Please help in creating a transparnet gradient is PSE2

[Radtech1]

I need to create a gradient in PSE2 that will be applied to a Layer. On that layer I have one item (a dolphin jumping from a pool) that is selected from the main image. The rest of that layer is transparent. I have adjusted the color cast of the dolphin, however, the lower half contains watery splashes, which look VERY fakey next to the unadjusted splashes on the main image.

I want a gradient that will leave the opacity of the top of the dolphin at 100%, gradually lessening to 0% opacity down in the splash area.

Put another way, I want to see ALL of the selection at the top, blending to NONE of the selection at the bottom, allowing all of the underneath image to fully show through.

Any way to do that with PSE2. If not, I have got PS7 but am not very proficient at it.

Thanks,

Rad

[cgratti]

I need to create a gradient in PSE2 that will be applied to a Layer. On that layer I have one item (a dolphin jumping from a pool) that is selected from the main image. The rest of that layer is transparent. I have adjusted the color cast of the dolphin, however, the lower half contains watery splashes, which look VERY fakey next to the unadjusted splashes on the main image.

I want a gradient that will leave the opacity of the top of the dolphin at 100%, gradually lessening to 0% opacity down in the splash area.

Put another way, I want to see ALL of the selection at the top, blending to NONE of the selection at the bottom, allowing all of the underneath image to fully show through.

Any way to do that with PSE2. If not, I have got PS7 but am not very proficient at it.

Thanks,

Rad

Not familiar with PSE, but I know you can do it in PS7 using the gradient tool and setting the transparency from foreground to zero... [upper left hand corner underneath the IMAGE and LAYER menus.]

[Radtech1]

Not familiar with PSE, but I know you can do it in PS7 using the gradient tool and setting the transparency from foreground to zero... [upper left hand corner underneath the IMAGE and LAYER menus.]

I tried that, but the problem is that "foreground" is allways a color. If you reread what I asked, I need the layer to go from 100% opaque at the top to 0% opaque (100% transparent) at the bottom.

By doing what you indicated, the layer is subjected to a gradiant of some color (whatever color "foreground" is).

Here is what I have:


http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/d1.jpg

This is what I need: (Notice Opaque to Transpaernt going top to bottom.)


http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/d4.jpg
This is what your technique gave: (Using blue as forground so as to see it better)


http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/d2.jpg

Notice how silly it looks with other layers activated:


http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/d3.jpg

[SoCal69]

Not sure about PSE, but I know in PS7, select the gradient tool, then select one of the preset gradients (foreground to transparent).

[Radtech1]

Not sure about PSE, but I know in PS7, select the gradient tool, then select one of the preset gradients (foreground to transparent).

OK, if I select "Foreground to Tansparent", how do I get the "Foreground" to be the actual image, and not a solid color. Please go back again and look at my examples, especitally the second image. Notice how the dolphins get more and more transparnet nearer the bottom. I did this rather tediously with the Eraser Tool. Can I apply a gradiant to a layer that will do the same thing?

You say to select "Foreground to Tansparent", but every time I do that, [Gradiant"Foreground to Transprent", point the mouse on the layer with the dolphins\drag the mouse\release] I only get the "Foreground Color" as in the third and fourth examples.

What am I doing wrong?

What do I need to to differently.

[SoCal69]

Yes, you can apply the gradient to a layer. I haven't really done this a lot, so I am sure others can probably give you a better way to do this. What I have done is apply a the gradient to the image (or a duplicate layer so as to preserve your original) in quick mask mode. Then go back to selection mode. What you have done is creaded a gradual selection. Using your eraser on this selection (keeping only this new layer visible), you should get something along the lines of what you are looking for. I hope that helps.

[evilenglishman]

I'm not sure about elements but you could try this:

make a selection.
select the quick mask tool (there are 2 small boxes with circles in, under your foreground/background colours in the tools palette - click on the right hand one.)
You will know if this has worked as the dotted line of your selection will disappear and the area of the selection will be black.

Now do a gaussian or motion blur.

Exit the quick mask by selection the small box with circle inside on the left.
Now your selection should be back on.
Either use the delete key to remove parts of the image or fill it with what will be your background colour.

As I said im not sure if this will work with elements but its worth a go.