Creating a knockout gradient layer
Knockout layer options specify how one layer reveals other layers. In this section, you''ll create a knockout gradient layer so that the lower third of the image reveals the Background layer.You''ll begin by creating a new layer in the Images layer set.
1. Select the Images layer set in the Layers palette and click the Create a New Layer button (
) at the bottom of the palette.This creates a new layer (Layer 1) in the Images layer set, above the Metal Grille, Curves 1, and Rust layers.2. Double-click the new Layer 1, and type Knockout Gradient to rename it. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS), and keep the Knockout Gradient layer selected.3. Select the Gradient tool (
) in the toolbox.4. If necessary, click the Default Foreground and Background Colors icon (
) in the toolbox to set the foreground color to black and the background color to white.
5. If necessary, click the Linear Gradient button (
) on the tool options bar to create a linear gradient.6. Click the arrow (
) to the right of the gradient display on the tool options bar to open the gradient picker.7. Click the arrow button (
) to open the gradient-picker palette menu, and choose Small List. Then select Foreground to Transparent in the picker, and close it by clicking outside it or double-clicking the Foreground to Transparent option.
8. Shift-drag from the bottom of the image to slightly above the midpoint to create a gradient that goes from black at the bottom to transparent at the top.
9. Click the Add a Layer Style button (
) at the bottom of the Layers palette, and choose Blending Options from the pop-up menu.10. In the Layer Style dialog box, do the following:Under Advanced Blending, drag the Fill Opacity slider all the way to the left, or type to enter 0 as the value. (Be careful to adjust the Fill Opacity, not the Opacity option under General Blending.)Choose Knockout > Deep.Click OK to close the dialog box.[View full size image]
Now the horizontal stripes of gradient colors on the Background layer start to show through the layers in the Images layer set.11. Choose File > Save.