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12/26/2006 12:23:40 AM · #1 |
| How come when I use the gradient tool to make a gradient, when I try to make a second gradient on the same layer, it removes the first gradient? This is driving me nuts. Any help would be great. Thanks! |
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12/26/2006 12:47:34 AM · #2 |
I put each gradient in a separate adjustment layer so I can play with them individually. Um... the rest of what I was going to say (after you design a gradient you can save it to the gradient palet to use later.) may only apply to Adobe Illustrator. I can't remember how to do it in Photoshop.
Message edited by author 2006-12-26 00:47:57. |
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12/26/2006 01:38:31 AM · #3 |
You may just have to put each gradient on it's own layer, unless there's some other work-around
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12/26/2006 03:36:04 AM · #4 |
If you are applying gradients from one color to another (a black-to-white, for example, or a blue-to-yellow, whatever, then each application of a gradient on a given layer is completely opaque, and hides the one underneath it. Now, on the one hand, you can apply the second gradient and immediately go to "edit/fade" and fade that second gradient; that's one way to merge them.
In general it's best to create a new layer (shift-cntrl-n) for each gradient. Then you can fade each of them in and out and you can use different layer modes on them as well.
Another thing to be aware of is the preset called "foreground-to-transparent"; now that is priceless. You can open a new layer, set it to multiply, pick a blue color that looks right for foreground color, and lay down a sky gradient which you can then hue/sat and/or fade for subtle sky effects. You can open a new layer in
`overlay" mode, choose "set overlay neutral color", and then lay a black-to-transparent gradient on that for a gradient burn that does not effect the color tones at all, just how bright or dark they are.
There's a whole lot of things you can do with gradients :-)
R.
Message edited by author 2006-12-26 12:05:39.
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12/26/2006 09:53:47 AM · #5 |
| With reference to Robert's post, if you set the "foreground to transparent" preset, then you can paint several gradients on a single layer. The densities add up. It's very useful in a number of ways. |
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12/26/2006 12:05:02 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
With reference to Robert's post, if you set the "foreground to transparent" preset, then you can paint several gradients on a single layer. The densities add up. It's very useful in a number of ways. |
Oh, definitely, though in my experience it's still better to run a separate layer for each gradient. When you have them all the way you want them, you can merge them into a single gradient layer if you wish. Do you have an example of an adjustment for which multiple gradients on a single layer actually would work better?
R.
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12/26/2006 12:53:12 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by kirbic:
With reference to Robert's post, if you set the "foreground to transparent" preset, then you can paint several gradients on a single layer. The densities add up. It's very useful in a number of ways. |
Do you have an example of an adjustment for which multiple gradients on a single layer actually would work better?
R. |
Not offhand... I do use this all the time though. Take for example a hypothetical landscape where the sky and foreground need separate tweaks. My M.O. is usually to use a broad gradient to define the selection if at all possible, avoiding the never-ending death spiral of selection accuracy inherent in trying to make a sharp selection. if the horizon is not straight, then a simple gradient doesn't work. Using "foreground to transparent," I can use multiple gradients, stepping back if I make a mistake, and rapidly build the proper mask. This works whether working non-destructively (layer mask on an adjustment layer) or destructively (quick mask mode). |
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12/26/2006 02:04:03 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Not offhand... I do use this all the time though. Take for example a hypothetical landscape where the sky and foreground need separate tweaks. My M.O. is usually to use a broad gradient to define the selection if at all possible, avoiding the never-ending death spiral of selection accuracy inherent in trying to make a sharp selection. if the horizon is not straight, then a simple gradient doesn't work. Using "foreground to transparent," I can use multiple gradients, stepping back if I make a mistake, and rapidly build the proper mask. This works whether working non-destructively (layer mask on an adjustment layer) or destructively (quick mask mode). |
Right. I used to do it that way, but have found that working with cntrl-shift-n - gradient, cntrl-shift-n - gradient, etc etc, naming each new layer with the gradient I am using (sky grad, fore grad, corner grad, whatever) gives me more flexibility. I used to do a sky gradient, use edit/fade to fade it in, then add a foreground gradient on the same layer and edit/fade that one to match, but those were not easily revertible steps later in the workflow. So I make every gradient on its own new layer and then link them all up and I'm in business.
R.
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12/26/2006 03:10:20 PM · #9 |
I tutorial on this would be invaluable for someone like me. I get the gist of what you guys are saying but following an example always concretes the ideas for me.
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12/27/2006 11:58:59 PM · #10 |
Thanks Bear and Kirbic for your ideas! I agree that a tutorial would be awesome for something like this. I guess I still don't understand excatly how to do it. I'll try your tips and see how it goes.
Thanks again. I really appreciate everyone's time and sharing your expertise.
Cheers,
-Jeremy |
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