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Using the Gradient Tool

While the tools in Edit mode allow you to make solid, global adjustments, sometimes you want these effects to gradually progress over your photo. For example, instead of applying a blur across an entire photo, you may want a blur that advances across the image, or advances over a section of the image. Use the Gradient tool to gradually progress an effect across an image.

Gradient Tool

The Gradient tool button displays at the center of the top Editing panel toolbar for all applicable Edit mode tools.

To Use the Gradient Tool:

  1. In Edit mode, select the tool you want to use.
  2. Click the Gradient tool button to enter Gradient mode. Or, toggle the Gradient panel open and closed with the G key.
  3. Specify the gradient settings in the panel or on the fly, as described in the table below.
  4. Position the guides on your photo. Inside the guide boxes, the gradient is transitioning. On either side of the boxes, the effect being applied by the Gradient tool is at full strength or not applied at all. To make this clearer, check the Show gradient mask checkbox. Move the boxes to define where the effect will begin or end. Hold down the SHIFT key while positioning the effect to lock to the nearest 45° angle, for straightness.
  5. Adjust the sliders to get the effect you want.
  6. Press Apply or Done.

Gradient Tool Options

Invert gradient

Toggle this option to invert the gradient. By pressing the Invert button after applying a gradient beginning at the top of the image, the gradient would now begin at the bottom, and vice versa.

Show gradient mask

When this option is checked, your gradient mask will be displayed in the color shown. Alternatively, hold down the S key to see the mask on the image. Click the drop-down arrow to select another display color.

Alternating between the Gradient tool and cursor-applied tools

For filters that involve drawing or clicking on the image, such as Lighting and White Balance, hold down the ALT key to switch from Gradient mode to using the tool.

To exit Gradient mode, toggle the Gradient tool button.

To maintain your gradient mask while switching to Edit Brush mode, hold down SHIFT and click the Edit Brush button. This allows you to add to the gradient mask or erase parts of it that you don't want.

The Gradient tool is enabled in many of the editing tools and special effects filters. When it does not make sense to have this option, it is omitted. The Gradient tool is not available in the following tools: Detail Brush, Dodge and Burn, Resize, Lens Distortion Correction, Perspective Correction, Crop, Rotate, Drawing Tools, Vignette, Borders, Watermark, Text, Repair Tool, Red Eye Reduction, and Selections.

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