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Step 1: Open up an image or artwork file in Photoshop of any size and/or format.  In our example we have used a screenshot from a real time strategy game called Warcraft.  Create a new layer on top of the others and make a straight white line along the Y axis using the line tool.  You can also use the rectangular marquee and Edit > Fill it with white if you prefer to work that way.  Whatever you decide, make the line as wide as your intended beam.

Step 2: With the line layer selected in the layers palette, choose Layer > Layer Style > Inner Glow from the main menu and duplicate the settings on the right. Ensure the blending mode is set to normal, and that the color appropriate to the intended color of your beam.  Ensure that the size of the effect is small so that your beam is only colored around the edges.  When you have done this, press OK.

Step 3: Duplicate your line layer by selecting Layer > Duplicate from the main menu, and create a blur with Filter > Blur > Radial Blur.  Duplicate the settings on the right. Set the blur slightly to the left of the ion beam (take a little time to adjust with the position and strength of the blur so that it's more like a half glow when you're done).

Step 4: Duplicate the blurred layer again, and flip it horizontally with Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontally. Now merge the two blur layers together (you should be left with a lightly glowing layer).

Step 5: Duplicate the blur layer once more and give the bottom blur layer a Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur >  Gaussian Blur).   Make the blur strong so that it looks like a larger glow. Once you have done this, set the top layer blending mode to color dodge and layer merge downwards. Set the merged blur layer's blending mode to color dodge, and merge down again. You should be left with a glowing beam much like the one on the left.

Step 6: Create a new layer on top of all the others and, using the Brush Tool with a white color, draw a ball with an energy trail.

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