Going from here...To here...isn't as hard as you might think.Follow along and feel free to adjust things as they suit you.
1. Open a new document with these settings...2. Choose two colors that compliment each other. I've chosen a true Red/Orange and a Dark Red/Orange...3. Make it cloudy! Go to [FILTERS] and [RENDER] [CLOUDS]Your image should now look like this...
4. Next go to [FILTERS] and [DISTORT] as [GLASS]Choose settings similar to these for best results and always bake in a preheated oven. ;)Your image will not look so great about now...but trust me it gets better...
5. Now you are ready for the lines that make the basketball so distinctive...I used a heavy line (.o6 in or about 18 points) to create the cross lines. Then I drew a simple circle with the marquee tool that was about the height of my image and moved it to where I wanted it to be. Then I did a center stroke ([EDIT] [STROKE]) at 18 points, making sure my colors were back to Black and White.I know, it looks more like a basketball court than the actual ball, but we're getting there.
6. Using the above settings ([FILTER] [DISTORT] [SPHERIZE]) I selected a circle slightly smaller than the one I used to create the lines, and applied the filter TWICE! This is important to note. 7. Inverting my selection ([CNTRL] [I]) I deleted the unused portion of my image, leaving me with this...[OPTIONAL: I rotated my canvas 25 degrees counter clockwise, just to keep it fresh. You don't have to if you don't want.]
8. Our image is a bit flat, so we need to add some lighting effects. [FILTER] [RENDER] [LIGHTING EFFECTS]These settings give us a nice single light source which adds volume and dimension to our ball.Light generates shadows, but don't be tempted to just slap a drop shadow on this thing! Here's a custom shadow effect that easy as this tutorial...9. Create a new layer and drag it underneath the ball. Select the transparancy from the ball layer, making sure you are still in your new layer. Fill it with black and then SQUISH it with the FREE TRANSFORM tool. Like this...10. Hit the shadow layer with a motion blur (horizontal direction if you please--but feel free to experiment with the amount. Then hit it again with a low gausian blur just to take the edge off. Move it over so it looks natural under the basketball and Voila! Instant shadow!Now you are ready for some round ball! Hoop it up!