08:49, 10th Jul 2009
zombie2279: A rather simple piece, but might be quite useful. Make the impact effect and the beam itself more distinct from each other, that could be achieved with making the impact effect more realistic, maybe with using a darker tone and detailing the outlines. I'd recommend using a different, lighter color for the beam, light blue and a bit faint dark blue on the edges. The circular flow around the beam looks a bit distorted and distortive torwards the rest of the icon, shade and highlight it to make it more realistic. Don't forget to add a slight glow around the whole thing.

15th Jul
zombie2279: Rejected until updated.

Okay, your concept is generally nice. The idea of the particle flow around the beam itself gives a nice effect ,you should still try to always keep a similar distance to the beam on both sides, and the bright core of the beam accents the surrounding glow.

For the flowing and swirling particle beam, you should choose a very low transparency (5-10% max) if possible (if impossible, don't, just follow the following advice), and make it a bit smaller.
That does not only offers the possibility to add more surroundings, it also hides undetailed parts.

If you decide to dircet the impact upwards, just as you did, you should increase the contrast between the beam and the impact's lightning/glow/explosion.

If you direct it to the ground, just as i did in the following example, you don't have to do that.

I made a quick drawing of what i'd imagine.

I like that icon, but that what you made as quick drawing just seems abit wrong to me ._.
5/5, i think i got just good use for it...

yup paladon says it all btw a quick drawing...? :O *awed into silence* ^^

also you should try wacking in some colour variation, mebe violet or greeny/turqoise or somin gd luck XD

Sexy, sexy, sexy.
Although I don't like the base too much. I don't know, it just seems... odd.
Sorry for being so vague.

wow, I didn't know, that it was so good
okay, I centered now the flow around the beam.
but what should I make more transparency? the beam, flow or explosion?
Don't know how I can make a better contrast between the explosion and the beam...
should I work on the background? adding some nice things, like in the icon of paladon? I could try it.
thx for your comments

oh and paladon, nice icon
I upload the new version later

Another lovely icon of a beam/ or somethin similar. 5/5.

i like it! so cool,5/5