Adobe 29180155 - Photoshop Elements 4.0 Tutorial page 249

4. Choose a gradient fill from the Gradient Picker panel in the Tool Options bar.
5. (Optional) Set gradient options in the Tool Options bar.
Mode Specifies how the gradient blends with the existing pixels in the image.
Opacity Sets the opacity of the gradient. A low opacity setting allows pixels under the gradient to show through. Drag the
slider or enter an opacity value.
Reverse Switches the order of the colors in the gradient fill.
Transparency Uses the gradient's transparency (instead of any transparent areas in the image) if the gradient has transparent
areas.
Dither Creates a smoother blend with less obvious bands of color.
6. In the image, position the pointer where you want to set the starting point of the gradient, and drag to define the ending point.
To constrain the gradient angle to a multiple of 45°, hold down Shift as you drag.
Apply gradient fill to text
1. Select the text you want to fill.
2. Choose Layer > Simplify Layer to convert the vector text to a bitmap image. You won't be able to edit the text after you
simplify the layer.
3. Control-click (Command-click in Mac OS) the thumbnail for the text layer in the Layers panel to select the text.
4. Select the Gradient tool.
5. In the Tool Options bar, click the desired gradient type.
6. Choose a gradient fill from the Gradient Picker panel.
7. Position the pointer on the text where you want to set the starting point of the gradient, and drag to define the ending point.
Define a gradient
You can define your own gradients in the Gradient Editor dialog box. A gradient can include two or more colors, or one or more colors that fade to
transparency.
Gradient Editor dialog box.
A. Color Stop B. Color Midpoint C. Opacity Stop
To define a gradient, you add a color stop to add a color to the gradient, drag the color stop and the midpoint icon to define the range between two
colors, and adjust the Opacity stops to specify the transparency that you want in the gradient.
1. From the Draw section in the toolbox, select the Gradient tool.
2. To display the Gradient Editor dialog box, click the Edit button below the gradient sample.
3. In the Preset section of the Gradient Editor dialog box, select a gradient on which to base your new gradient.
4. To choose colors for your gradient, double-click the color stop, or click the Color swatch to display the Color Picker. Choose a
color, and click OK.
5. To adjust the color stop location of a color, drag the stop left or right.
6. To add a color to the gradient, click below the gradient bar to define another color stop.
7. To adjust the location of the transition midpoint between colors, drag the diamond below the gradient bar to the left or right.
8. To delete the color stop you are editing, click Delete.
9. To set the color transition's smoothness, enter a percentage in the Smoothness text box, or drag the slider.
10. If desired, set transparency values for the gradient by dragging the Opacity stops.
11. To save the gradient in the gradient presets, enter a name for the new gradient, and then click Add to preset.
12. Click OK. The newly created gradient is selected and ready to use.
Specify gradient transparency
Each gradient fill contains settings (opacity stops) that control the opacity of the fill at different locations in the gradient. The checkerboard pattern
indicates the amount of transparency in the gradient preview. Gradients need at least two opacity stops.
1. Create a gradient.
To the top
To the top
To the top