PS 2014 Foreground to transparent (gradient problems)

Question

Adobe Photoshop 2014
Files:
PSD                                Clock, Gradient line
DOCX, MHTML, PDF                   PS Foreground to transparent gradient
SWF                                2014-06-26_1509
PNG                                Clock (original), Clock (gradient), Clock (masked), PS 1, PS 2, PS 3
Foreground to transparent gradient
Foreground to Transparent will not work by simply clicking 'OK' and dragging mouse across a selected layer. This gradient tool is hyper sensitive, and unstable.
We tried to record the PS method for our gradient. Jing was our first choice, but Jing’s flash engine conflicts with the PS flash engine, blocking the gradient tool’s drag action. Jing can only record steps prior to the final drag-and-drop gradient action. Cam is rendered useless by HDR displays’ high resolution, causing glare white-out. Here is our visible work-flow.
>>
  1. Select Gradient Tool on left toolbar, open tool group and select 'Foreground to transparent' tool.
Occasionally, next close and reopen PS 2014 (stubborn gradient problems).
>
When PS 2014 reopens, the specific gradient tool remains selected. This clears some aspects of the PS 2014 cache, which sometimes help.
Notice that selected left tool bar button momentarily changes to Eyedropper, when Gradient Editor opens! A hint of what follows.
2. Select a layer to apply gradient to, this selected layer is the gradient tool's "Foreground". However, gradient is applied in ‘reverse’ (see below, 5).
3. Panels bottom bar, click mask button to 'Add a layer mask', then ‘Filter for pixel layers’ and ‘Add a vector mask' -

Answer 1

This may also help!
                Using only Add layer mask may indiscriminately result the following:
- Stressing here the words "may indiscriminately"...
when PS 2014 is unstable, adding actions when Layer mask alone fails, may (often) be stabilizing enough to make gradient work...
once PS 2014 begins performing Foreground to transparent gradients, then simply begin creating new transparency gradients when PS 2014 re-opens,
or just click Add layer mask to get going again;
- Layer mask alone may suffice, or it may slightly penetrate underlying layers with partial transparency, and/or…
- May convert transparent background to a foreground 'Color to transparent' gradient in opposite direction to (reversed) Foreground to transparent gradient;
- Exact/intended layer vs. vector behaviors are unknown, though each provides unique creative applications, in isolation and when used together;
- Use a new PSD file dedicated just to Foreground to transparent gradient. This quickly resolves inevitable multiple layer-and-tool conflicts.
4. Layers panel top bars, click ‘Lock transparent pixels’ and then click 'Filter for pixel layers'. These actions help focus PS 2014 on the current work-flow. Though given this gradient’s obvious corruption, it cannot be said that any method is specific, or repeatable. We are now stepping beyond the sometimes sufficient Add layer mask, experimenting with gradient line attempts as we go.
5. Finally, we will drag from point A to point B in workspace, resulting gradient with greatest transparency at A-side of selected layer. Click workspace anywhere and drag across selected layer: this creates a straight, dashed gradient line. When the mouse button is released at point B, the dashed line vanishes and the gradient is applied. Release mouse button where you want gradient to end. Note that the endpoint B inside of layer object will fade into opaque towards point B, right up to the B-side edge of the layer object. PS 2014 auto-renders an even gradient. Extending beyond object renders opacity curve with midpoint transparency closer to full opacity B-side of gradient line. This gradient tool, in its current structure, performs in reverse and should be renamed to Transparent to foreground: starting Point A is the transparent side of the gradient line!
6. Ctrl-Z or history to undo Foreground to transparent gradient (s). Experiment until it looks best. Multiple gradients can be applied from any direction. Occasionally, once PS 2014 has established effective (reversed) Foreground to transparent gradient behavior or behaviors (?... not sure what's going on there), then closing and reopening PS 2014, one can immediately begin to create new (reversed) Foreground to transparent gradients... without any masking or other workspace preparation!
Office 365 32-bit and PS 2014 64-bit conflict. When image pasted from PS into Word 365, Office pastes image as ‘Object’. Pasted object is distorted as square dimensions are vertically stretched 150% to offset square dimensions – e.g., 2px x 4px PS 2014 copied image layer becomes 2px x 6px Word image “Object”. Also, pasted objects cannot be formatted in any way. Re-sizing is not possible! This dimension distortion and formatting conflict does not arise in Office 64-bit; however, Microsoft will discourage (even withdraw support) as the bulk of corporate clients deploy Office as 32-bit software. PS 2014 is set to Maximize Compatibility.
- - Riverleaf digital publishing, summer 2014