Layers in Adobe

[Freeman]

I want to apply a color gradient into a coustom shape. how do I do this? All I want is to have the coustom shape be affected when I use the gradient tool. Thanks for the help, JF

[neilkw]

Are you using photoshop?

[BLiZZaRD]

Add layer >> from gradient >> select color, then mess with your opacity settings. brush the edges to your desired shape and dissolve from background.

Make sure the gradient layer is on top.

[djr33]

Simply just select an area, do the gradient, and be done with it, or as blizzard says, chop away the excess after. Whatever.