Photoshop CS6 Tutorial: How To Use The Gradient Tool In Adobe Photoshop CS6

The Gradient tool, it's a powerful tool in Adobe Photoshop that creates a gradual blend between multiple colors. You can choose from preset gradient fills or create your own.

Follow These 6 Steps In Order To Use Gradient Tool

1. To fill part of the image, select the desired area. Otherwise, the gradient fill is applied to the entire active layer.
2. Select the Gradient tool
3. In the options bar, choose a fill from the wide gradient sample:

• Click the triangle next to the sample to pick a preset gradient fill.
• Click inside the sample to view the Gradient Editor. Select a preset gradient fill,  or create a new gradient fill. 

4. Select an option to determine how the starting point (where the mouse is pressed) and ending point (where the mouse is released) affect
gradient appearance.
5. Do the following in the options bar:
Specify a blending mode and opacity for the paint. (See Blending modes.)
To reverse the order of colors in the gradient fill,  select Reverse.
To create a smoother blend with less banding, select Dither.
To use a transparency mask for the gradient fill,  select Transparency.
6. Position the pointer in the image where you want to set the starting point of the gradient, and drag to define the ending point. To the line angle to a multiple of 45°, hold down Shift as you drag.

Watch Lagos Graphic Tutor demonstrate how to use the gradient tool in this Photoshop tutorial

  Types Of Gradient 

• Linear Gradient :- Shades from the starting point to the ending point in a straight line.
• Radial Gradient :- Shades from the starting point to the ending point in a circular pattern.
• Angle Gradient :- Shades in a counterclockwise sweep around the starting point.
• Reflected Gradient :- Mirrors the same linear gradient on either side of the starting point.
• Diamond Gradient:- Shades from the middle to the outer corners of a diamond pattern.