Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 13-19. The Gradient tool's Tool Options settings give you lots of ways to customize how you
apply a gradient.
For example, say you're using a yellow-to-white gradient. If you click to end the gradient
one-third of the way into your photo, the yellow stops transitioning at that point, since you
told Elements to stop the gradient there, and the remaining two-thirds of your photo get
covered with white. In other words, a gradient put down by this tool covers the
entire
avail-
able space—your whole photo, in this case. Clicking stops the color
transition
—no more
yellow beyond that point—but the gradient's end color fills in everyplace else. (Don't worry:
This is much easier to understand once you try it.) So if you don't want your whole image af-
fected by the gradient's colors, create a selection first and then drag the gradient within the
selection to confine it to that area.
TIP
The Gradient tool puts the gradient on the same layer as the image you apply it to, which
means that it's hard to change anything about a gradient after you apply it. If you think
you might want to alter a gradient, use a Gradient Fill layer instead.
