Gradient: opaque to transparent

[Chuck Snyder]

Martha, do you want the gradient to be a solid color at the top (or bottom) slowing fading to transparent at the opposite end? If so, a gradient fill layer should do the trick for you:

1. With your photo open as the background layer, go to Layer>New Fill Layer>Gradient>OK.

2. Then, in the Gradient Fill dropdown, select the Foreground-to-Transparent gradient (one of the default choices) and set the angle. That will give you a black-to-transparent gradient.

3. Double-click in the box next to Gradient: and that will bring you to the Gradient Editor. About 2/3 of the way down the box will be a long bar representing the gradient; click on the color stop at the black end of the bar (probably the left end, on the bottom of the bar). This should turn the box color box below it from grayed out to black. Double-click on the color in the box to get to the Color Picker. Choose your color and hit OK.

4. You can vary the gradient by moving and/or adding Opacity stops on the Gradient Editor. You can also vary the opacity of the layer to fine-tune what you want.

After writing all this, I hope I answered the right question...!!

Chuck

[Martha Weijers]

I would like to know how to create a color gradient, from opaque to transparent, and place it on top of a photo. I am using PE2 on WinXP. My hubby can create this on his Mac OS 10.2 very easily.

[Chuck Snyder]

Martha: I found the Crosshatch, and it's one of those artistic effects that you adjust based on what kind of effect you're looking for. The three sliders (stroke length, sharpness and strength) can be adjusted and the results viewed in the preview screen that's part of the Crosshatch dropdown. Note that the strength has only 3 settings, while the stroke length can range from 3 to 50 and the sharpness from 0 to 20. I'd recommend just playing with them until you get a pleasing effect.

Chuck

[Martha Weijers]

Chuck,

Thank you sooooooooo much!!!!!! It worked just like I wanted!

If you have a few minutes I would like to ask you something else.

I am trying to get my Crosshatch filter to work. Do you have any advice?

[Chuck Snyder]

Martha: I've never tried - or even found - the Crosshatch filter. But I'll look into it. Meanwhile, some of the others on this forum may pick up the challenge. If you don't get a nibble on this string of messages, you might want to start another topic. Glad the gradient worked for you!

Chuck

[Jodi Frye]

I love crosshatch !!!!! I use it frequently. Actually, combining filters is very cool as well. Everyone should do a quick graphic and play with the filters on them....it's amazing how you can take a so-so image and render it into a work of art...glorious ! Oh yes, talent helps :)