7 replies to this topic

[.:SquEWHeeT:.]

Is there a way you can make a "logarithmic gradient" in photoshop CS3 or any photoshop.

[austen]

I'm confused as to what you mean by "logarithmic" gradients... what would be the practicality of this?? maybe show an example or something?

-austen

[.:SquEWHeeT:.]

This a Linear Gardient:

Linear gradients have two handles and apply color in a straight, graduated transition in constant increments. The start point determines the location of one end of the gradient. The end point determines the location of the other end of the gradient and the gradient's angle.


This is a Logarithmic Gardient:

Logarithmic gradients have two handles. They apply color in a straight, graduated transition using increasingly wider bands. The start point determines the location of one end of the gradient. The end point determines the location of the other end of the gradient and the gradient's angle.

[austen]

Ok, I understand the difference now... but as far as I know these don't exist as far as photoshop is concerned. Couldn't you play around with the gradient position sliders and achieve the same effect in the gradient editor? (The ones underneath the gradient color bar)

-austen

[Scythar]

(you dont have a begin and end point, but beginpoint is where you start dragging, and endpoint is well erm... where you end dragging)

open the gradient settings in photoshop and move the sliders manually from where you want the new color to begin and where you want it to end.
You have far more control this way.
I would put some screenshots, but i am at school, hope i wont forget when i get home, or tomorrow after noon...

[Scythar]

So, when you click your gradient tool:
 gradientTool.jpg   2.58KB   49 downloads

First of all, off course in your top settings toolbar, you can choose a gradient by clicking the arrow next to the gradient. The little arrow (upper right corner in the popup window) will take you to other gradient presets (if any).
 SimpleGradient.jpg   54.79KB   90 downloads

when you've choosen your gradient, you can click/drag a selection to fill it with the gradient:
 Drag_Gradient.jpg   42.61KB   104 downloads

Result:
 ResultSimple.jpg   46.43KB   64 downloads

Off course, this part you allready knew i suppose.

Now, to change the existing gradient...
Click in the top toolbar on the gradient itself:
 EditGradient.jpg   4.79KB   59 downloads

You will now see a window called the gradient editor (doh!).
 GradientEditor.jpg   40.98KB   76 downloads

Here you'll see the same presets available AND at the bottom half, the editor
gradient name... no comment
gradient type: there are 2 types, mostly you'll need the "solid" option, for random colors you could use "noise" option, which basicly does the same thing as the noise filter, but as a gradient.

Now the fun part: the gradient preview bar (tip: if you want more control and thus want to make the bar longer, just make your window wider)
There are several things you can play with to completely mess up your gradient ():
the top part controls the opacity, the bottom part the colors.
Clicking between 2 colrstops or opacity stops creates another stop with a color of your liking (standard takes the forground color but you can change that at any moment) AND a midpoint. The transition between 2 colorstops is always smooth (when smoothness is set on 100% that is, but standard it is set on 100).
When you move the midpoint you can change the fastness of 1 color going into another color (this is what you mean with "logaritmic i suppose, but here theres far more control)

 newcolorstop.jpg   15.9KB   77 downloads
 newopacitystop.jpg   17.63KB   46 downloads

 colorstopadjust.jpg   22.65KB   73 downloads

TIP: if you want a immediate, sudden colorchange: use 2 colorstops of same color for color 1 and 2 stops for color 2, and put the first stop of color 2 right on top (it snaps) of colorstop 2 from color 1.

Typical "metal" gradient would look something like this:
 TypicalBrassGradient.jpg   19.85KB   73 downloads

Simple and Brass gradient results in next post:

If there are any questions, dont hesitate...

[Scythar]

Forgot: to change the color of a colorstop, doubleclick on the colorstop:
 adjustcolorinstop.jpg   17.14KB   87 downloads

You can see when a colorstop is active, because the triangle is black, not white AND you see the midpoints.

Result simple gradient (added bevel and shadow for little extra punch):
 ResultSimple.jpg   46.43KB   37 downloads

Result Metal gradient:
 EndResult.jpg   40.44KB   61 downloads

Hope this has helped anyone a little, but off course after this introduction, you can ask more specific questions on the topic...

[Lastcrime]

yah when you edit the gradient you have to change the width between the colours to get larger and smaller bars.