The above pic is a WIP. I'm changing the sky a bit and adding more detail, but I was very happy with the Lightning effect within the clouds that I have achieved. All I've done is create a cloud from a mass of spheres (check out Brycetech for the tutorial) and then changed two of the spheres into radial lights. I changed the lights to infinite and the base color to a purplish-white.

Just wanted to share if this hasn't already been pointed out. If someone else has already given this technique away, then here's to renewing the topic.

Later...

Thanks enforcer I hadn't heard of this before, although I used a similar technique for a flak burst on my hellcat picture in my gallery.

I've used rock objects instead of spheres to get a more non uniform look with less objects. Like the pegasus image in my gallery.

Good idea. I've just discovered that you can use this to animate the lightning as well. Just set the lights to pulse on for a second and then go off. Lights placed in a diffent sector of the cloud can then go on at a different time. It's a really cool effect. I wish I had time to play with this more.