Editing a graduated or gradient mask

[Richard Liu]

I have created a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer and painted over the layer with the gradient tool.  Sometime later I want to adjust the gradient.  I can find no way to do so.  Clicking on the layer in question and then on the gradient tool displays no handles, and clicking with the gradient  tool in the document (image) lays down a new gradient.  I have tried doing the same thing by creating a mask as a child layer of the Brightness/Contrast layer, then clicking the mask and creating a gradient in it with the gradient tool.  I find no way to adjust the gradient on the mask, only to lay down a new one.

I just cannot believe that this is not possible and/or not straight forward.  Although quite satisfied with @James Ritson's tutorials, https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/tutorials/photo/desktop/video/296616219/ , second use of gradient tool, begs the question, how one edits the gradient on the blur filter when one later wants to change it, especially since, in the first example (atmospheric haze), James makes a point of extolling the advantage of being able to go back and adjust the gradient.

Edited August 10, 2019 by Richard Liu
Changed title to include both gradient and graduated

[Ron P.]

@Richard Liu,

If you notice at the very start of that tutorial, James creates a New Fill Layer. For whatever reason, the gradient can be edited. Just filling a pixel layer with a gradient bakes that in once you click away or otherwise accept it. The Gradient Overlay found in the FX panel, also can be edited later.

You can not change the gradient applied to the blur filter. Once you click away it's baked in. I don't agree with this, but it's how they designed it.

[Richard Liu]

Thanks.  I suspected as much.  My enthusiasm for Affinity Photo is waning and deeper I wade into it.  It's these kinds of inconsistencies that should not exist when a product is new (as opposed to the Adobe stuff) and has the benefit of having recently been designed from the ground up.

[Gnobelix]

Hello @Richard Liu,

I would try this.
Create a new Layer.
Draw a rectangle on this level,  so big as the layer.
In the rectangle create a gradient,  and set the blendmode e.g. in soft light.
Is the rectangle layer active and a click on the gradient tool,  then can the gradient be edited.

 

Cheers

[carl123]

Use a Fill Layer with a gradient as the mask for your adjustment layer

The Fill Layer can be any colour - as you adjust the Opacity of the Gradient nodes to adjust the mask (not the black/white values)

Clicking the Fill Layer with the Gradient Tool will allow you to adjust the mask at any point in the future

I have used a Black & White Adjustment Layer in my example (just for clarity) but it works with any adjustment layer

 

[HVDB Photography]

One can also group different adjustments and apply the gradient masking to that group.
Here I added a single exposure adj to the bottom part, and a group adj to the upper part.

[Kevin_T]

carl123 ! - thank you so much -  It's perfect.. I was just going to update this with a look look it doesn't work! until i read this again: The Fill Layer can be any colour - as you adjust the Opacity of the Gradient nodes to adjust the mask (not the black/white values) - 

- brilliant - Finally:)

EVERY single tutorial I have seen on this mentions only the black/white values and not the Opacity for this desired effect. - thx again

Kevin

[OhNoBobo]

Has this issue been fixed? It's been 3 years since this has been reported and I still can't figure out how to edit a gradient mask after clicking away... Has anyone heard of any progress from the Affinity team? 

[northtrader]

I too need the ability to create a radial gradient mask and then have the ability to edit the gradient after creating the mask  .....  Is there still no way to do this?  If there is, how can it be done?  The solution offered by gnobelix won't be suitable in my application.  I need an actual mask (not a blended gradient).  I also need to be able to edit the parameters  of the gradient that is defining the mask.  Any ideas?

[northtrader]

I too need the ability to create a radial gradient mask and then have the ability to edit the gradient after creating the mask  .....  Is there still no way to do this?  If there is, how can it be done?  The solution offered by gnobelix won't be suitable in my application.  I need an actual mask (not a blended gradient).  I also need to be able to edit the parameters  of the gradient that is defining the mask.  Any ideas?

I found a 'work around' that allowed me to achieve the results I needed base on the following youtube video:  

 It's actually a gradient clipped image that is being created - not an actual mask - but the technique worked great for the composite I was creating.

[kakubei]

I create a mask, then add a gradient to it so I can control the opacity from transparent (black in the mask) to 100% opaque (white in the mask). 

Once the gradient is created, there is no way to edit it if you click away from it. 

I need to create a new one which defeats the purpose of trying to adjust it. 

If I apply a gradient to an object, then I can get the handles back by clicking on the object with the Gradient tool active. 

But in a mask layer it doesn't come up. 

This is using Affinity Designer 2 on a Mac, there is no Fill Layer on Designer as there is on Photo.

Any recommendations on how to apply and control a mask with a gradient?

[NotMyFault]

2 minutes ago, kakubei said:

I create a mask, then add a gradient to it so I can control the opacity from transparent (black in the mask) to 100% opaque (white in the mask). 

Once the gradient is created, there is no way to edit it if you click away from it. 

I need to create a new one which defeats the purpose of trying to adjust it. 

If I apply a gradient to an object, then I can get the handles back by clicking on the object with the Gradient tool active. 

But in a mask layer it doesn't come up. 

This is using Affinity Designer 2 on a Mac. 

Any recommendations on how to apply and control a mask with a gradient?

Use a rectangular shape instead a mask layer.

Then change the opacity instead of the lightness for the gradient nodes.

 

[GarryP]

20 minutes ago, kakubei said:

Once the gradient is created, there is no way to edit it if you click away from it.

A mask is just a ‘bunch of pixels’ with no ‘memory’ of how it was edited.

When you draw a gradient fill (or anything else) on it, that will become ‘baked in’ once you have finished drawing it (clicked away).

Another way to do what (I think) you want is to use a Rectangle as a Mask with the Transparency Tool – see attached video. (Remember to drag the rectangle onto the thumbnail of the layer, not the name.)