Custom Gradients?

This reader from South America asks:

"I can't seem to get any gradients other than grayscale or the odd ones built into Photoshop? How can I make my own gradients?"

Reply:

It can be confusing at first -- but once you make your first custom gradient in Photoshop, you'll start having lots of gradient fun. Here's how...

Custom Gradients first require that you select and open the Gradient Tool Editor. It's up there in the options bar -- just click on the sample Gradient and the palette will open.

If you click on one of the existing gradients, it may be easier to edit than to generate a new one from scratch. Select a gradient that is similar to the one you're thinking about building.

Observe in the sample Gradient bar that there are little Color Stops pointing at the bar. (The ones on the bottom of the bar pointing up... some say they look like "houses")

* Double-Clicking a Color Stop and you'll be able to edit the color.
* Slide the Color Stop left or right and you control its position
* Click once in the blank space under the bar to add a new Color Stop
* To remove a Color Stop, click and drag it straight down, and off the bar.

You should always SAVE your custom gradients. Save it by first naming it in the name field. Then click on the "New" button. Your gradient will be added to the collection. On properly configured computers, that gradient will be available in Photoshop for use later in other files.

The Gradient is a wonderfully powerful tool -- and has many hidden features. Lots of people ask about it, so watch in the Photoshop Tips & Tricks section of the Design Center for a more full, pictorial, primer on making Gradients.

Comments

[Linda L Lanese]

Can I create a metal gradient with Rivets? Like an aircraft skin? Can I make a gradient and then save it as a .grd file?

Thanks

[Jocelyn]

How do you create a GRD file in PCS2?

[Fred Showker]

Photoshop will not see the custom gradient from Paint Shop Pro. You'll need to build it within Photoshop. Just follow the previous instructions...

TO ALGIS COMMENT:
"Darkish Paint Swirls" ... you've posted this to the WRONG PLACE. Chances are it will NOT be answered. You need to post your questions at the receiving area:

[Kristy]

I'm trying to use a shiny brass gradient from Paint Shop Pro to fill letters in PS and don't know how to convert it to a '.grd' file. PSP converts files to .psd files so I converted it to a Photoshop file only can't convert it to a PS gradient. None of the colors in the gradient tool editor are close to what I need. Any help will be very much appreciated.

[Algis]

How can I create a background in Photoshop made up of lots of darkish paint swirls similar to the ones that a lot of portrait photographers use in the studio?