User's Manual
493
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2
User Guide
Note: The Gradient tool cannot be used with bitmap, indexed-color, or 16-bits-per-channel images.
You fill an area with a gradient by dragging in the image. The starting point (where the mouse is pressed) and ending
p
oint (where the mouse is released) affect the gradient appearance, depending on the Gradient tool used.
1 To fill part of the image, select the desired area. Otherwise, the gradient fill is applied to the entire active layer.
2 Select the Gradient tool
3 Choose a gradient fill in the options bar:
.
• Click the triangle next to the gradient sample to pick a preset gradient fill.
• Clickinside thegradientsampletoviewthe Gradient Editor.Selectapreset gradient fill,orcreateanewgradient
fill. Then click OK. (See “To create a smooth gradient” on page 494.)
4 Select an option for applying the gradient fill in the options bar:
Linear gradient Shades from the starting point to the ending point in a straight line.
Radial gradient Shades from the starting point to the ending point in a circular pattern.
Angle gradient Shades in a counterclockwise sweep around the starting point.
Reflected gradient Shades using symmetric linear gradients on either side of the starting point.
Diamond gradient Shades from the starting point outward in a diamond pattern. The ending point defines one
corner of the diamond.
5 Do the following in the options bar:
• Specify a blending mode and opacity for the paint. (See “List of blending modes” on page 487.)
• To reverse the order of colors in the gradient fill, select Reverse.
• To create a smoother blend with less banding, select Dither.
• To use a transparency mask for the gradient fill, select Transparency. (See “To specify the gradient transparency”
on page 495.)
6 Position the pointer in the image where you want to set the starting point of the gradient, and drag to define the
ending point. To constrain the line angle to a multiple of 45˚, hold down Shift as you drag.
About the Gradient Editor
The Gradient Editor dialog box lets you define a new gradient by modifying a copy of an existing gradient. You can
also add intermediate colors to a gradient, creating a blend between more than two colors.