Creating a Planet:

 
  1. I started out with a 7" x 7", 200 ppi file
  2. Before you start, make a new layer by clicking on the new layer icon at the bottom of the layer pallette.

  1. On the new layer, create a texture using a combination of filters and color adjustments. This one uses Clouds, Photocopy, Ripple, Bas Relief, Grain,
  2. Hue/Saturation, among other adjustments.
  3. SAVE YOUR FILE!
 

 

  1.  To make the planet, draw a circle with the marquee selector tool.
  2. Inverse the selection (pull down select>inverse)
  3. Push the "delete key"

  1. Go to select and inverse again. The circle is now selected
  2. Filter: Distort: Spherize, and you'll see something like what I did to the left. It worked best when I had first loaded a selection of the circular texture I made. Notice I cranked up the distortion level to 100%.
  3. DO NOT DESELECT!
  4. SAVE YOUR CHANGES! (FILE>SAVE)
  1. Make another layer
  2. Go to filter>render>clouds
  3. Change the layer blending to "screen"
  4. DO NOT DESELECT!

 
  1. Make another new layer.
  2. Select the gradient fill tool in the tool palette.
  3. At the top left of the computer screen, you can change the fill to "forground to transparent"
  4. Use the gradient tool to make the shaded area as shown at the left
  5. DON'T DESELECT!
  6. SAVE YOUR CHANGES! (FILE>SAVE)
 
  1. Target the layer with the planet. This means to pick it in the layer palette
  2. Go to select>modify>border
  3. Make a 10 pixel border
  4. Go to filter>blur>guasian blur. Radius > 4
  5. This should blur the edge of your world.
For extra credit, create a ring.