Adobe Illustrator - Gradient applied to blend

Author

Gradient applied to blend

CompleteNewb

2006-06-27, 6:29 pm

Using Illustrator 10:

I made 2 horizontal lines about an inch apart, then used the blend tool to
create 30 steps between them. I wanted to apply a gradient such that the
top line would be dark color, then each line would lighten until the last
line was white.

Using the gradient tool works, except only horizontally (ie. all lines would
be dark color on right, then lighten to white on the left, or vice versa).
When I drag the gradient tool vertically, no gradient is applied. I tried
rotating the blend, but then the same thing happens; I can't apply the
gradient so that each line is progressively lighter; only all lines from
right to left or left to right.

Is there something about the blending I need to know, or some other action I
need to perform?

Any help is appreciated, and thanks for reading.

Mike

2006-06-27, 6:29 pm

In article <3POdnah7jaA17gXZnZ2dnUVZ_tednZ2d@comcast.com>, CompleteNewb@comcast.net says...
> Using Illustrator 10:
>
> I made 2 horizontal lines about an inch apart, then used the blend tool to
> create 30 steps between them. I wanted to apply a gradient such that the
> top line would be dark color, then each line would lighten until the last
> line was white.
>
> Using the gradient tool works, except only horizontally (ie. all lines would
> be dark color on right, then lighten to white on the left, or vice versa).
> When I drag the gradient tool vertically, no gradient is applied. I tried
> rotating the blend, but then the same thing happens; I can't apply the
> gradient so that each line is progressively lighter; only all lines from
> right to left or left to right.
>
> Is there something about the blending I need to know, or some other action I
> need to perform?
>
> Any help is appreciated, and thanks for reading.
>
Assuming I understand what you want - the lines are horizontal, you want the top one black, the bottom one white, and
shades of gray in between. You can belend a white and black line to achieve this effect, or you can blend two black
lines, then select the bottom line using the Direct Selection Tool (open arrow), and turn it white.

Mike

CompleteNewb

2006-06-27, 6:29 pm

Thanks Mike.

I actually had done this, but didn't like how I lose the control of
application of the gradient (you know, like how you can click/drag with the
tool, or move the color sliders in the gradient options to customize the
severity/location of the gradient). I guess the problem is that lines
technically don't have a fill, so a gradient can only move along a line,
whereas in a shape you can change direction of fill. So the concept of
gradient for lines is different than for fills.

Can you suggest ways I can control the gradient from line to line? My only
idea is to do a separate blend from line to line, using the color of each
successive line to control the gradient to the next. This is time
consuming, though, when you have 30 - 40 lines.

Thanks again, your input is appreciated.

"Mike" <m.fee@iirrll..ccrrii..nnzz> wrote in message
news:MPG.1f0396bb8bfc37019896cf@news.fx.net.nz...
> In article <3POdnah7jaA17gXZnZ2dnUVZ_tednZ2d@comcast.com>,
> CompleteNewb@comcast.net says...
> Assuming I understand what you want - the lines are horizontal, you want
> the top one black, the bottom one white, and
> shades of gray in between. You can belend a white and black line to
> achieve this effect, or you can blend two black
> lines, then select the bottom line using the Direct Selection Tool (open
> arrow), and turn it white.
>
> Mike

Mike

2006-06-27, 6:29 pm

In article <tbmdnX0psuBIxwTZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com>, CompleteNewb@comcast.net says...
> Thanks Mike.
>
> I actually had done this, but didn't like how I lose the control of
> application of the gradient (you know, like how you can click/drag with the
> tool, or move the color sliders in the gradient options to customize the
> severity/location of the gradient). I guess the problem is that lines
> technically don't have a fill, so a gradient can only move along a line,
> whereas in a shape you can change direction of fill. So the concept of
> gradient for lines is different than for fills.
>
> Can you suggest ways I can control the gradient from line to line? My only
> idea is to do a separate blend from line to line, using the color of each
> successive line to control the gradient to the next. This is time
> consuming, though, when you have 30 - 40 lines.
>
> Thanks again, your input is appreciated.
>
>
Depends exactly what you want. If you do a search on 'blend path' in Help you will see how to add a path to a blend.
Then you can add anchor points and drag the anchor points around. you can vary the rate of colour change in the
'gradient' formed from a blend of two lines of different colours, but the separation of the lines will also vary.

I was playing around and found another way that might work although it is a little resource intensive.

1) Draw a couple of lines and build your blend.
2) Now apply an Object Expand Stroke to it.
3) Now draw a rectangle and apply the gradient you want to it.
4) Place the rectangle over the Blended and Expanded lines
5) Select both and do a Pathfinder Intersect

You will now have the shape of the lines coloured as the gradient.
You can still use the Gradient tool to further adjust the gradient and, if you are careful, you can use the Direct
Select arrow to grab the ends of the 'blend lines' and move them around to change the orientation, separation etc of
the lines.

Mike
>
>