How to create a fade to transparent gradient effect in Illustrator?

For Illustrator

Draw a rectangle above your pattern object and fill it with a gradient…

You will have to add the color stops the Gradient Panel to create the reflected gradient.

Then be certain to click the end stops and set their opacity to 0%:

More information on working with gradients in Illustrator can be found by clicking here.

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For Photoshop

Set your foreground and background colors to the default black and white. You can do this my just tapping the D key on the keyboard.

Method 1

Choose Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient from the menu.

Name the layer if you want in the pop up window then click OK

You get a second pop up window. Simply alter the settings to create the gradient….

Then move this new layer above your pattern layer in the Layers Panel

Method 2

Select the Gradient Tool.

In the Control Bar across the top of the screen, choose the Reflected gradient option:

Set the gradient in the Control Bar to be a foreground to transparent gradient (because you set the color to defaults it will be a black to transparent gradient).

Add a New Layer above the “pattern” artwork.

Then, click and drag from the center of the document window to the edge.

This will create a gradient across the center of the document.