B) options and paint some areas around the length of the rectangle as shown in the image below.

Step 8
Create a new layer on the top of the others and use the Gradient Tool (G) to create a gradient in purple, red, yellow, and green. Fill the layer with this gradient. Change Blending to Multiply, and then set Opacity to 90%.

Step 9
Add a further layer and select Filter>Generator>Stripes. Set the Width to 3 and the Sharpness to 55 . Then change the Opacity to 3% and the Blending to Screen.

Step 10
Select the stripped layer and choose Filter> Distortion> Twirl. Set the Radius at 340 and the Angle at 100 . Then, position the controller over the line as shown in the image below.

Step 11
Repeat the same filter but change both the position of the controller and the Angle to -100.

Conclusion
This is a wonderfully simple technique that creates a beautiful light effect with a very unique texture. It can be achieved in less than 20 minutes with a professional looking outcome. You may wish to experiment with different colors or more than one streak.
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November 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I’m having trouble with the black layer “color dodge” technique you use a lot. When i create the black layer and change the blending mode, it just essentially becomes completely transparent. is this a bug? or am i just doing something incorrectly?
November 12th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Same problem as Kyle for me..
November 16th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Works great and it’s really cool, thx
November 20th, 2009 at 3:49 am
@ Kyle and Stein: that’s completely normal, he’s just forgot to say that you have to paint with white ^^
It should be:
STEP 7
Add a new layer and fill it with black. Change the Blending to Color Dodge. Now select a very soft brush with 30-50% Opacity from the Brush Tool (B) options and paint [with a bright color, better if white] some areas around the length of the rectangle as shown in the image below.
November 21st, 2009 at 4:12 am
Nice tutorial. Very detailed!
Although, I am still fascinated on how to create something similar to abduzeedo’s rainbow font!
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Boo, mine looks nothing like yours :( Fun tho and I’ll keep trying. Thanks!
November 26th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
what the hell happened between steps 9 and 10? Mine didn’t go dark around the edges!!!
December 6th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Wow… Mine starts to fall apart at 7. Then at step 8… BAM! I’m lost.
December 7th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Looks great but I don’t get the effects as in 9, 10, 11 even though I’ve followed the instructions. Mine just fades out to grey. A bug perhaps?
December 12th, 2009 at 7:52 am
New at this, and have tried this technique about 10 times now. Hit a brick wall at step 7 – the brush effect doesn’t come out right….and so of course the final product doesn’t even look close… Boooo… I’m sure I’m doing something wrong but will be darned if I can figure out what…
January 3rd, 2010 at 8:30 am
Went through the whole thing but when I got fed up of trying to achieve the same effect, and failing, I ended up experimenting with other filters and ended up with a somewhat different result: http://blinky981.deviantart.com/art/Stripes-149045678
January 16th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Great tutorial, but the only part I had trouble with was using the right brush to make the light effect on the white line. Any suggestions?
January 21st, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Pixelmator works differently from Photoshop?
February 7th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
sigh. i cant get the stripes to show upon step nine. i do what it says but it doesnt apear.