Step 1:
Open up a 300x300 pixel document. Create a new layer and fill it with #41403f. This will act as your background color but i always find it better to use a new layer as a background.Now create an oval that will take up most of the blank space. Id say about 180x260. Create a new layer and name it "middle" now take your gradient tool and load the metal set. Grab the silver gradient and drag it from one side of the orb to the other. Now go image>adjustments>curves and apply these settings.
Step 2:
Now lets orb it up. Duplicate that layer and name it orb. Hit ctrl+t to bring up the transform options. Now select your orb layer and pick your color you want as your orb. I went with red. Now fill in the selection by going file>fill and choosing my color.
Step 3:
Now deselect it for a second and nudge the orb up about 5 pixels.This will give it a better look. Okay, reselcet the layer and now create a new layer and name it "dodge" and get out your gradient tool once again this time using a similar color and going from your color to transparent. Color it like so.
Now change the opacity to about 45-60 percent.
Step 4:
Now create another layer and name it burn. using the radial gradient select the middle of the orb and drag outward with a darker variation of your original color. Change the blend mode to color burn and lower the opacity to about 30 percent.
Step 5:
Now lets make another layer and name it linear. Once again using a lighter variation of your original color go ahead and use your gradient tool for the bottom right corner of the orb. Change the blend mode to linear dodge and lower the opacity to about 20-30.
Step 6:
Okay, let us create a new layer and name it satin1.With your orb still selected fill in the layer with any color. Now go to layer styles>satin and use these settings. Change the fill opacity to 0%.
Step 7:
Create another new layer and name it satin2. Do the same thing just use these settings.
Step 8:
Lets create another layer and name it gradientleft. Using the gradient tool (radial) use the white to transparent option and go from the top left and drag it to about the middle of the orb. Change the blend mode to overlay and lower the opacity to about 60%.
Step 9:
Deselect the orb. Duplicate the layer and name it gradient right. Do edit>transform>flip horizontal. Now move it to the right of the orb. Simple.
Step 10:
Now the orb is takin shape. Lets add some more details though. Reselect your orb. Add a new layer and get out your gradient tool. Name the layer whitelight. Use the diamond gradient from white to transparent and make a small gradient on the top left of the orb.
Click For Step 10
Step 11:
With the orb still selected, create another new layer and name it bottom light. We're almost done here. Again use your gradient tool (linear), from white to transparent, anddrag it from the botoom to the middle of the orb. Set it to overlay and lower the opacity to about 15%.
Step 12:
Create another ayer and name it top light. Drag your gradient tool from the top 2/3 of the way down change the blend mode to overlay and lower the opacity to 20%.
Step 13:
Okay, well now you are done! If adding a logo or words i suggest going with a dark gray and changing the blend mode to overlay with the opacity at about 80%. Overall you will get a nice look. Also putting an outer glow on your back layer set at black>multiply and messing with the opacity and size you can come up with some nice features to your orb.
Final Result:
Hope this helped you with any problems!!!
, took it easy 