Matt's Blog

Have you ever wondered how people have Text on an image fade from left-to-right or from top-to-bottom, or visa versa? Well, I’m going to show you how. First of all, open up Photoshop (I’m using the CS3 Beta, but it’ll work in previous versions), and open a new document (Ctrl+N) and enter your dimensions.

Now, grab the text tool and (T) use it to put in some text.

Now, go down to your Layers Pallet (if it isn’t open, hit F7 or go Window > Layers), and click the Add Layer Mask icon.

Now, once you’ve done that, make sure you’re on the Mask (click the white rectangle on the layer’s name, if you aren’t), and go over to the Gradient Tool (G). Now click and drag your cursor from left-to-right for a faded to normal effect and right-to-left for a normal to faded effect.

You could also spruce up the text a bit by going back into the Text part of the layer (click the little “T” on the layer’s name) and add effects to it. Plus, since the text will be slightly transparent, you’ll be able to add layers underneath it to make it look even better.

This technique isn’t limited to just text, either.

Get it? Got it? Good.

Find something useful here? Feel free to help me out by sending a donation. :)

Sorted under Tutorials.