Fade from black to transparent

[edovan]

I have a black-n-white/grayscale image I want to fade from black to transparent instead of black to white. I thought this would be an easy match by using Gradient Map and setting the white stop opacity to 0%, but for some reason I don't know, it doesn't work. It remains white... I've tried with both PS 6.0 and PS 7.0. The opacity-thing doesn't work no matter how I try.

If you don't get what I'm after, I made a little sample pic so you can see what I want a successful fade to look like... (yes, I nicked it from the Warhol tutorial... )

EDIT: I forgot to tell that Multiply and such functions aren't desirable I want a plain, partially transparent layer...

[DannyRaphael]

There's a free plugin that will do this (PC only if I recall):

Google eliminate white photoshop plugin

No control, however.

- - - - - - -

Another option:
* Set foreground color to White
* Select > Color range and adjust the slider as needed, then OK
* Delete the selected area

Hope this helps.

[edovan]

Wow, that plugin did the thing allright! Thanks!

However I sort of solved the problem by using the Blend If-function before you posted the plugin. Unfortunatley I don't have the actual image in this computer so I'm not 100% sure it will work. My guess is that the plugin works best in the end.

But I still wonder why the opacity-setting in Gradient Map doesn't work...?

[SWEngineer]

According to dpnew's tutorial on gradient maps (http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=132) "... the opacity stops allow you to apply more or less of the color [from the applied gradient] to the image. They will NOT make any part of your image transparent."

[MBChamberlain]

This is an easy method that doesn't damaging the original image in any way

1. Change the mode to greyscale (make sure the layer is not a background layer because background layers have no alpha channel)
2. On the channels tab ctrl click on the grey channel
3. Return to the layers tab, invert the selection, click the add layer mask button

Alternate:
3. Add a new layer filled with black, invert the selection, and click the add layer mask

Always remember that no method that involves transparency can exist on a background layer.

Take care,

Michael

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by MBChamberlain

This is an easy method that doesn't damaging the original image in any way

1. Change the mode to greyscale (make sure the layer is not a background layer because background layers have no alpha channel)
2. On the channels tab ctrl click on the grey channel
3. Return to the layers tab, invert the selection, click the add layer mask button

Alternate:
3. Add a new layer filled with black, invert the selection, and click the add layer mask

Always remember that no method that involves transparency can exist on a background layer.

Take care,

Michael

Great 1st contribution, Michael.

Isn't it amazing how many ways there are to accomplish a given task?

Thanks for sharing your expertise. Welcome aboard and keep 'em coming!

~Danny~