Adobe 29180155 User Guide - Page 245

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 4.0 240 User Guide To 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 . 3 In the options bar, click the desired gradient type. 4 Choose a gradient fill from the Gradient Picker pop-up palette in the options bar. 5 (Optional) Set gradient options in the 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 pop-up slider or enter an opacity value. Reverse Switches the order of the colors in the gradient fill. Dither Creates a smoother blend with less obvious bands of color. Transparency Uses the gradient's transparency (instead of any transparent areas in the image) if the gradient has transparent areas. 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. To 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 Command-click the thumbnail for the text layer in the Layers palette to select the text. 4 Select the Gradient tool. 5 In the options bar, click the desired gradient type. 6 Choose a gradient fill from the Gradient Picker pop-up palette. 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. See also "To simplify a layer" on page 87 To 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. A B C Gradient Editor dialog box. A. Color stop B. Midpoint C. Opacity stop