How do you make gradient in Photoshop?

[Tran]

Like this picture?



With Paint.NET, I can just put two pictures, then drag a line, and it's done.

With Adobe Photoshop CS2, I simply have no idea how to do that. Dragging a gradient line simply can't "remove" part of the picture, at best I can only place another "gradient color" on top of it. I've been Googling for Gradient tutorial too, but none explain what I needed. I know this sound silly, but I have never figured out how to do that in Photoshop

Anyone have any idea?

[sapi]

Gradient with two pictures, do you mean?

I've no real experience with that, but you could always achieve such an effect with the feather tool...

I suggest that you pm Kraellin if you continue to have troubles - he seems to be the resident PS whizz.

[Tran]

Gradient with two pictures, do you mean?

Exactly.

By the way, I'd prefer to discuss this openly in the thread. Therefore, we (beginner) all can at least learn something

[Lemur]

I know how to do it, but not how to describe it. Frustrating. Here's an online tutorial on the gradient tool, which may be of some help.

[Tran]

Sorry, but I can't find anything that taught me how to do it there.

[macsen rufus]

In Photoshop the secret is to use layer masks:

You need two layers to start with, one for each image, and I think they both have to be added as layers, don't think it works on background layer. Needs to be in RGB mode.

Keep your HISTORY window open as there's likely to be a lot of trial and error as you will probably want to change the results a few time

For each layer the process will be the same:

1) go to LAYERS > ADD LAYER MASK > HIDE ALL
2) open gradient tool (you might need to right-click your paint-bucket tool to find it)
3) at the top of your workspace there are gradient options
4) select a linear gradient from the four little icons there (but do feel free to play with radial, reflected etc, it's fun!)
5) open the drop-down menu from the gradient display and select "FOREGROUND to TRANSPARENT"
6) if you want a left-right gradient drag your cursor across the layer mask horizontally
7) go to LAYERS>REMOVE LAYER MASK>APPLY
8) you should now see the original image fade from 100% opacity to transparent across the area you dragged (if not then my memory is not as good as I thought )
9) a tip: a gradient will only work over the area dragged, so if you want a small area of fade but leave a larger area unfaded, just drag a short line near the middle of the image then you'll have a solid area, a rapid fade, then a transparent area

REPEAT on the other layer, but dragging your gradient tool in the opposite direction. You should now have two fades that overlap -- if you're happy with the results goto LAYERS>MERGE VISIBLEand that will leave you a single layer with the two images fading into each other.

Good luck!