How Do I Fade a Picture Using Paint.Net?

By Junou Mathieu

Updated September 22, 2017

Fading pictures that are rich in color provide the best results.
i Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images

Graphic design programs are used to alter digital images. Paint.Net is a free graphic design program that can fade, recolor and retouch pictures. Because of the complexity of the program, Paint.Net is somewhat difficult to navigate and use. Fading or "blending" part of an image is a common task may give some novice Paint.Net users trouble. In Paint.Net, you must fade images by using gradients.

Open Paint.NET, go to "File" and click on "Open." Select and open the image that you want to fade.

Click on the blue box, which is located in the small window labeled "Tools." In the toolbar, you should see a short line of black and white boxes. Each small box represents a gradient. Pick the desired gradient that will fade your image.

Press the gray box to the right of the line of gradients. Wait until a drop-down menu appears, and click on the second option, which is "Transparency mode." This option will allow you to create a gradient (fade) with your picture instead of the selected primary and secondary colors.

Left-click your mouse on any area of the picture. Continue holding the button and move your mouse in any direction towards the image's edge until you are satisfied with the fade.

Tips

Ensure that you have the latest version of Paint.NET downloaded to your computer.

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