Brush Fade: Only for Stylus users?

[michaelm52071012]

Can you use the fade option for a brush if you're using a mouse? I use Photoshop at the office but getting a stylus isn't an option.

Right now, when I select the brush tool, select a size, and go to the Brush window, I can choose Fade as the control but it doesn't actually do anything.

Is a stylus required for this option?

[Chuck Uebele]

Fade works for me:

[Trevor.Dennis]

Fade works on a 'one unit per brush stamp' basis.  So the same sized brush with Size/Fade spacing set to 1%, will decay faster than with Spacing set to 20%, but the relationship is not wholly linear and predictable, as the lowest pair of stroke demonstrate.  The canvas was 1000 pixels wide here.  But it absolutely works the same with the mouse.

We can't create complex changes in weight like below with a mouse

But we can create simple mirrored tapers by stroking a path with Simulate Pressure checked

Or you could use multiple paths that butt up to appear like a single continuous line — or get a tablet.

[michaelm52071012]

I'm sorry - I don't think I'm communicating this very well.

I'd like for the brush to go from thick to thin - to taper. When I go into the brush Window and set it to Fade, nothing happens:

I don't understand why it's not showing me a tapered shape. When I do the same thing for my Eraser tool, it works:

So what I am doing wrong with when using the Brush tool?

[jane-e]

Hi michaelm52071012

One thing I see is that Trevor has settings of 800 and 500 for the Fade and yours is 25. What happens when you increase it?

[michaelm52071012]

Tried changing the value. Nothing.

[Chuck Uebele]

Have you tried resetting the tool's preference?

[davescm · Accepted solution]

Hi

Go to your options bar and turn off "Always use Pressure for Size"

You currently have it checked and it is over-riding your fade setting

Dave

[michaelm52071012]

That did it! Thank you!!!!

[davescm]

You're welcome

Dave

[Trevor.Dennis]

Hey good call Dave.  Bert Monroy says that when things go weird, always check the Options bar.  I can remember telling a poster who had a similar problem, and felt daft about it, that they should not worry, because it meant they were using the software to full effect.  I'll mark your post as correct (Dave would not get the points if he marked his own post as correct — not that he is counting )

[davescm]

Haha
Cheers Trevor. Actually I never mark my own posts as correct - not because of points but because I feel it is up to others to decide if my answer is OK
Dave

[michaelm52071012]

I haven't, but am not sure how to do that.

[Chuck Uebele]

Click on the brush icon in the upper left:

[michaelm52071012]

Tried that. Reset the tool. Reset the tool preferences.

Nothing. Still get the same solid, non-tapering line example in the preview window when I choose Fade.