creating realistic lightning

[Gamerprinter]

Ah, I missed that. OK, then lightning, I've done that too in maps, or at least arcs of electricity.

I draw an appropriately wide line (4 - 8 pixels wide on a letter size area) in an appropriate color - white, blue, purple (whatever fits). Although like Angelize suggests I also apply a glow shadow in the same or slightly lighter color than the line itself. I often convert the line to shape, then apply both an edge feather and a slight transparency to the line shape. I often end the arc with an explosion of electricity wider than the line shape of the arc.