Gradient Controls

This section describes the Gradient controls. For information about using gradients, see Creating Gradients.

To access the Gradient controls:

1. Select a layer in the workspace.
2. Choose Operators | Paint to add a Paint operator to the selected layer.
3. In the Modes controls, click the Gradient color mode button.
4. Click the Gradient button to display the Gradient controls.

The Gradient controls appear.

The Gradient controls are made up of the following elements.

Direction Control Box

Use the direction controls to change the selected gradient's orientation. For finer control, use the gradient control bar (located on the Toolbar tool options). You also get a preview of what the selected gradient type and orientation looks like in the direction control box.

Note: For more information on using the gradient control bar to fine-tune the orientation, see Setting Gradient Direction.

Gradient Type Buttons

Click one of the Gradient Type buttons to indicate what the gradient should look like.

Gradient Bars

The gradient bars give you a visual representation of how your gradient changes. Add tags to the gradient bar to control the colors, opacity, and the rate at which the color changes.

Color and Opacity Tags

Add tags to the Color or Opacity gradient bar to increase your level of control and complexity of the gradient.

Click the Color gradient bar to add a color tag at the position you clicked.

Double-click a color tag (or a selection of tags) to set the color for that tag.

Note: You can select multiple tags and set the color for them all simultaneously by double-clicking any one of the selected tags.

Opacity Slider

Once you add an Opacity tag to the opacity gradient bar, you set the opacity level at that tag using the Opacity slider.

Note: You can select multiple tags and set the opacity for them all simultaneously.

Remove Tags

Click the Remove Tags button to remove the selected tag(s).

Reverse Gradient

Click the Reverse Tags button to reverse all the tags on both gradient bars.

Distribute Tags

Click the Distribute button to evenly distribute the tags on both gradient bars.

Note: You can press Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) while dragging a tag to compress the distribution of a group of gradient tags.

Clear Gradient

Click the Clear button to delete all tags from the gradient and reset the color to the foreground color as specified in the Modes controls.