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Photoshop Techniques - Simple Step Glass Ball Tutorial 

Step 1) Using the circular marquee tool, make a simple circle using any color you like. We will think red for this example.
Step 2 - Give the circle an inner-glow layer effect by changing the glow color to black and changing the blend mode to multiply. Using an inner shadow can result in an angular deflection which is why we use the inner glow method for uniformity.
Step 3. Load the selection from the circular area and on a new layer drag the linear gradient (white to transparent) downwards from top (close to the bottom but not completely bottom).
Step 4) To transform the white gradient, press Ctrl/Cmd T. Drag the handles bringing it upwards going halfway through, and drag it just a small amount inward from the top and sides. Now to create a merge composite layer: Hide the background. Create a new blank layer on top and press Alt Ctrl Shift E or Option Cmd Shift E on Mac, to create a merged layer on top.
Step 5) Taking the merged layer, generate a circular selection above, being bigger than the original circle. Eye it to judge what looks right and copy the section and paste it in to a new layer. The top segment of the orb is created. Place it again in the exact position.
Step 6. Now to go onto the base of the orb. In a new layer create an eleptical shape that fits into the lower half of the circle. Duplicate this layer and reduce the size a little, as shown in fig.6.
Step 7. Select the larger ellipse layer and load its selection by pressing Ctrl/Cmd and clicking on the layer thumbnail. Now select the cylindrical gradient tool and going with the grey-white-grey-white-grey color combo, drag across.
Step 8 - Again, duplicate this layer bringing the duplicate upward. Arrange the small white portion to above the actual gradiated layer. Link both of these layers while reducing their size some, to ensure that the outer gradiated ellipse is just within the red circle.
Step 9 - Choose the duplicated gradient layer, giving it a slightly different gradient of greys and whites. Bring the duplicated gradient layer down, positioning it under both of the other layers. Move it to where it is seen from both sides as it is the rim of the orb.
Step 10. Now to remove the portions of the orb that aren't required. As before by keeping Ctrl/Cmd pressed and clicking on the layer thumbnails; first select the large outer rim elipse (with the gray gradient) and then Shift Ctrl/Cmd Click on the thumbnail of the the upper top portion layer (created in step 5). You will now have the 2 ellipses selected. We want to also select the bottom portion of the orb. Choose the Rectangular marquee tool hold down shift and drag over the bottom portion. Inverse the selection (Ctrl/Cmd Shift I) and delete the middle portion of the orb. The figure should look as it is in Fig.10.
Step 11) Let's create the glass portion. Make a circle of the same size of the orb in any color and place it behind the other layers.
Step 12) Just like the first outer orb, give it the same type of inner-glow effect, and bring it forward as to cover all but the red outer portions of the orb.
Step 13) Go to the layer palette and make the fill amount =0 to make the layer invisible, but keeps the layer effects visible.
Step 14) Create a white gradient reflection like in the red circle, in a new layer above the glass layer, to have a more realistic lighting effect. You will have to adjust the settings as needed to make it as realistic looking as possible.
Step 15 -Select the base layers, which are the grey metal gradient layers and the white ellipse, merging them together. Press Cntrl U to fine-tune the hue of the layer. Since it is at this point grey, click on colorize, and convert to a reddish color to keep with the color of the orb itself.
Step 16. Finally give a very slight drop shadow to the upper portion of the red orb, just to attain more realism. Secondly the lower portion seems off. SO create a new layer above the red lower orb portion. Then select the radial gradient tool, and select the white to nothing option. Now drag from somewhere above the red to a little bit in. Erase portions that arent contained within the red portion. Check Fig.16. to see the effect.
Now you have a glass ball. Any items can be displayed inside the ball now, but make sure they have a good reflection effect added on. This effect will provide the base a shiny and realistic look.

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