Spin Me Round ...

Like a paperweight ,,,,, perhaps get a few of them to hold us all down !!! .... Sorry for my humour !!..... Great creation Paul !!

Yes, but we'll need a lot more of them Marj so get busy! ;)

Not got a clue how to do them !!!

There are a few different methods Marj, but they all share a common starting point: a square cropped image.

You can use the process on a rectangular image, but you’ll end up with a squashed spherical result as opposed to a circular orb. So find an image you want to try creating an orb from and crop it square i.e. a 1:1 ratio.

That’s it, now you’re ready to create an orb using your software of choice. I use PaintShop Pro for most of mine, but you can also do them in PhotoShop and I imagine there will be others out there too that can do the job.

In PaintShop Pro you need to go to Effects, Distortion Effects, Polar Coordinates. In the Polar Coordinates window select Polar To Rectangular and click Okay.

Next go to Image, Flip, Flip Vertical. Now go back into Polar Coordinates and this time make sure you select Rectangular To Polar. If you ensure the Preview option is ticked then you can try out the different Edge Modes: Color, Repeat and Wrap before selecting the result you like best by clicking Okay.

And that’s it, you’ve made your first orb. It really is simple if you follow these steps and with a bit of practice you’ll find you can make a basic orb in a couple of minutes at most. From there some people start experimenting next with textures and layers etc. to see how they can take their designs even further. Even being careful which type of photo and where in the photo you take your crop from can make a huge difference.

Having said that a lot of people get amazing results and pleasure from just sticking to the basics. Go have a go Marj … it would be nice to see how you get on! 

I use the above PS options to develop this type of image. Great fun and results usually. Have not done one for ages. Must try a new one soon.

Just remember how addictive they can become Tess! ;)

Thank you Paul.. I have coped your instruction & will have a go when I get a minute ,,,, watch this space !!

(Looks like coleus in there?) Wow, such a spinning beauty, Paul. I really like this.

The song is a good match for it too!

Yes, it is coleus Karen. Quite impressive that you managed to identify it ... I mean it isn't like I said in the description what it was or as if I'd added a coleus tag - lol! ;)

What can I say? Nothing gets past me, Paul. ;-D

Yeah, that's just what I thought Karen! ;)

Wonderful PS processing with a great result. Well done Paul Regards Tess

Much appreciated Tess! :)

Excellent work Paul. Lovely colours and background.

Pleased you like this one too Graham! :)

fabulous !

Glad you think so Rob! :)

A wonderfully wild orb.

Glad you think so Esther! :)

oh awesome! I love the zoomy background and the orb is delicious.. that music is a bit of a blast from the past! (that hair though!)

Glad you like it! :)

Love it Paul !!

Many thanks Pam! :)

Fantastic!