Gradient tool not working with layer masks..

[just_luc]

Hello, I'll start off by saying i'm not a photoshop expert by any means.. but I usually manage to get my projects done with a little fusing.

At the moment i'm trying to fade out the last few inches of a photograph so it blends more seamlessly into backgrounds it's placed onto.

If I use the gradient tool, set to "Foreground to Transparent" I get the proper effect, but instead of fading to transparent it fades to white.. which dosen't work when I move the layer over a coloured background.

I've read and watched many tutorials on this, and they all say to create a layer mask, and then use the gradient tool.. but for some reason anytime I have the layer mask selected the gradient tool won't work at all..

Can anyone provide any advice? I've been toying with this for hours..

[Jeff Arola]

Did you check the Transparency box?

[just_luc]

yes.

[Jeff Arola]

Make sure the layer mask is active before drawing the gradient. (click on the layer mask in the layers panel)

If that's not it maybe you can post a screenshot?

Added: i see you already have the layer mask active.

Message was edited by: R_Kelly

[Jeff Arola]

Try setting the foreground color to black.

[PECourtejoie · Accepted solution]

And making sure that the blending mode for the gradient tool is set to Normal.

[just_luc]

Ding Ding Ding We have a winner!!

Mode was set to screen instead of normal.

Thanks to all who played!

[PECourtejoie]

Je t'en prie, Luc!

Feel free to stick around, watch, share and learn!

[Promiseodudumadu]

This worked, thanks 🙏

[Garrett54321]

Thanks for posting this discussion.  My problem was also resolved by setting the gradient tool to Normal.

[Guest]

IT STILL DOESN'T WORK!!  HOW DO I GET BACK TO THE WORKING PHOTOSHOP CS5?

Photoshop 12.1 x64 on OS X 10.7

The 'Blending' isn't the issue!

Using a black-to-white gradation in a white layer mask (everything exposed) is not working.

Using a black-to-transparent gradation in a white layer mask (everything exposed) is not working.

But, a using a white-to-black gradation in a black layer mask  (everything hidden) is working.

or, using a white-to-black gradation in a black layer mask (everything hidden) is working.

This used-to work; shall we keep an eye out for a fix or is Adobe going to back-out this their bug from the update that broke CS5?

[Guest]

Wow, went to Adobe's "Feedback/Bug Fix Form" at http://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family. Oh... the bug form doesn't submit - how distrubing (glad I've saved-off the text so I can share it here).

So, here's the bug I've been trying to get Adobe to have a look at - once again...

GRADIENT TOOL NOT WORKING WITH LAYER MASKS.

Given: Photoshop 12.1.1 x64 on OS X 10.7

Issue: BLACK GRADATION WITHIN A WHITE/TRANSPARENT LAYER MASK DOESN'T PAINT A BLACK GRADATION INSIDE THE WHITE/TRANSPARENT LAYER MASK

Steps to Reproduce:

1) Build an photoshop file 50x50 pixels file.

2) Add a new layer (layer 1) above the transparent layer (layer 0).

3) Put a color in layer 1.

4) Add a transparent/white layer mask to layer 1.

5) Select the "GRADIENT TOOL". Set the tool for a gradient from BLACK TO TRANSPARENT.

6) Select the transparent/white layer mask in layer 1.

7) Make a black to transparent gradient in the transparent/white layer mask in layer 1.

NOTE THAT THE WHITE TRANSPARENT MASK LAYER DOESN'T LET YOU PAINT BLACK.

Conclusion:

1) Using a black-to-white gradation in a white layer mask (everything exposed) is not working.

2) Using a black-to-transparent gradation in a white layer mask (everything exposed) is not working.

3) Using a white-to-black gradation in a black layer mask  (everything hidden) is working.

4) Using a white-to-black gradation in a black layer mask (everything hidden) is working.

Possible Fix:

Reverse the update that caused this failure.

Personal Comment:

This used-to work; shall we keep an eye out for a fix or is Adobe going to back-out this their bug from the update that broke Photoshop? When will this be fixed?

I use the gradient tool constantly inside layer masks - this bug has cost me much time, effort and emotion. Also, I've been trying for a couple days to get this bug information to correct "Adobe" people; I'm still unsure if this is really going anywhere. Adobe website isn't very friendly (in my opinion).

[Chris Cox]

Try Photoshop CC, you're already 2 versions out of date.

[Guest]

Re-install Photoshop fixed my problem. I should have tryed this earlier... After reinstalling and updating to current release, the problem vanished. So, it appears that my first assumption that this was a bug is incorrect - something happened on my mac that corrupted Photoshop in some way. Problem is solved. Thanks all for your suggestions and help here.

[robinamy02]

Hi there, the Internet,

I have this problem:

I want to use the overlay option, however, this is not available?

Why and how do I make it available again?

Thanks

[robinamy02]

PS: I'm working on a mac with CS photoshop 15.5

[Jeff Arola]

Most likely because your document is 32 bits/channel.

Go to Image>Mode and select either 16 or 8 bits/channel.

[johna72035445]

Thanks fixed my problem change to 32 😊

[GioCache]

An hour and a half of head-desk trying to solve why gradients were not working..  You sir.. are a Godsend.  Reset image mode to 32 was the trick. 

[Guest]

Thank you Good Sir! Its been driving me crazy why its not working  untill i set it to normal you're the real MVP.

[João Sérgio5E9A]

Thank  You!!!!

[kevin23274415zvqb]

My guy. 11 years later and you're still making a difference. I killed hours and kept deleting my work because I couldn't figure this easy fix. thank you.

[valoriw4744294]

Thank you so much! Somehow my Gradient tool got set to "Screen" instead of normal and I was no longer able to use the Gradient Tool in Quick Mask Mode. I use this ALL THE TIME to fix shadows on flat surfaces then the lighting is uneven.  I'm so relieved to not have to go through a bunch of layer masks anymore to do the same thing with more steps.

[lroty]

This saved me, too! Thank you.

[Gabriel27510900t3wf]

Thank you so much.