Adobe Photoshop, a graphics design and photo editing computer program, includes a variety of tools that are useful in creating visual effects and digital manipulations in images. With a single Photoshop filter, you can create digital sun rays that can be used in a graphic, or blended into a photograph to create simulated sun rays in the sky. The process is relatively simple and requires little experience with Photoshop, but can provide a dramatic effect.

Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions

1
Create a new file in Photoshop by clicking on the "File" menu and selecting "New." Choose dimensions that match your desired sun rays size, and choose any background color. If you are planning to add the sun rays to a photograph, select the "Transparent" background option.

2
Click on the "Rectangular Marquee Tool," and click and drag in your new image to make a selection. Your selection should be a narrow rectangle that runs from the bottom of the image to the top.

3
Select the "Paint Bucket" tool and a fill color. You can choose whatever color you would like to make your sun rays, but if you will be adding the effect to a photograph, a light gray color works best.

4
Click on the "Move Tool" in the toolbox.

5
Hold down the Alt key (Option on Mac OS X) and drag your rectangle to automatically duplicate it. Move your rectangle to the right, and continue this process until you have filled your image with rectangles. The size and spacing of your rectangles will determine the size and spacing of your sun rays.

6
Open the "Filter" menu and choose "Distort" and then "Polar coordinates." Check the "Rectangular to polar" box and press "OK" to automatically turn your rectangles into sun rays.