GIMP Version: 2.8
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: Windows 7
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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I think I used to know how to move segments in the Gradient Editor, but now I can't seem to find it in the manual or Gimp Chat. To clarify, I want to move the highlighted segment between the two on the left.



Thanks for any help you can give me.

i dont think you can move segments

instead you re-build the same gradientsegement where you want it

what you can do is mirror a segment

jas45: esper is right, you can't move the segments around. it wouldn't be so hard to get where you want to get by mirroring, though. just delete third segment from left and the very last segment, split the darker segment in two and delete the right half of it, then mirror what you have so far.

i learned to make gradients after i watched this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjuCM-UTXaQ

Thanks Esper,

I'm sure you recognize what I was making at the time (from Gimp Science Labs). When I noticed that the left and right segments were the same, I thought I saw a short-cut. I planned to replicate them (and flip as needed) then just move the center segment to the correct place.

Sometimes the longest way to get somewhere is the 'short-cut' way.

I went ahead and made the gradient the normal way, but it seems that this is a feature that would be useful if it could be implemented.

(I just noticed that there were two replies while I was typing this. Thanks to both of you)

i do recognize the gradient, and i think its great you try the harder route of making it yourself instead of downloading it !
making custom gradients is a good way to get better results in Gimp

there surely is a lot that could be improved in Gimp, but what can we do beside wait for the next version ?

im thinking if there is a way this gradient technique could be improved in a different way
in PS you can edit your gradient easily all the time, its not so easy in Gimp
but i was wondering if its possible to build a quasi-gradient from several layers and moving each one into place, especially for lighting effects

Esper: That is an interesting concept. It occurs to me as you say that, that different shapes (radial, linear etc) and even different rotations could be mixed together if a way to blend them could be found (and if a good use could be found).

well you can and it would work even better with blending modes

Esper:

Hmmm. That opens up a whole new world of possibilities. I might try this on the "Gold" border (in a subtle way). It's a great idea... probably you already have a lot time invested in experimenting with this.

no i havent, i made that in 10minutes
im just dissatisfied with what you can do with custom made gradients, because there isnt enough control
the same concerning the interaction of the gradientlayers with blendmodes, which is an essential part of all PS layerstyle effects

its all way too random, and blendmodes way too restricted to get a result that is easy to achieve

The thing that intrigues me is that you can have control over individual 'reflections'.

exactly and you can tweak each mini gradient with alpha-curves and blur