In Photoshop, go to Edit > Fade… or Command-Shift F
Of millions tools you can use in Photoshop, Fade is my third most used tools for one simple reason: it will make your work look subtle and professional. When you does an one time change to your layer that you liked but felt that it was too strong and bold, you can get it to halfway between original one and changed one by just setting Fade opacity to 50% in Fade window pictured below.
The best example I can give you about the effectiveness of this tool is by comparing two same images, one’s original and other one’s sharpened (PS Filter). Sharpened one is too much to my eyes so I went for 50% to get details to stand out while not looking too abused:
It doesn’t have to be for pixel art only, it can be for anything such as digital photograph:
Or more extreme example using Texturizer (Burlap) Filter to create crumpled photograph paper:
Fade opacity is set to 30% and Mode is set to Overlay.
You can use Fade tool with almost every filters, adjustments, etc. Mode option found in Fade window is rarely useful for me since I prefer to do it via separate layers with layer mode on so I can change layer mode anytime I want to in the future instead of it being permanent.
One thing worth noting is that the usefulness of this tool will be less with upcoming Smart Layer in Photoshop CS3 but Fade will always have its place in Photoshop for a quick and dirty job.
Interesting, I’m new to PS and haven’t ever used the Fade tool.
I use the fade tool too! Oh and by the way, I think I caught one of your icons being used in the TV show Smallville. Maybe I’ll talk to you about it if I see you online =)
Great Post!
@Ernest Liu: Ohhh do share!
-Owl
I don’t use the fade tool that much, because I usually duplicate my layers, apply the effect on the upper one, and control the blending mode and opacity via layer styles, what can be easily changed later if necessary.
I do that too but the main problem with it is that file size and memory usage are going to balloon up until you get loading window for every action you do. Time is critical for some of the projects so the best way to keep them low on file size and memory usage is to build as fewest layers and effects as possible (for those layers that you are pretty sure you won’t change in the future.)
Memory usage will always be a problem for as long as Adobe keep insisting on using their own memory management system instead of letting Mac OS X take care of it automatically.
Ooh, cool. I’ve been using PS since 2004 but I’ve never ever seen that. I’m starting to feel left out now :P
Cool, Adam. Fade is one of my favorites, too. Accompanied with the occasional contrast bump, it really does add a nice crispness to a piece.
I’ve used Photoshop for years now and never knew this. This fill definetely encourage my usage of filters like sharpen. Thanks!