Adobe 29180155 User Guide - Page 244

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 4.0 239 User Guide Gradients About gradients You fill an area with a gradient by dragging in the image or in a selection with the Gradient tool. The distance between the starting point (where you press and hold the mouse button) and ending point (where you release the mouse button) affects the gradient appearance, as does the gradient type. Using the Gradient tool and Gradient Editor, you can create a custom mix of colors in your photos You can choose any of the following gradient types 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. You can also use a Fill Layer to apply a gradient to your image. The fill layer gives you the added flexibility of changing the gradient properties and editing the fill layer's mask to limit the gradient to a portion of your image. Gradients are stored in libraries. You can choose a different library of gradients to display in the Gradient Picker pop-up 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. See also "To create fill layers" on page 97