gradient - Photoshop image fading and background effect

I believe it's easy to do, but I am missing some details. Somehow, my results are not what I'd wanted them to look like.

• How to draw illustrational lines? (Think of the lines from Windows Vista login screen, for example.)



• … and how to crossfade the created image with another image?

This is what I'm trying to achieve:

Other example of lines I'd like to draw (and later fade over some image):

Answer

The fade is best done using masking. (The example you gave actually has some poor cloning in it, but that's irrelevant)

Basically: 1) Create a new layer mask

2) Select the gradient tool (G)

3) Drag out your gradient, make sure it's the "black to transparent" gradient.

Here's an image:

As for the line, I recommend just using the pen tool. If you want your lines to "fade out" just use masking! It looks like you're doing a great job already :]