Adobe 65045315 - Photoshop Elements Use Manual page 256

USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10
Painting
Gradients are stored in libraries. You can choose a different library of gradients to display in the Gradient Picker menu
by clicking the small triangle in the menu and selecting a library at the bottom of the list. You can also save and load
your own libraries of gradients in this menu. You can also manage gradients by using the Preset Manager.
More Help topics
"Create fill layers" on page 78
Apply a gradient
1 To fill part of the image, select the area with one of the selection tools. Otherwise, the gradient fill is applied to the
entire active layer.
2 Select the Gradient tool
In the options bar, click the desired gradient type.
3
Choose a gradient fill from the Gradient Picker panel in the options bar.
4
5 (Optional) Set gradient options in the options bar.
Specifies how the gradient blends with the existing pixels in the image.
Mode
Sets the opacity of the gradient. A low opacity setting allows pixels under the gradient to show through. Drag
Opacity
the pop-up slider or enter an opacity value.
Switches the order of the colors in the gradient fill.
Reverse
Creates a smoother blend with less obvious bands of color.
Dither
Uses the gradient's transparency (instead of any transparent areas in the image) if the gradient has
Transparency
transparent areas.
In the image, position the pointer where you want to set the starting point of the gradient, and drag to define the
6
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.
Control-click (Command-click in Mac OS) the thumbnail for the text layer in the Layers panel to select the text.
3
Select the Gradient tool.
4
5 In the options bar, click the desired gradient type.
Choose a gradient fill from the Gradient Picker panel.
6
Position the pointer on the text where you want to set the starting point of the gradient, and drag to define the
7
ending point.
More Help topics
"Simplify a layer" on page 68
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Last updated 1/2/2012
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