PhotoDraw a shape
Choose a shape from the shape-tool group, set its fill and stroke, then drag on the canvas. Select the resulting layer to refine its properties. Use Custom Shape for a preset silhouette and Path Selection or Direct Selection when working with vector paths and points.
A shape fill colors its interior; a stroke outlines its boundary. A path can exist without visible paint. If a path seems to disappear, check whether you created a path rather than a filled shape, and whether the fill or stroke is transparent.
Create a gradient above the selected layer
- Select the layer that should sit immediately below the new gradient.
- Choose the Gradient Tool and drag from the desired start to end position.
- Inspect the new gradient fill layer and its mask in Layers.
- Use the gradient controls to change its style, colors, opacity stops and transition.
- Adjust layer opacity or blend mode to combine the gradient with the image beneath it.
For a photograph with text above it, select the photograph before creating the fill. Keep the gradient beneath the text if you want the type to stay unaffected.
Color stops and opacity stops
Color stops determine which colors appear along the gradient. Opacity stops determine transparency. Moving a stop changes where its value occurs; a midpoint changes how the transition is distributed between stops. Layer opacity affects the entire gradient after these controls.
Linear creates a directional transition; radial expands outward; angle rotates around a center; reflected mirrors the transition; diamond expands in a diamond shape. Reverse exchanges the direction. Dither can reduce visible banding, but cannot restore missing source detail.