Raindrop Ripple
(Adobe Photoshop 7 Effect Tutorial)
Create a water ripple from a source using this lens flare trick!
1: Create a black (or dark colored) 1024x768 image. Duplicate that layer. On your topmost black layer, go Filter > Render > Lens Flare (50-300mm Zoom at 100%). Repeat this step so that the lens flare will be brighter. Now go Filter > Distort > Twirl (999), and repeat this step one more time. Looks cool already, huh?
2: Now, do Edit > Transform > Distort so that the twirl looks like something you can stand on. I'd advise starting in the bottom right corner and dragging the selection inwards to give it the desired effect.
3: Now, rotate your twirl using Edit > Free Transform > Rotate to get it in a level position. Try to align the twirl with the bottom of the canvas. When you've got it set, go Layer > Flatten Image. Then, duplicate your newly flattened image.
4: Select the bottom twirl layer and go Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur (3.5 pixels). Set the top twirl Layer Style to "Multiply." Now, Layer > Flatten Image. Now continue on to make it a bit more fancy.
