Quick links to procedures on this page:

•
 
To apply a gradient as a fill
•
 
To paint a gradient

Applying Gradients

Corel Painter allows you to apply a gradient to an image by filling an area, such as the canvas, a selection, layer, or channel. For more information, see Selections and Transformations, Layers, and Alpha Channels.

When applying a gradient as a fill, you can apply one of four gradient types: linear, radial, circular, and spiral.

Left to right: Linear, radial, circular, and spiral gradients.

You can also apply a gradient in a fluid way by painting it onto an image with a brush and dab type that support gradient painting. For more information, see General Controls: Dab Types.

To apply a gradient as a fill Back to Top
1
 
Choose Window Media Control Panels Gradients.
2
 
Click the Gradient selector, and click a gradient from the Painter Gradients library panel.
3
 
Click one of the following gradient types:
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Linear Gradient
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Radial Gradient
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Circular Gradient
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Spiral Gradient
4
 
Perform a step from the following table.

To apply a gradient to
Do the following
The canvas
Click the Canvas in the Layers panel.
A selection
Click a selection tool from the toolbox, and drag in the document window to select an area.
A layer
Click a layer in the Layers panel.
A channel
Click a channel in the Channels panel.

5
 
Click the Paint Bucket tool from the toolbox.
6
 
In the document window, click the selected area, layer, or channel.

You can also
 
Specify the range of colors to be filled
On the property bar, type a value in the Tolerance box, or adjust the slider.
Specify the gradient fill opacity for pixels outside of the tolerance range
On the property bar, type a value in the Feather box, or adjust the slider.
Soften the edges of the gradient fill
On the property bar, click the Anti-Alias button .
Anti-aliasing is desirable when the Feather setting is set to zero or extremely low.

You can also apply a Gradient by choosing the Paint Bucket tool from the toolbox, choosing Gradient from the Fill list box on the property bar, then clicking the selected area, layer, or channel.
You can also modify the gradient fill opacity by choosing Edit Fill, and adjusting the Opacity slider in the Fill dialog box. Decreasing the gradient opacity increases the transparency of the gradient fill.
To paint a gradient Back to Top
1
 
Choose Window Media Control Panels Gradients.
2
 
In the Gradients Control panel, click the Gradient Selector.
3
 
Click a gradient in the Gradient Libraries panel.
4
 
Choose Window Brush Control Panels General.
5
 
Click the Brush Selector on the Brush Selector bar.
6
 
In the Brush Library panel, click a brush category, and a brush variant.
If the Source pop-up menu in the General controls panel is not available (appears gray), the selected brush category or variant does not support gradients. For example, the Pattern Pens brush category supports gradients.
7
 
From the General controls panel, choose a dab type from the Dab Type pop-up menu.
If the Source pop-up menu in the General controls panel is not available (appears gray), the selected dab type does not support gradients. For example, the Line Airbrush, Projected, and Rendered dab types support gradients.
8
 
From the Source pop-up menu in the General controls panel, choose one of the following options:
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Gradient — applies the current gradient across the width of the stroke
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Gradient Repeat — repeats the current gradient along the length of the stroke
9
 
Paint in the document window.

Painting with a gradient by using Gradient (left) and Gradient Repeat (right).

When painting with a gradient, only the Linear gradient type is supported.
Direction matters when you paint with a gradient. Corel Painter flips the gradient when you change direction. To achieve a uniform effect, apply strokes in the same direction.
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