Milky Way Effect Photoshop Tutorial

Updated May 2017 for compatibility with newer versions of Photoshop.

Compatible with Photoshop CC 2017 

• Create a new image around 500×500 px
• Fill the background with black
• Go to Filter > Filter Gallery 
• Select the Plastic Wrap thumbnail in the gallery
  Highlight Strength: 20 | Detail: 15 | Smoothness: 15
  Click OK
• Go to Filter > Distort > Wave
  Keep the default settings and hit OK
  (Wavelength: 10/20 | Amplitude: 5/35 | Scale: 100/100)
• Go to Filter > Filter Gallery
• Select Distort > Diffuse Glow
  Graininess: 6 | Glow Amount: 0 | Clear Amount: 20
  Click OK
• Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation
  Check Colorize | Hue: 70 | Saturation: 30 | Lightness: 0
• Go to Filter > Distort > Twirl
  Angle: ~375
• Continue to tinker for the right color

Compatible up to Photoshop CS5

• Create a new image around 500×500 px
• Fill the background with black
• Go to Filter > Artistic > Plastic Wrap
  Highlight Strength: 20 | Detail: 15 | Smoothness: 15
• Click OK
• Go to Filter > Distort > Wave
  Keep the default settings and hit OK
• Go to Filter > Distort > Diffuse Glow
  Graininess: 6 | Glow Amount: 0 | Clear Amount: 20
• Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation
  Check Colorize | Hue: 70 | Saturation: 30 | Lightness: 0
• Go to Filter > Distort > Twirl
  Angle: ~375