In this tutorial, I’ll explain a quick and easy way to make a starburst effect.

First, create a new document in Photoshop. I’ll use 600 x 400 as my dimensions and 72 as my resolution. Now, choose your gradient tool, and make a top-to-bottom gradient, with the top color being “00aeff” and the bottom being “005a84.”

Now, go to Filter > Distort > Wave, and use these settings:

After you’ve done that, go to Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates and select “Rectangular to Polar.”

Here’s your final image:

I’ve released two .PSD files on my deviantART. One is a bubble, the other one is the .PSD of my Pidgin icon.

I’ve made an action for Photoshop aimed at Icon developers.

Similar to IconBuilder, you import the action, open IconConstructor.jpg, place your 256×256 icon directly in the middle of the 256×256 square, and run the action. It will then generate 128×128, 64×64, 32×32, and 16×16 sizes.

View its page to download.