Gradual gaussian blur effect

[PulkownikSwiatlo]

I am in the process of learning the PE 4 and I can't simply figure out how to create a gradual Gaussian blur effect. If the blur effect was included in one of the adjustment layers then it would be simple: create a blur layer, then apply the gradient tool to it to create a gradual mask.
However, there is no Gaussian blur adjustment layer, so how to do it? I have been reading various sources and I just can't figure it out. Any ideas please?
Thanks
Cezar

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Probably the easiest way is to download Grant's tools ...

Then duplicate your layer
Blur the layer
Use the Mask from the tools on the blurred layer
... and then apply a gradient to the mask .. :)

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/index.html

Wendy

[Daviskw]

Hi There

Here is another way...

Make a duplicate layer

Apply the Gaussian blur as desired... it will blur the whole layer.

Below your blurred layer insert a blank layer... see example below

Now click back on your blurred layer and then press Layer>Group with Previous... the blur will be gone for now.

Click on your blank layer to make it active.

Set your foreground to black

Select the gradient tool and be sure you have foreground to transparent selected

Pull your gradient as desired and the blur will be revealed.

Butch

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mdDPRHUIoH9sF7IkdIFgY6wNVVfrt0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mdDPRHUIoH9sF7IkdIFgY6wNVVfrt0)

[PulkownikSwiatlo]

Hi There

Here is another way...
[..]
Butch


That's what I was missing!
Thanks :)

[PulkownikSwiatlo]

Hi There

Select the gradient tool and be sure you have foreground to transparent selected


OK, I just started to try to make it work, and it turned out I don't have any option called 'foreground to transparent', so my gradient layer goes from white to black, rather than from transparent to black, and this method doesn't work.
Are you refering to PE 4?

Oh, I've got it! Yes, probably you were refering to PE 5. In PE 4 I have to go to Edit button by the gradient tool toolbar combo, click on Opacity Stop and set the transparency to 0%.
Now it works! Thanks :)

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Its the same in all the versions ...

Double click on the gradient thumbnail at the top of the page then as long as your have the default set loaded the first one top left hand side is Foreground to Background and the one next to it is Forground to Transparent.

Just hover your cursor above the boxes and the names wil come up :)

Wendy

[PulkownikSwiatlo]

Hi ...

Its the same in all the versions ...

Double click on the gradient thumbnail at the top of the page then as long as your have the default set loaded the first one top left hand side is Foreground to Background and the one next to it is Forground to Transparent.


I've got it!
Thanks :)

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Oh that is good ... :)

Sorry I just realised that I forgot to give you a link to Grant's tools ... using the mask in there is so much simpler :)

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/Files.html

Wendy

[ME100FINN]

Cezar, I am sure you got it all worked out by now, but another quick method would be creating a duplicate layer and then use different opacities with different erasers to allow details to show through. This can be a bit tougher to control/undo, but can be just as effective.