Let's apply what we have learned. This sample requires the use of many of the tools that we have described. Tools are not used in isolation. In the real world, tools take a back seat to the process.

Real World Example

Real World Example Phase I-A: Backboard Preparations

Preliminary Channels Palette Channels Option Gradient Fill Tool Gradient Tools Options Gradient List Apply Gradient Fill Change Options

1. Preliminary The project started in Corel Draw 6. The structured drawing program was the ideal place to give birth to the rainbow paint palette shape.

Export the shape as a TIFF file, a selectable save bitmap file format in Corel Draw. Import the TIFF file into Photoshop and Create an outside mask of the shape using the Magic Wand tool, as follows.

Set the Options to Tolerance value 4 and check to activate the Anti-aliased option.

Place the tip of the Magic Wand tool within the black shape and click. This will select the area outside the shape. Save the selection as a mask by choosing: Selections > Save Selections > New

2. Channels Palette Click on the Channels Tab. The new mask will appear at the bottom as #4. Scrolling down may be necessary to see it. 3. Channels Options

Double click on Channel #4 to activate the Channels Options requester to rename it.

Rename #4 to Full Size Mask and click OK.

The Channels Palette label will reflect the change.

4. Gradient Fill Tool Click to activate it from the Photoshop Toolbox.

5. Gradient Tools Options The Palette Tab will change automatically to show the Gradient Tools Option. The defaults are Normal, Opacity 100%, checks on Mask and Dither.

I set the Type to Linear and Gradient to Blue Arrow. Blue Arrow is a custom gradient that I saved to the gradient list. 6. Gradient List Access the Gradient List by clicking on the down arrow at the end of the Gradient row. Photoshop provides many custom gradients. Set your gradient to Copper from the gradient drop down list.

7. Apply Gradient Fill

Click and drag from point A to point B with your gradient cursor point. Upon release, the selection will be filled with Blue Arrow or the Copper gradient.

This JPG sample is scaled to 60%, reducing the file size for faster down-loading and layout considerations.

8. Change Options Using a gradient from the list does not always provide the solution needed. Photoshop offers numerous ways to change image appearance. Some of them are as follows: Reapply the Gradient going from B to A. Use Gradient with different start and end points. Use a different gradient from the Gradient List. Change the gradient with Gradient Edit. Click on the Edit... button in the Gradient Tool Options Palette to display the Gradient Editor.

Click Next to work on the Under Painting.