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Post by haliburton on Jan 26, 2017 21:10:14 GMT
I'm using PSE11. I'm trying to create a poster with the key words Music Festival. So far I have them in black with a bevel and in a nice wave. Now I would like to replace the black with a gradient or rainbow effect. In the gradient tool, I got a a gradient that I quite liked but when I applied it over the "Music Festival" text, the entire poster was covered with the gradient. How to I force it to apply to the text only?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Major Major on Jan 26, 2017 21:37:55 GMT
Haliburton -
First, to be safe, click on your text layer to select it and hit control-J to duplicate it (you'll see why in the next step).
Now, on the copy you've just made, control-click on the "T" of the text layer. This will make a selection of the text. Then set up your gradient as you want it. Now, when you go to apply the gradient, the program will tell you you need to simplify the layer first. Say okay, and you can apply your gradient.
The reason you made the copy of the text layer is if you decide you want to change it, you still have the original text layer to work with. Once you're happy with the gradient fill, you can delete the original text layer. Or, if you're compulsive like me, you can just turn off the visibility by clicking on the eyeball.
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Post by Sepiana on Jan 26, 2017 21:44:33 GMT
Hi haliburton,
Craig already gave you one way do what you want. Here is another way.
1. Create a new layer for the gradient directly above the Text layer. 2. Ctrl-G (Cmmd-G on a Mac) to clip this layer to the Text layer underneath it. 3. Drag your gradient. As this layer is clipped to the Text layer underneath, the gradient will be applied only to the text.
NOTE:
- If you don't like the gradient results, press Ctrl-Z (Cmmd-Z on a Mac), and drag again. - You can also use the Move tool to drag the gradient layer around until the range of colors you want will show.
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Post by haliburton on Jan 26, 2017 23:20:32 GMT
Ahh, you people are a wonder! Thanks so much. This is the kind of thing I get into about every 3 years so forget everything I learned before. That's going to work beautifully.
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Post by Sepiana on Jan 27, 2017 15:35:32 GMT
Ahh, you people are a wonder! Thanks so much. This is the kind of thing I get into about every 3 years so forget everything I learned before. That's going to work beautifully. haliburton, you are most welcome! Success with your project! |
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Post by haliburton on Jan 27, 2017 21:51:59 GMT
Hi Sepiana, I'm still struggling with this gradient business. In your point 1: what kind of layer should I create, and in point 3: where am I dragging the gradient from. Here's where I'm at at this point.  |
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Post by Sepiana on Jan 27, 2017 23:02:39 GMT
Hi Sepiana, I'm still struggling with this gradient business. Hi haliburton,
No problem. Let’s take one step at a time!
In your point 1: what kind of layer should I create, After you have typed your text (Music Festival), you need to create a new layer (blank) just above this Text layer. This is the layer you are going to drag the gradient on.
However, for the gradient to be applied to the text only, you need to clip this new layer to the Music Festival layer underneath it (Ctrl-G, Cmmd-G on a Mac). If you don’t do this step, the gradient will be applied to the whole Poster image.
NOTE: The tiny downward-bent arrow with the white square displayed next to the layer thumbnail indicates that the blank layer has been clipped to the Text layer underneath.
and in point 3: where am I dragging the gradient from. You drag the gradient on the new layer, the one which is clipped to the Music Festival Text layer underneath. Just drag the gradient across your image in the direction you want it to go. Because this layer is clipped to the Text layer underneath, the gradient will be applied to the text only.
 
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Post by haliburton on Jan 28, 2017 13:36:15 GMT
I appreciate this, and will give it a go. But I'm still unclear what you mean by "drag the gradient". Where is the gradient's location? Where do I drag it from?
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Post by cats4jan on Jan 28, 2017 14:34:32 GMT
The gradient is one of the tools  The basic gradient uses the background and foreground colors - 
there are also options to choose how the gradient works - the tool options appear when you choose the gradient tool
(Remember - all tools have options and this options area changes with each tool)
The multi-color that Sepiana is using in her example is under the little triangle next to the gradient example in the tool options area - click on that little triangle and you will see color options Click on one of these options and that's the color the gradient will be 
Once you have a new layer - once you choose the gradient tool - make sure you are on your new layer (it will be blue in the layers panel) - then click and hold down the mouse button and drag across your layer. The option you choose (of those five choices shown in the options box - where you see the word "angle") -
the point where you start dragging -
the direction you drag -
when you stop dragging --
These all have affect on how the gradient will appear.Additionally -- *If you have your new layer clipped to your text already - as Sepiana has suggested you do - you will see the colors appear on the text. *If you are on a new layer without it clipped to anything - you will see the colors on the entire layer. |
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Post by haliburton on Jan 28, 2017 20:17:11 GMT
Ahhh, thanks cats4jan. I appreciate your taking the time to do that for me.
PS, I love the things you do with cats!
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Post by cats4jan on Jan 28, 2017 20:33:12 GMT
You are welcome. Glad to help. Good luck with your project. Have patience. All of a sudden, it will click.
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Post by Sepiana on Jan 28, 2017 20:36:38 GMT
I appreciate this, and will give it a go. But I'm still unclear what you mean by "drag the gradient". Where is the gradient's location? Where do I drag it from? haliburton, Sorry I am a bit late coming back to this thread. Glad Janice gave you the answers. You are in good hands. There is something else you may be interested. I located a preview of Barbara Brundage's The Missing Manual. It includes the chapter about gradients and how to apply it to a text. She uses the same technique I do -- with a clipping mask. Some of the pages are not included in the preview but the relevant ones are. The information will also apply to the version of Elements you have. NOTE: The Applying Gradients section starts on page 465. The Gradient Text section starts on page 491. Photoshop Elements 13: The Missing Manual |
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Post by haliburton on Feb 2, 2017 13:39:29 GMT
Thanks for your answers! Here's what I ended up with, thanks to Sepiana:  img photo sharing |
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Post by cats4jan on Feb 2, 2017 14:35:58 GMT
Haliburton - that looks really great.
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Post by Sepiana on Feb 2, 2017 16:42:34 GMT
Thanks for your answers! Here's what I ended up with, thanks to Sepiana: img photo sharing
haliburton, you are most welcome! I knew you would be able to get the effect you wanted. Great job!
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