Gradient Tool

ALT-G

The gradient tool is used to create various kinds of gradients - smooth color transitions.

When you select the gradient tool, the Tool Options Panel will show the options for the gradient tool. These allow you to:

• preset a name for the layer you're about to create,
• choose the type of gradient to create, and
• chose the blend method that the gradient will be created with

The first and the last of these don't matter too much, because they can both be adjusted later using the Params Panel if necessary, but the middle option is crucial. There are 4 choices available:

• Linear - this produces a simple gradient which changes from the foreground color on one side of the canvas to the background color on the other side. Click where you want the foreground color to start, and drag to where you want the transition to end. The gradient will be created perpendicular to the line you drag out.
• Radial - this produces a circular gradient; concentric rings of the same color. Click where you want the center of the circles to be, and drag to set the radius of the transition.
• Conical - this produces a series of lines, each of a different color. The lines radiate out from a fixed position, and go in all directions. Click to set the center, and drag to indicate the direction in which the foreground and background colors should go.
• Spiral - this produces a spiral gradient. My previous 3 descriptions were bad enough, so I'm not even going to attempt this one! Hopefully there's a screen shot below.  :) Click to set the center of the spiral and drag to set the 'tightness'.