AdobePS 7+/Paint Shop Pro9 - Using gradient image packs
Image packs contain single files with the gradient applied to them. Most of them will be at a 100x100 pixel size, so there are limits for what you can do with them. Copying a 100x100 pixel image onto a large image and then stretching it to fill the entire canvas does look a bit odd, but with a Gaussian Blur and/or a bit of luck, you can still get small images to work for large ones.
Most image packs come in Zip or Rar files. Both file types are storage containers and both need to be unzipped before you can use the files inside. Storing the gradients from an image pack in their own folder, possibly with the maker’s name and maybe even the name of the gradient set, keeps things organized and makes it easier for you to find stuff later on.
1. Create a new folder. Grab the zip/rar, put it in the new folder, and unzip all the gradient images there. You’ll end up with something looking like this:
If you don’t want to waste space, delete the zip file afterward. If you’re worried about computer crashes and losing all your files, burn the zip/rar onto a CD, or store it somewhere else that is safe.
2. Fire up the graphic program of your choice. This tutorial is geared toward PS7+ and PSP9, but we need functions that should work in pretty much all graphic programs. Rule of thumb: if your graphic program
supports copy and paste and layers, you can do this.
3. Open the image you want to apply the gradient to. As I said before, image files that are 100x100 pixels in size ( icon-size ) work best for this type of file, because you won’t end up having to stretch the gradient to make it fill your entire canvas.
4. Open the gradient image you want to use.
- select the gradient image by clicking CTRL+A and copy it clicking CTRL+C on your keyboard. This will copy the gradient image into your computer’s clipboard.
- select the image you want to apply the gradient to and click CTRL+V. This will paste the copied gradient image onto your icon as a new layer. As far as I know, this is a default function in PS7 –
everything you copy and paste will automatically end up as a new layer. If it doesn’t, reply to this post here, describe the steps you did, and we’ll try to find a solution.
By the way... CTRL+A/CTRL+C/CTRL+V doesn’t meant hitting CTRL and + and V. It means clicking CTRL and A/C/V.
You icon and layer palette now should look like this:
That’s basically it for PS7+. Your gradient image has been pasted as a new layer and you can now play with this as you would with any gradient by using the blending options in your layer palette.
in PSP9
A caveat: my version of PSP9 is in German. The hotkeys and functions should be the same, though.
- open the gradient image, open the icon you want to apply the gradient to.
- select the gradient image by clicking CTRL+A and copy it clicking CTRL+C on your keyboard. This will copy the gradient image into your computer’s clipboard.
- select the image you want to apply the gradient to and click CTRL+L. This will paste the copied gradient image onto your icon as a new layer.
You icon and layer palette now should look like this:
And that’s it for PSP9. As in PS7+, you can now play with the gradient layer by using the blending options.
Further reading:
Defining Patterns and Gradients from image packs [PS7+]
Outside Link