In this paper we demonstrate the possibility to produce single- and multimode waveguides with a well-defined number of guided modes in different doped and undoped glasses using fs laser pulses. In fused silica waveguides with damping values below 0.8 dB/cm have been realized. Moreover symmetrical beamsplitters and waveguides in different doped materials have been manufactured. Based on measurements of the generated refractive index changes calculations of the near-field intensity distribution of the guided light are performed and compared to experimental results.