Problem creating graduated mask

Kevin Arrowsmith

• December 21, 2014 14:56

I'm trying to apply a graduated mask which starts approximately half way down my image and extends to the bottom. On completion, the mask displayed starts from the very top of the image and extends to approx half way down. I've used this feature before without any problems so what's changed? I can't seem to see anything I'm doing different.

0

• 

  Ian Wilson

  Moderator

  • December 21, 2014 16:55

  

  When you draw a gradient, everything from before the start of where you draw is fully masked. Everything after you stop drawing is not masked at all, and it tails off from 100 per cent to zero between those two. It has always worked like that, since gradient masks first became available in C1.
  
  Ian

  0
• 

  Kevin Arrowsmith

  • December 21, 2014 18:58

  Interesting, so if I understand this correctly, it's not possible to apply a gradient on the lower half of an image. All gradients have to start from the top of the image? That would seem a little limiting, I'm thinking of an example whereby I might want to add a graduated adjustment to an area of water in the lower half of the frame, but not the land/sky in the upper half.

  0
• 

  OddS.

  • December 21, 2014 19:10

  [quote="Cairn House" wrote:
  ...All gradients have to start from the top of the image?

  
  
  If you draw downwards, yes. Try upwards.

  0
• 

  Thies

  • December 21, 2014 19:14

  Have you tried to apply the gradient mask from the bottom to the top? Click with the gradient Tool somewhere close to the bottom border and drag up to the middle.
  I think you are limited in a way that the part of the gradient, where opacity is 100% always starts at the border, but never in the middle of the Picture. Is that what you want?

  0
• 

  Kevin Arrowsmith

  • December 21, 2014 23:16

  Hi, thanks to all for your suggestions. I reckon by being a bit creative I can probably get away with starting from the bottom edge in most situations, perhaps combining with other options. Just trialling the software at the moment, I aim to no longer use photoshop (which I used for 'light touch' adjustment only) so it's good to be aware of CO8's capabilities and limitations upfront.
  
  I also realised I have posted this under software for windows, it's actually the Mac version I'm using - apologies

  0
• 

  SFA

  • December 22, 2014 02:19

  [quote="Cairn House" wrote:
  Interesting, so if I understand this correctly, it's not possible to apply a gradient on the lower half of an image. All gradients have to start from the top of the image? That would seem a little limiting, I'm thinking of an example whereby I might want to add a graduated adjustment to an area of water in the lower half of the frame, but not the land/sky in the upper half.

  
  
  What is the expected difference between your start point for the gradient (heading downwards) and everything above it?
  
  For example, if you start a gradient of, say, -1EV in the middle of an image, do you wish to leave everything above it at 0EV adjustment? A rather distinct line in other words?
  
  You can of course do that if you want. Just erase the automatically applied adjustment mask from above the point you want it to start. Or maybe just paint your own own mask rather than use the graduated standard offering - do you really need the "smoothly graduated" part of it at all?
  
  I have always thought that the Gradient Mask has been intended for a particular purpose (as are physical gradient filters) and once one starts to move away from the basic design intent one should probably be thinking or using different approaches or some extended creativity.
  
  
  Just my opinion. YMMV.
  
  
  Grant

  0
• 

  BeO

  • December 23, 2014 11:52

  

  I thought maybe there is a circle to pan the mask, like with adjustment masks, but there isn't.

  0

Post is closed for comments.