In this tutorial you will learn how to make cool space background. Look at the bottom of this tut to see the result.

We create a new image with parameters just like on the picture below (namely: Width, Height, Resolution):

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Fill the first layer with black color (hit D for default color, hit ALT + Backspace to fill with foreground color). Then we create new layer (CTRL + SHIFT + B). We fill this layer 50% Gray (Shift + Backspace. See the picture below)

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Filter -> Noise -> Add Noise:

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Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur:

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Now we are going to create stars. Image -> Adjustments -> Levels (or CTRL + L). Move black values to the right, so that background looks like stars.

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Now go to channel layout. Hold down CTRL and click on the top channel (as seen on the picture below). This will load stars as selection. It may not be seen, but that is due to their small size. Relax, if you cannot see the marquee, it does not mean, that nothing is selected.

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Create a new layer and make it active. Select -> Modify -> Expand. Make the current selection larger by 1px. Hit CTRL + Backspace to fill the selection. You should see now additional stars. Duplicate this layer. in former layer use Layer -> Layer Style -> Outer Glow (as on picture below). On the later you can use same settings, just change color of glow from purple to blue etc.

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On the former layer use Layer -> Layer Mask -> Reveal all. Filter -> Render -> Clouds. On the latter do exactly the same thing. For now we should have something like this

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Create new layer. Filter -> Render -> Clouds , then adjust hue/saturation (CTRL + U) as seen on picture below:

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Now we use Filter -> Blur -> Radial Blur and use Zoom blur method, amount aprox 30-40. Layer -> Layer Mask -> Reveal all. Now select Gradient tool (G key). Make sure you have default colors (d) and that you have selected foreground to transparent gradient. With Mask selected, make 4 gradients from north, east, south, west to aprox. 1/3rd of the picture. I ended up with this:

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Duplicate this layer. Invert it(CTRL + I). Use Edit -> Transform -> Warp and warp it the way you like. That is all. This is my result:

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Hope you like this tut. Do not hesitate to experiment. If you feel like it, please comment or better add some of your ideas with us.