How To Use A Gradient as a Mask Layer in ProShow Producer Overview Gradients are a powerful new feature in ProShow Producer. Before, you had to create gradients and even solid color graphics in an external graphics editor. Now, you can use gradients in a variety of different ways in ProShow Producer without ever leaving the program. Here, we will look at how you can create a gradient to be used as a mask. You can also use solid color layers to quickly and easily create simple masks.

To Apply a Gradient as a Mask Layer:

1. In the Slide List, double-click on the slide that contains the image you would like to add a gradient mask layer to.
2. In the Slide Options dialog, click < Layers >.
3. Click < Add > and select < Add Gradient >.
4. This launches the Create Gradient dialog. In the Create Gradient dialog, select a Preset and Type category. In the Chooser, click on the gradient that you would like to use.
5. In the bar below, use the anchors to add new bands of color to the gradient. Move the anchors to increase and decrease the width of color bands. Click < Set Color > to change the color of the band. Click < Reverse > to reverse the order of the color bands.
6. Set the Opacity of the gradient using the opacity slider. Use the Gradient Settings to add additional customizations. The controls that are available depend on the type of gradient you choose.
7. Click < OK >.
8. In Layers Options, select the gradient as the layer to make the mask. Make sure that this layer is on top of the other layer in the Slide Contents list.
9. Check the box next to This Layer is a Mask.
10. In the Channel drop-down menu, choose Grayscale to mask the underlying layer. Now, you will notice that the gradient is acting as a mask for the underlying image. You can choose to invert the mask for a different creative effect by checking the box next to Invert Mask.
11. Click < Done >.
12. Preview the masking effect by clicking the < Play > button in the preview window.