How can I "fade" the enclosed background from full color to transparent (left to right). I have looked for a tutorial on gradients but haven't found one thus far...doesn't mean it's not there, just that I haven't found it. Thank you.

Why not just convert your background layer to a normal layer. Place a empty layer behind the layer you want to fade then add a layer mask to the that layer. On the mask use the gradient tool. The picture fades from the top(original background) layer to the empty or transperant layer underneath.

Jim

I'm not sure if this is what you are talking about or not but Flora talks about how to go from full color to transparent using the gradient tool in her reply to to Mona. You can find it here...http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7983

Tried both methods and they both worked so well that now my only problem is deciding which one to use! Thank you both for your kind assistance.