Create Custom Gradients for Paint Shop Pro 9 or X from an Image

You don't have to be stuck with the default choices available in Paint Shop Pro, or spend time searching for gradients made by others. You can easily create your own custom gradients, even from an image. These steps work in both Paint Shop Pro 9 and X.

Open Paint Shop Pro, and then open any image (that you own, have permission to use, or is in the public domain) that you would like to use to create a gradient. Look at the Materials palette, make sure the gradient option is selected on the foreground, and then click on the gradient. Click on the Edit button in the Material Properties menu to bring up the Gradient Editor. Make sure that the editor does not cover the image you have opened.

The Gradient Editor has several options to choose from. Below are brief explanations of each option.

New - This is the option for creating a custom gradient

Copy (or Save As) - Use this option to save an edited gradient while keeping the original

Rename - Change the name of a gradient

Delete - Delete an existing gradient

Import - Use this option to add gradient files, with the .GRD file extension, to use in Paint Shop Pro

Export - This option allows you to export gradient files to use in other programs which support the .GRD file extension

To create your custom gradient from your chosen image, click on the New button. In the box that comes up give your custom gradient a name and then click the OK button.

To make a solid color, set the Transparency Opacity to 100%. The gradient should be defined with a marker at both 0% on the left and 100% on the right. Click on the 0% marker, and then move your mouse over the image so the cursor becomes the Dropper Tool. When you find a color you wish to use, click once to select it. In the Gradient Editor menu, click on the 100% marker and then move the mouse over the image again, selecting another color.

Add more colors by clicking on either the 0% or 100% markers, and then clicking anywhere in between the two markers. This will make an additional marker, which you can then click on and move the mouse around the image to select other colors. Repeat these steps to add as many colors as you like.

To further customize your new gradient, click and hold any marker to drag it along the bar until you are satisfied with the results. You can also adjust the transparency by clicking on and sliding the markers or adding additional markers as you do with the color markers to achieve other effects.

When you are finished with your custom gradient and are ready to save it, click on the Close button. A pop up will ask if you want to save the changes to the gradient. Click on the Yes button, and then click on the OK button. Your custom gradient is now available in the Gradient palette.

Using images to create custom gradients for use in Paint Shop Pro is easy and fast following these simple steps, which are compatible with versions 9 and X. The possibilities are endless!