Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Gradients can be applied to the stroke or fill of an object.
2
.
To apply a gradient to a selected object, select an object, and do one of the following:
• Select the Stroke or Fill box, and then click the Gradient box ( ) in the Tools panel
to fill an object with the default white-to-black gradient or with the last selected
gradient.
• Change the Fill color or Stroke color in the Control panel to apply a gradient to
selected content.
• Select the Stroke or Fill box in the Tools panel, and then click a gradient swatch in
the Swatches panel.
• Use the Eyedropper tool ( ) to sample a gradient from an object in your artwork,
and then apply it to the selected object.
• Select the Stroke or Fill box in the Gradient panel, and then choose a gradient by
clicking the Gradient menu arrow ( ).
3
.
To adjust the blend between colors in a gradient, with the Gradient tool ( ) selected
and with the pointer over the gradient annotator or in the Gradient panel, you can drag
the diamond icons or the color stops of the gradient slider.
4
.
To add colors to a gradient, in the Gradient panel, click beneath the gradient slider to
add a gradient stop to the gradient. Then, double-click the color stop to edit the color,
using the panel that appears to mix a new color or to apply an existing color swatch.
You can select the Gradient tool in the Tools panel, position the pointer over the
gradient-filled object, and then click beneath the gradient slider that appears in the
artwork to add a color stop.
5
.
Drag with the Gradient tool to adjust the direction of a gradient. Dragging a long
distance changes colors gradually; dragging a short distance makes the color change
more abrupt. You can also rotate the gradient using the Gradient tool and change the
radius, aspect ratio, starting point, and more.
6
.
The difference between a
gradient
and a
blend
is the way that colors combine together
—colors blend together within a gradient and between objects in a blend.
7
.
You can blend the shapes and colors of objects by doing one of the following:
• Click each object with the Blend tool ( ) to create a blend of intermediate steps
between the objects, according to preset blend options.
• Select the objects and choose Object > Blend > Blend Options to set the number of
intermediate steps, and then choose Object > Blend > Make to create the blend.
Objects that have painted strokes blend differently than those with no strokes.
8
.
When you choose Smooth Color blend, Illustrator automatically calculates the number
of intermediate steps necessary to create a seamlessly smooth blend between the
selected objects. Specifying the number of steps lets you determine how many
