Lesson 6

Shapes and Gradients Tutorial

In this tutorial we will learn how to use the Shape and Gradient Tools.

Photoshop comes with various tools to create graphics. Have a look at the Shape Tool which is just below the Text Tool. Notice that the default is the Rectangle Tool. If you look under this you will notice a Rounded Rectangle Tool ( used for making lozenges, etc), Ellipse , Polygon, Line and Custom Shape Tool. All these shapes are created using vectors. Vector graphics are created using mathematical formulae

Fig1

Unlike bitmap graphics, vector graphics can be made any size without the shape being becoming messy (anti-aliased).See this website for more info. http://www.widearea.co.uk/designer/anti.html

Fig2

I clicked on the Custom Shape Tool. A box opens and clicked on the star shape. Clicking on your blank image and dragging creates a star in whatever size you wish.

Fig3

Notice in the Layers Window a new layer has been created with two boxes. If you left-click on the left box in this layer the color picker box opens and you can change the colour of your shape.

Fig4

At this point your shape is still a vector graphic. We are going to fill this shape with a gradient. To do this we first have to rasterize the shape, that is we will change the vector graphic into a bitmap graphic. Make sure that you are on the layer with the shape. Go to Layer on the Menubar, then Rasterize, then Shape.

Fig5

Notice that the layer changes in the Layer Window.

Fig6

Use the Magic Wand Tool to select the shape. If we did not select the shape the gradient that we will use would cover the whole area of the image.

Fig7

Now pick the Gradient Tool. It is under the Paint bucket Tool. Notice below the Menubar the extra information about the Gradient Tool.

Fig8

Left-click and drag with your mouse to fill the shape with your chosen gradient.

Fig9

Note that we used a Linear Gradient. You can choose different gradients. For example in this case I have clicked on the Radial Gradient.

Fig10

You can also choose from a range of preset gradient colours by clicking on the gradient colour box.

Fig11

This opens up the Gradient Editor box.

Fig12

Choose a different gradient and fill your shape.

Fig13

To create your own gradient choose a preset gradient from the Gradient Editor box then edit it. You edit it by clicking on the small boxes around the large slider (in this example it is a pink to white gradient). I used the default orange to white gradient, clicked on the small orange box, clicked in the Colour box below it and chose a pink colour , which then replaced the orange colour.

Fig14

You can also drag the small colour boxes. Click below the slider to add new colour boxes. In this example I have positioned the sliders and used a radial gradient to create an eyeball

This lesson can be downloaded in Word format.

Back to tutorials page.