Why gradients only linear and radial?

I'm in CS3 and have a very simple need. I want to make a photograph fade out on all four sides using a gradient transparency mask. The gradient tool, however, only has linear and radial. Very, very limiting. I also want to make an oval transparency mask that allows another photo to fade out equally along the boundry of the oval. Again, the radial seems like the one to use, but it does not follow the oval. Instead, it justs makes a circular gradient (it did say "radial" after all, but this seems really lame.) The Feather tool comes close, but it does not have the control I need. I could try the grided gradient tool, or whater that is called. But I find that unwieldy. In short, I'm looking for a tool or a method that will allow a gradient to follow the edge of any shape I draw, not just a circle. This is so fundamental I'm sure I'm just missing something. Thanks for any help.
MGuilfoile
G5/2500 10.4.11 CS3

Thanks, those are good work-arounds! I think I'l try the two block method--I assume those have Feathered edges? It may work, but the downside, as I pointed out before, is that the adjustment tools for Feather are not nearly as good as for the gradient tool. Additionally, Feather limits the transition to two inches. Because I deal with large output, two inches rarely enough. I've always had a hard time with the gradient mest tool because I've used it for exactly this issue. I've had to make a number of maps with indistinct borders and the gradient mesh tool is overkill for such a simple need. Or maybe I just haven't figured it out yet. A simple gradient tool that would follow the outline of your shape seems an obvious tool that AI has missed for some reason. Maybe a feature request? Thanks again for the help! That was quick!
MGuilfoile

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