Photoshop Gradients (and Elements)

How do I install Photoshop gradients -- tutorial

They are installed either via Photoshop file > open command (this adds the gradients to the existing set) or by using the gradient palette and the load / replace command.

The Photoshop gradients are all GRD format files - this is the standard format and is used by Photoshop CS5 CS4 CS3 CS2 etc as well as Photoshop Elements.

How do I create a beautiful sky with a Photoshop gradient - tutorial ?

There are many different gradients that can be used to create morning, daytime, night time skies.

The only thing you have to add are the characters or the clouds and the buildings and even then gradients can be used to create unusual skyline columns in seconds to simulate a city skyline.

The gradients can be applied dark to light (top to bottom) of the design - so select a dark blue and perhaps a light blue or perhaps a dark blue gradient and a golden glow for sunrise etc - of course, different color gradients can be used to create alien skies.

How can I find more Photoshop gradients - on this site!?

There are six volumes of gradients on this site, there are others on the web. This site has over 32,000 stunning Photoshop gradients for use in commercial as well as personal use. You can use the gradients can be used to create backgrounds. They can be used to create logo designs. They can be used in packaging, videos, book designs, in templates, web site designs and much more. Updated: January 2nd 2012.

Use Photoshop gradients in layer effects?

They can be used in a number of the effects in the layer style dialog: gradient overlay being the most obvious but they can also be used in the stroke and glow effects dialog section. The stroke gradient use is further enhanced by the powerful shapeburst options that can be used to create stunning frame designs.

How do I access the Photoshop gradients?

Assuming you have loaded the gradients. You can access the gradients via the gradient tool as well as via the map filter as well as new fill layer gradient and the layer style dialog (stroke, overlay etc). Doesn't sound much but the gradients can be used as a key source of designs throughout the application.

How do I create surreal color effects using the gradients?

In 100s of ways but you can use the colors to achieve some truly odd color effects by using the map filter. You can also apply multiple software to an image and use the blending modes to create weird and wonderful effects.

How can I load more Photoshop gradients?

You can use the file open command to load more and more of the tools but there are limits, each version of Photoshop comes with its own limit to the number of resources it can load. If you have a selection of gradient GRD files and you want them all in one single GRD file, simply use the file open command to load the gradients. Go to the gradients palette and right side menu and save all the color designs to a single GRD file. I would recommend backing up the original GRD files though in case the new file becomes corrupted at some point

How can I use Photoshop gradients to create 3D effects / designs - tutorial?

They can be very good at creating 3D effects. Use the gradient tool with the radial option to create spherical shapes. The ones that work best are the gradients with transparency but you can always add this by applying to a spherical selection.

1) elliptical marquee tool

2) create circular selection

3) select gradient tool

4) select the gradient from the palette

5) set gradient type to radial

6) set start origin point to be 1/3 horizontal / 1/3 vertical of selection

7) Apply gradient to the edge of the selection (or beyond if you wish to experiment with spheres)

example shows a single sphere created using a Photoshop radial gradient (highlight blue)

You can also then (as it is still in a selection) copy the sphere and re-apply the sphere multiple times as new layer by pasting the sphere (edit > paste) - the example below shows the gradient sphere copied and pasted. You could even create a similar design all on the same layer by creating a new selection and filling the selection with a gradient (though it is more likely that the gradients will not look the same as it is hard to judge perfectly the same exact length and origin of a gradient)

How can I change a gradient's color?

They are made up of color stops, by going to the gradient palette and clicking the gradient design a dialog will appear showing the gradient color stops as well as transparency stops. You can then double click the color stop to change the existing color. You can also click the gradient color bar (bottom part of the bar) to add a new color to the gradient, you can also select a stop and drag the stop off the bar to remove the color. The gradient can be made up of many color stops, or two stops which is the minimum allowed.

In the above example you will see three transparency stops (top row) - this is the dialog that appears if you click a gradient. The gradient is a modification of a default preset gradient. The bottom row shows three color stops. The end gradient transparency stops are 100% (solid) and the middle of the gradient is transparent with 0% setting. One end of the gradient is red, the middle black and the other end is green.

The actual result will depend on the various settings such as reverse (not set), background color (white) and the length of the gradient (bottom of the document) and the origin (center of the document) as well as blending mode (normal) and opacity (100%) as well as gradient type (radial).

A couple of minor changes will result in a totally different gradient result. The gradient also could be applied as a layer fill or layer effect. The center could be different, the blending mode 'difference' and so on - so you can see that it is possible, even with a single gradient, probably to create millions of unique and colorful designs.

Can I use gradients in grayscale / CMYK / RGB etc modes?

Yes, they can be used in all color modes except the indexed color mode. Just change the color mode via the image menu and then apply the design. You can also apply the effect to a particular color channel by going to the Photoshop channel palette and selecting that color alone and then apply the gradient

How can I use a gradient to create a pattern or brush?

They can be applied to a document in numerous ways. The best mode for a pattern is perhaps the reflected option but the key thing in creating a pattern is to avoid the edges / seams of the design. Transparency in a gradient is useful for creating a pattern as you can use this transparency to apply a gradient to selected parts of a design and then save the design as a pattern (define pattern command in the edit menu). Transparency in a design is also useful when creating brushes as you can apply the color to a selected area of an image, again avoiding the gradient reaching the edge of the image - then use the define brush command to create a new brush. Some of the brush sets as well as pattern sets have been created by using the same such methods.

Gradient overlays

Apply to an image using a opacity of less than 100%. Many of the gradients in the various collections also come with their own transparency information to allow for more or less of the image to be displayed. This transparency can be further modified by clicking on the gradient and changing the transparency stop settings. They can be applied in multiple directions using the gradient tool. The transparency information can be removed all together by setting the transparency check to off (along the gradient bar of Photoshop )

Combine multiple gradients over multiple layers

Combine gradients over multiple layers / applies using different blending modes such as 'multiply' 'difference'. You can combine the color effects in millions of different ways creating extreme color designs as well as subtle color effects depending on the blending modes applied. You can also achieve a similar effect by applying them to layers set with different blending modes.

Gradient types for the Photoshop gradients tutorial

Apply as radial / diamond / angle / reflected / linear.

Each type has its usefulness. The Photoshop help guide offers more explanation about the particular type and how the colors are mapped in each. My favorite always has to be radial. The diamond type is a very useful gradient for frames. Also by holding down the shift key you can apply the diamond type as a diamond or a square.

1) Linear

You can also apply the gradient at any angle as well as change the length and origin of the gradient (as well as the colors of the gradient)

2) Photoshop radial gradient

Again you can change the gradient itself (colors etc) as well as the length of the gradient and the origin - it doesn't need to be in the center

3) Photoshop angle gradient

Probably my least favourite as it has a strong line in the default gradient (if you have two stops).

If you set the two end stops to the same color then the result is smoother and not so bad

4) Photoshop Reflected gradient

A useful gradient as it just mirrors the stops - so if you have white and black, you will end up with a gradient (if you apply the gradient from one side to the other) going white to black and to white again. Great for columns

5) Diamond Photoshop gradient

Generates a diamond or square or a sparkle or star (combine a diamond and square)

Another couple more diamonds added and a wonderful star can be created (use to create millions of different hi-impact star designs or sparks)

1) set the gradient to diamond mode

2) apply gradient

3) set the blending mode for the gradient tool to lighten

4) Re-apply the gradient at a different angle

5) Re-apply at different angles to create star or spark effect

Selection masks and Photoshop gradients

Use gradients as selection masks. Click the quick mask mode button and then apply the design to the document. On exit, the selection will reflect the design

Gradients and color channels tutorial

Use the gradients across color channels. To use the colors in different color channels, go to the channels palette and select one of the channels and then apply the colors; go to another channel and apply the same or perhaps a different design or apply the same design in a different manner or perhaps using a different apply mode; and repeat depending on the number of channels.

Scripts and Photoshop gradients tutorial

Use the Photoshop gradients in scripts and actions.

By using the listener plugin (a plugin that comes with Photoshop but one that needs to be installed in the plug-in path - it is not installed by default) you can also observe the various settings associated with the gradient such as the type, angle, start and end position, the different stops used and the colors associated with the stop and the midpoints etc. The code requires some knowledge of scripts and does require a little re-working to make the various steps a little clearer.

The scripts can be used as a template for additional scripts. You can add random options to the gradient scripts by adding the math functions to the script. You can also add in loops and various conditions to the script. The gradients created can then be saved or used. To run the Photoshop gradients you must go the file > scripts menu.

Using a script allows for the effect to be repeated at a later time or the creation of gradients that might be nigh on impossible to create purely by adding stops to the gradient bar.

Actions do not allow for such flexibility but they do allow for the repeat of certain effects.

The pack 2 and pack 5 set from graphicxtras extensively used scripts to create the gradients and they include many weird and wonderful color and opacity settings such as alternating gradient stops with 100% or 50% opacity or changing the opacity by position or the inverse or perhaps in groupings of 5 gradient stops.

Text fills and Photoshop gradients tutorial

Use the Photoshop gradients in text fills. Either create text as a layer and then apply the design via layer style > gradient overlay

1) select text tool

2) select font etc

3) type text A B C etc

4) layer > layer style > gradient overlay

set the gradient as required, set the gradient type, angle and scale. You can also select the gradient as it is applied to the text and shift the gradient origin.

Or apply text as a selection and then apply the gradient to the selection or perhaps the inverse of the selection

1) text tool - horizontal type mask tool

2) select font and size etc

3) apply text

4) select the gradient tool

5) select the Photoshop gradient

6) apply gradient, repeat, change gradient etc as required

You can then also de-select the text and apply effects such as a blur or artistic effects to the gradient filled text

Or create text and flatten and then apply using a blending mode such as multiply or difference

Displacement maps and Gradients

They can be used as displacement maps, save to PSD format. The same approach as with the patterns needs to be applied though it does require a little trial and error and not all gradients will work well. Especially, you have to remember the displacement map is a grayscale image and not a color one.

Photoshop Gradient string

The gradients can be combined using different blending modes. Does depend on the gradient but a useful blending mode for the gradients is the "lighter color". Initially though you need to add the color to the background or layer so apply the gradient using the normal blending mode then set the blending mode to the lighter color option and continue to apply equally spaced across the image (I have used the radial gradient option)

The next image shows the string of re-applied gradients across the image.

The gradient does make a difference, so does the mode and the position of the apply but many gradients can be used to create beautiful color scapes in seconds.

Added: December 26th 2011

Photoshop Gradient Layers and brushes

You can use the gradients with brushes on a layer. Create a new layer; layer menu > layer effects and set gradient overlay with the required gradient. Once applied, apply brush strokes (using something other than white) to the gradient filled layer. This can be repeated with different layers filled with different gradients (again, blending modes can be used to create interesting brush and gradient combinations in Photoshop)

Impressionist and Photoshop Gradients

Use as art history source for impressionist gradients. Apply the design (perhaps repeat with the gradients in different directions and using different gradients). Once applied you will see a number of entries in the history palette. Now, select the 'art history brush tool' and then select a brush and a type of brush style such as 'tight short' 'dab' etc. Select one of the gradient entries in the history palette and then apply the art history brush. The art history brush also can be modified in a variety of ways via the brush palette to include varying scattering and spacing etc

Selections and Photoshop gradients

The gradients can be used to fill a selection. Select an area using the magic wand tool or the rectangular or elliptical tool or use the path palette (and a custom shape).

Once you have a selected area, apply the gradient either to the selected area (or invert the area or perhaps feather etc the selection, a number of options are available).

The gradient can be applied either once or multiple times to the selected area or use different gradients or different gradient blending modes to create unusual color effects

Creased Metal ring Photoshop gradient

A selection is created using the elliptical marquee tool to fill most of the document. The subtraction from selection button is clicked (along option bar) and then a new selection is applied cutting away from the original - creating a ring. A gradient from the gradient pack 1 is selected (one with transparency to create a sharp edge in the design) and the gradient is applied over and over in different directions with the blending mode set to difference - creating a fractured metallic ring design. Added: January 3rd 2012

example: creased metal ring design using Photoshop gradients.

Perspective / vanishing point filter and Photoshop gradients

The gradients can be used to stunning effect in the filter > vanishing point filter. Again this depends on the input gradient.

Effects and gradients in Photoshop and Elements

You can apply the gradient as a standalone but you can also use various Photoshop filters.

Not all the filters will have a dramatic effect with all gradients. Certainly some filters such as the twirl and other distortion effects will have very dramatic effect and create totally unique gradients.

Blending modes and gradients and effects can be applied to great effect to create unusual color effects as well as swirl and twirl etc effects. In the case below two layers are used and then a blending mode of multiply is used

example above shows a twirl filter applied to a colorful Photoshop gradient

Blur and others may have limited effect. The effects can also be applied to the small section of the gradient by using a selection (use the selection tool). The motion blur and gradient effects can often work well, to smooth the Photoshop gradient (an example of a blurred colorful gradient below - the gradient created by a combination of two complimentary color gradients). The gradients used in the examples are from the gradients pack 3 set of 1400 gradients.

Frames and Photoshop gradients tutorial

Use the gradients for frames and border effects. The quickest way to achieve this is probably via a selection and then inverse the selection and then fill that region with a gradient or multiple designs (or again, varying the blending mode to create unusual color effects)

1) open new document

2) rectangle marque tool

3) create rectangle selection

4) select > inverse

5) select the gradient tool

6) select the Photoshop gradient from the gradient dropdown

7) Apply in the inverted selection area

8) Repeat as required combining using different blending modes and perhaps using special effects in between applies

example of a frame gradient design

As the frame design is within a selection, you can copy the gradient (via the edit > copy commands) and paste the frame as a new layer to create more complex gradient frames perhaps combining with layer effects such as a bevel and drop shadow effect

New layer and gradient fill tutorial

Use in new fill layer gradient content.

1) Layer > new fill layer > gradient.

A dialog will appear giving you the option to enter a name for the layer as well as the blending mode and the opacity

2) click OK

A new dialog will appear and you can now set the gradient from all the existing gradients in the gradient palette in Photoshop or you can load and replace the gradients with a new GRD file. You can set the style such as linear and reflected as well as set the scale and angle (depends on the gradient) as well as reverse or dither the gradient

3) click OK

example of the gradient fill dialog with one of the gradients displayed in Photoshop

You can repeat this with multiple gradient layers as well as specifying a different blending mode and opacity (less than 100%) to see the lower layers. This can be used to create some very interesting visual effects.

You can also modify the gradient layer at any point by displaying the Photoshop layer palette and double clicking the layer thumbnail

Gradient maps tutorial in Photoshop

They can be used to create stunning color effects to any image or text via the map filter. There are very few options to the gradient map but you can always combine the gradient map with the edit > fade command to apply the map using a different blending mode or a lower opacity.

The gradient map filter is applied via the image menu.

The following dialog is displayed and you can then set the gradient required via the Photoshop gradient drop down

The map filter is also available as an adjustment layer and therefore can apply the gradient as a non-destructive effect.

Gradient mixing tutorial in Photoshop

This tutorial will work with any gradient but the tutorial uses the gradients collection 3 GX3_Additional_01.grd file (gradient set from graphicxtras.com)

1) Select the Photoshop® gradient tool and go to the gradient palette and right arrow and select the replace gradient command (you can also load the gradients using the open command in recent versions of Photoshop) Select the GX3_Additional_01.grd file

2) Select the gradient (gradient 3 in the above case) and click the top left and drag the mouse to the bottom right. The gradient tool is currently linear gradient type (normal blending mode and 100% opacity).

3) Go to the blending mode drop down and select the difference option. Go to the gradient tool and click the top right of the current document and drag to the bottom left. The resulting design is the difference between the two gradient direction

4) Image > adjustment > invert. I often find the inverted image seems to be 'better' than the original.

example of gradient design created in Photoshop by combining gradients found in the gradient packs

Gradients applied in CMYK in different Photoshop channels

example of the color mode menu in Photoshop

This tutorial will work with any gradient but the tutorial uses the gradients collection 3 GX3_Additional_01.grd file

1) Using gradient 3. Change the current document to CMYK via the image > document mode to CMYK command

2) Go to to the channels palette in Photoshop® and click the CYAN channel. Apply the gradient using normal blending mode. Apply the gradient from the top left to bottom right of the document

3) Go to MAGENTA channel and apply in normal blending mode. Apply from top right to bottom left using the gradient tool (press G)

4) Go to YELLOW channel and apply gradient from mid left to mid right across the center of the document. Hold the shift key down to apply the gradient in a straight line

Gradients can be applied to documents of huge size or small documents or anything in between.

Star gradient tutorial for Photoshop - create a star burst

1) Select the gradient tool

2) Go to the gradient palette and select the black and white gradient (reset all the gradients via the right side menu if it is not there)

3) click the reverse checkbox on the options bar

4) Set the gradient type to 'diamond' via option bar

5) Apply the gradient in the middle of the current document using 'normal' blending mode

6) Set the blending mode for the gradient (option bar again) to 'lighten'

7) Apply the gradient at a different angle to the first applied gradient but keep the same origin point

8) repeat with different angles but the same origin point

You might also like to consider reducing the opacity and then reply a large gradient to create a larger streak of light for the star

You can also create a halo for the gradient but it does mean a modification to the gradient

1) set the gradient type to radial (the second one in)

2) click the gradient and you will now see the gradient editor dialog

3) Set the two gradient transparency stops (the top part of the gradient bar) to 0% and add a middle gradient transparency stop and set to 100%.

4) Move the two end gradients into the center

5) Set the two color stops (botton row of the gradient) to white

example of the gradient stops use to create the gradient effect below in Photoshop

6) set the blending mode to 'normal'

7) Apply the gradient tool from the center outwards (center of the star) to 3/4 of the size of gradient star

This can then be repeated to any distance to create repeat halo effects. Just by changing the Photoshop gradient blending and a few stops and then combining the gradients - many wonderful gradient generated designs can be created. They are black and white here but you can also create more colorful designs as well.

Photoshop gradients as backdrop for text (as well as Elements)

The gradients are a powerful tool to highlight text in numerous ways. The text can be applied first and then the gradient or gradient and then the text is added over the top of the gradient. You can also apply the gradients and text as two separate layers and use blending modes to combine the designs.

The example above shows the gradient applied first and the line of the gradient is then used by the Photoshop text for alignment

The above example uses the gradient from the gradient pack 1 - the gradient includes transparency and creates a cut through the underlying text image of the 'World'

Above example - This time the gradient includes transparency at the centre of the Photoshop gradient - creating by using the linear gradient option a border for the World text

In the above example the text is a layer and the gradient has been applied to a new layer (via the new layer command in Photoshop). The gradient layer is then modified by usng the wave filter in Photoshop to create a mountain backdrop for the mars mission.

The Photoshop gradients can be used to create a near infinite range of effects as a backdrop for text (as well as being a fill for the text, a gradient stroke for text and much more)

Added: December 22nd 2011

Lens correction filter / Photoshop

The gradients can be used to stunning effect in the lens correction filter though it does depend on the input Photoshop gradient.

The color can be distorted in many unique ways by using the wonderful features of the lens correction filter in Photoshop (this can be found in the filter menu)