1. Particle Illusion

this scene's fireballs were done with Particle Illusion2 SE

2. Photoshop Brushes

3. Photoshop (and similar apps) plugins
   :)

there's a HUGE load of ways ot do this
please forgive me for brekaing a forum rule about using large images, it's necessary to show this :)

I did this pic's SFX, using Photoshop brushes, each on it's own layer, white colour, applying a Layer Style, either Outer glow with a noise gradient, or gradient overlay again with a noise gradient

Please see my tutorials on Postwork etc

http://www.silverblades-suitcase.com/tutorials/htm/45.html

http://www.silverblades-suitcase.com/tutorials/htm/38.html

Also using Vue plants for SFX!

http://www.silverblades-suitcase.com/tutorials/htm/35.html

Using existing images and Vue materials to create a fiery sword
http://www.silverblades-suitcase.com/tutorials/htm/34.html

Photoshop plugins (I'll need to update this one)
http://www.silverblades-suitcase.com/tutorials/htm/29.html

"I'd rather be a Fool who believes in Dragons, Than a King who believes in Nothing!" www.silverblades-suitcase.com
Free tutorials, Vue & Bryce materials, Bryce Skies, models, D&D items, stories.
Tutorials on Poser imports to Vue/Bryce, Postwork, Vue rendering/lighting, etc etc!