By now, you may have already mastered some basic tool-use functionality in Adobe Illustrator; such as attaching hair or hair effect to an image or more complex things like raster effect. To enrich your knowledge in digital graphic design we have prepared this article. Here you will learn how to use the gradient fill tool in Adobe Illustrator.
How can you use the gradient fill tool in Adobe Illustrator?
One of the advantages of Adobe Illustrator is to provide a wide range of possibilities when editing objects or images, which are nothing more than graphic resources that you can either create or import.
Steps to use the gradient fill tool in Adobe Illustrator
You should know, is that the use of the fill gradient tool is usually applied to merge two or more colors, or add light effects. Mostly you work on silhouettes or a vector image; In case you want to transfer an image to vector, you can do it with this program, since they are objects that give the possibility of using a fill with the color and gradient tool.
Choose a color for the fill gradient
- Go to the color box in the toolbar, which is at the bottom, there select the color option,
- Then select a color by double-clicking on the color box and finally Ok.
Work with the fill gradient tool
- First go to the gradient fill tool, found on the toolbar. Now click on the area of the object where you will apply the gradient. Then, click on the gradient tab to open the gradient panel.
- To adjust the settings of the gradient bar, you will find a scale that you can freely move with a slider, so you can set the desired tone and level of gradient since it will always show you by default black and white as the initial color and the final color. respectively,
Using other gradient shades
- If you prefer to use other shades of gradient fill, then click on the slider of this scale, click on the drop-down arrows and select a color scale, then in that same dialog box you will be able to choose a color. If you want to change the angle or direction of the applied fill gradient, then just click on the selection and drag the cursor, until it rotates in the direction you want, so you can simulate a lighting effect.
- In the same gradient panel, you will have the option of editing the opacity, as well as the aspect ratio. After making all the adjustments, if you are not completely satisfied with the fill and gradient that you applied, simply click on the undo option and proceed to make other adjustments.
Gradient fill types
In the gradient panel you also have the option to choose the type of gradient :
- Radial: where it will assume a shape in circles or ovals,
- Linear: in which the colors form parallel lines, this gradient is ideal to apply it on lines or edges of objects, and
- Free Form: where in turn you will have a couple more options available: points and lines.
How to achieve a 3D effect on the object
- In the gradient, bar click to get another slider. In the same range of colors choose a softer tone.
- You can add more colors to the gradient, click on the gradient bar to add other sliders, to the same extent you will be adding other colors if you prefer until you achieve a 3D effect.
- You can apply the same technique to make 3D spheres; In this regard, we have an exclusive section for this topic.
We are sure that you will achieve effects impact on logos or any of your images with this brief guide on how to use the gradient tool to fill in Adobe Illustrator. Start now to bring these graphic resources to life, which will help you complement and enhance documents made with Adobe Illustrator.