# PhotoshopElements

# Define a gradient

You can define your own gradients in the Gradient Editor dialog box. A gradient can include two or more colors, or one or more colors that fade to transparency.

Gradient Editor dialog box.

A.
  Color stop

B.
  Midpoint

C.
  Opacity stop

To define a gradient, you add a color stop to add a color to the gradient, drag the color stop and the midpoint icon to define the range between two colors, and adjust the Opacity stops to specify the transparency that you want in the gradient.

1. Select the Gradient tool .
2. To display the Gradient Editor dialog box, click the Edit button next to the gradient sample.
3. In the Presets section of the Gradient Editor dialog box, select a gradient on which to base your new gradient.
4. To choose colors for your gradient, do one of the following:

   - Double-click the color stop , or click the Color swatch to display the Color Picker. Choose a color, and click OK.

   - Choose Foreground from the Color pop‑up menu to use the current foreground color.

   - Choose Background from the Color pop‑up menu to use the current background color.

   - Choose User Color from the Color pop‑up menu to always use the color you chose for the gradient, other than the current foreground or background.

5. To adjust the color stop location of a color, drag the stop left or right.
6. To add a color to the gradient, click below the gradient bar to define another color stop.
7. To adjust the location of the transition midpoint between colors, drag the diamond below the gradient bar to the left or right.
8. To delete the color stop you are editing, click Delete.
9. To set the color transition’s smoothness, enter a percentage in the Smoothness text box, or drag the pop‑up slider.
10. If desired, set transparency values for the gradient by dragging the Opacity stops.
11. To save the gradient in the gradient presets, enter a name for the new gradient, and then click New.
12. Click OK. The newly created gradient is selected and ready to use.

###

- Use the Adobe Color Picker

####

- This page on the Web