Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Gradient Fills and the Gradient Annotator
In addition to Linear and Radial gradients, gradient fills also can become Elliptical
gradient fills created from Radial gradients. If the Fill is selected in the Gradient,
Tools, or Color panels, you can also apply the current or last-used gradient style to an
object by clicking (or click-dragging) with the Gradient tool. You can start and/or
end your gradient outside the object itself when dragging with the Gradient tool. This
also places the Gradient Annotator onto your fill object. After applying a gradient to a
selected object's Fill using the Swatches panel, or by clicking on the object with the
Gradient tool, use the Gradient panel or the Gradient Annotator (View> Show
Gradient Annotator) to edit the gradient. Using the Gradient tool you can make a
variety of adjustments to one object; with multiple gradient-filled objects selected,
you can click and drag across multiple objects filled with gradients and unify the
objects.
Probably the biggest difference between gradient fills and strokes is that only
gradient fills allow you to make adjustments to the gradient on the object itself, using
the Gradient tool. When the Gradient tool is active
and
Show Gradient Annotator is
enabled, the Gradient Annotator appears as a bar across the gradient on the Fill of a
selected object. To modify a Fill gradient using the Gradient Annotator, add and/or
move the stops along the lower edge of the Annotator. Adjust the blend between the
color stops by sliding the diamond shapes along the top of the Annotator, and change
the color by double-clicking on a stop to open a panel you can toggle between
showing the Color panel and the Swatches panel. You can set transparency for the
gradient here, as well. To rotate or scale your gradient, hover over the diamond end
of the Annotator until your cursor becomes a scale or rotate icon. Reposition the start
point of the gradient using the hollow circle at the other end. If your object has a
Radial Fill, you can also drag on the solid anchor to interactively transform the circle
into an elliptical shape.
Adding color to gradients
• Drag a swatch from the Color or Swatches panel to the Gradient slider until you
see a vertical line indicating where the new color stop will be added.
• Drag a solid color from the Fill or Stroke proxies in the Tools or Gradient panels.
• Hold down the Option/Alt key to drag a copy of a color stop.
• Option-drag/Alt-drag one stop over another to
swap
colors.
• For Fills, double-click the color stop on the Gradient Annotator or the slider bar in
the Gradient panel, and select a color from the Swatches or Color panels.
• For Fills, hover your cursor beneath the Gradient Annotator bar or Gradient slider
(where the stops are); when you see a small “+” next to your cursor, you can click to
add a new stop.
Missing Gradient Annotator?
If you don't see the Gradient Annotator, then try using the toggle View> Show
Gradient Annotator ( -Option-G/Ctrl-Alt-G). If you apply one unifying gradient to
multiple objects, however, you'll only see one (unifying) annotator until you later
reselect one or more objects, at which point you'll see one annotator per object.
