Gradient Types

Gradient colours are handled by the Colours palette. If it isn't already displayed, select View > Toolbars and check the Colour Palette box. Now let's take a look at what gradient types are available:

1. Try clicking on the colour indicator's black arrow, near the word Styles in the Colour palette.
   
   
This is the foreground colour indicator. A series of icons appear when you click on it.



Figure 1: The colour mode icons.


2. Click on the second icon from the left.
   
   
Paint Shop Pro displays a default gradient. This consists of at least two colours: the one in the foreground colour indicator (source colour) and the one in the background colour indicator (target colour).


3. Double-click inside the colour indicator.
   
   
The Gradient dialog box appears.



Figure 2: Paint Shop Pro 7's gradient selector.

Paint Shop Pro proposes a number of styles for creating your gradient. You can see them on the right-hand side of the dialog box. They are used to define the gradient form to be applied:

• Linear. The colours follow one another in strips. The angle can be adjusted.
  
  
• Rectangular. The colours follow one another starting from the centre, in strips that run parallel to the edges of the image. A horizontal and vertical shift away from the centre may be applied, up to the edge of the image.
  
  
• Sunburst. The colours follow one another in concentric circles from the centre outwards. A shift away from the centre may be applied.
  
  
• Radial. The colours are applied from one side of a ray to the other. This ray can be angled. A shift away from the centre may be applied.
  
  


Figure 3: The four types of "Sunset" gradient in Paint Shop Pro 7.0