1. Create a new 300x300 image with a White Background. Create a New layer. Make a circular selection in the center. Anti-alias should be checked. Flood fill with the following gradient:

Settings used:

• Gradient = Duotone light blue
• Angle = 0
• Repeat = 0
• Style = Linear
• Invert = Unchecked

2. With the selection still active, create a new layer. Go to Effects | 3D Effects | Cutout... and use the following settings:

Settings used:

• Vertical = 0
• Horizontal = 0
• Opacity = 100
• Blur = 5
• Shadow Color = Black
• Fill interior with color = Unchecked

Press Ctrl+D to select none.

Make the middle layer active again then go to Effects | 3D Effects | Drop Shadow... Use the following settings:

Settings used:

• Vertical = 0
• Horizontal = 0
• Opacity = 100
• Blur = 5
• Color = Black
• Shadow on new layer = Checked

3. Hide the background layer and merge the visible layers. With the new merged layers active, go to Effects | Illumination Effects | Lights... First, in the preset drop-down menu, select the "Soft Blue" preset, then enter the following settings: (NOTE: If you do not have the Soft Blue preset, download the zip and unzip the file to your Presets folder.)

Settings used:

• Color = White
• Intensity = 10
• Direction = 315
• Horizontal = 50
• Vertical = 50
• Cone Size = 35

4. Duplicate the current layer. Go to Effects | Illumination Effects | Sunburst... and use the Default settings.

Now Gaussian Blur by 5 and set the layer to Overlay. Duplicate the current layer and then set it to Multiply.

5. Go back and make the layer above the Background active. Press Ctrl+A, Ctrl+F, then Ctrl+Shift+F to create a selection. Press F to Flood Fill with the following Gradient.

Settings used:

• Gradient = Fading white
• Angle = 315
• Repeat = 0
• Style = Linear
• Invert = Unchecked

That's it! Now you can create a smooth orb.