27 blend modes
Everything from Multiply, Overlay, Vivid Light, and Hard Mix to Difference, Hue, Color, and Luminosity is included, organized with group dividers.
EssentialAlso in Pro
TMCColor Overlay
Apply solid colors and gradients to layers for easy compositing
Brings the Color / Gradient Overlay layer styles into an effect, so you can apply 27 blend modes without a separate compositing layer. It's mainly used for compositing.
Color Overlay
Key features
5 gradient shapes
Choose a shape from Linear, Radial, Angle, Reflected, and Diamond, and set the direction and length directly in the Composition panel with the Start of Ramp and End of Ramp points.
Gradient editor and 12 preset palettes
Add stops freely, and start from one of 12 preset palettes, such as Rainbow, Pastel Rainbow, Sunset, and Holographic.
Quick start
Follow these steps in order the first time.
- Apply Effect › TMC › TMC Color Overlay to the layer you want to color.
- Choose Fill (solid color) or Gradient in Mode.
- Set how it mixes with the original in Blend Mode. Multiply works well for coloring shadows, and Screen or Linear Dodge (Add) for adding light.
- For a gradient, set the colors in Gradient Colors and the shape and direction in Gradient Settings.
Parameter guide
Listed in the same order as the Effect Controls panel.
Effect Controls · TMC Color OverlayClick a group to expand it
Basic parameters3
Mode
FillGradient
Blend Mode
How the effect is blended with the original
NormalDissolveDarkenMultiplyColor BurnLinear BurnDarker ColorLightenScreenColor DodgeLinear Dodge (Add)Lighter ColorOverlaySoft LightHard LightVivid LightLinear LightPin LightHard MixDifferenceExclusionSubtractDivideHueSaturationColorLuminosity
Fill
Gradient Colors7
Start of Ramp
Where the gradient starts. Drag it in the Composition panel to move it.
End of Ramp
Where the gradient ends. Drag it in the Composition panel to move it.
Use Preset Palette
Loads one of 12 ready-made palettes into the gradient. None leaves the current gradient as it is.
12 palettes
Gradient Editor
An editor for building a gradient by adding, moving, and deleting color stops
Selected Stop Color
Sets the color of the color stop selected in the gradient editor.
Cycle Repetitions
Sets how many times the gradient repeats.
Phase
The angle that shifts the repeating gradient. Turning it 360° moves the gradient by one full cycle, and keyframing it makes the colors flow.
Gradient Settings4
Angle
Mid Point
Moves where the halfway point of the gradient falls, from 0 to 100%. At the default of 50%, the colors blend evenly.
Gradient Invert
Shape
Chooses the shape of the gradient: Linear, Radial, Angle, Reflected, or Diamond.
LinearRadialAngleReflectedDiamond
Other parameters2
Master Opacity
The opacity of the whole effect
Style
Chooses how the gradient transitions. Sharp (the default) changes at an even rate from start to end, and Smooth eases in and out at both ends for a softer blend.
SharpSmooth
Practical tips
- When matching a character illustration to the background lighting, a Color or Hue blend changes only the color and keeps the shading as it is.
- To make the gradient ease in and out at both ends, switch Style to Smooth. The default, Sharp, changes color at an even rate from start to end.
- Check whether the color also fills transparent areas, and lower the overall strength with Master Opacity if needed.
Where to use it
- Compositing a character to match the color of the background lighting
- Pop-style type made with a gradient overlay
- An adjustment layer that changes the color mood of the whole frame at once
Pairs well with
Technical notes
- CPU only, with an AVX2 fast path.
- Supports 8 · 16 · 32 bpc float, SmartFX, and Multi-Frame Rendering, with a custom UI that includes a gradient editor and on-canvas handles.
Included in both Essential and Pro
Start with Essential for $99, or get all 25 with Pro for $199.