Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
current harmony.
The Color Guide panel after changing the number of steps from the
default 4 to 7, via Color Guide Options
To access the Harmony Rules menu, click on the popup menu to the far right of the
base color. Once a new harmony rule is selected, its colors fill the strip beside the
base color. Alter how many variations of that color group you see by choosing Color
Guide Options from the Color Guide panel's menu. You can change the number of
steps in each color's gradient (up to 20) and the amount of variation between steps.
Also in the panel's menu you will find the choice to view the colors as shades and
tints, warm and cool, or vivid and muted. The Color Guide panel is one that can be
resized wider and taller to accommodate the size of the grid. If you want to use your
current color group as a base for even more color variations, click the Edit Colors
icon at the bottom of the panel to enter the Edit Colors/Recolor Artwork dialog (for
more about this icon see the
“
Live Color
” section later in this chapter).
GRADIENTS
Gradients create seamless transitions from one color into another, often creating the
appearance of realistic modeling. Illustrator can create either Radial or Linear
gradients. You can not only apply gradients to Fills, but now in many cases, you can
also apply gradients to Strokes. There are many similarities and a few distinct
differences between the ways gradients can be applied to Fills versus Strokes. First,
here are some of the similarities:
For both Fills and Strokes, you can choose a gradient style from the Swatches or the
Gradient panels, and via Swatch Libraries accessed with buttons in panels or from
the Window menu. Click the New Swatch icon in the Swatches panel to save your
current gradient or, if you've modified a gradient since it was last saved, you can save
the current variation within the Gradient panel by clicking on the arrow next to the
main gradient icon and click the Add To Swatches icon.
Within the Gradient panel, you can make a variety of adjustments, including adding
color stops, changing the colors and opacities of stops, toggling between Radial and
Linear, or reversing the direction of the gradient. To find out how the Gradient panel
changes to accommodate the specifics of Gradient Fills versus Strokes, see below.
