Explore more about different types of gradients in Illustrator.
A Gradient is a graduated blend of two or more colors or tints of the same color. You can use gradients to create color blends, add volume to vector objects, and add a light and shadow effect to the artwork. You can even create, apply, and modify a Gradient using the Gradient panel, the Gradient tool, or the Control panel.
Gradient types
You can create three types of gradients in Illustrator:
- Linear Gradient: Use this gradient type to blend colors from one point to another in a straight line.
- Radial Gradient: Use this gradient type to blend colors from one point to another point in a circular pattern.
- Freeform Gradient: Use this gradient type to create a graduated blend of color stops within a shape in an ordered or random sequence such that the blending appears smooth and natural. Freeform Gradient can be applied in two modes:
- Points: Use this mode to shade the area around a color stop.
- Lines: Use this mode to shade the area around a line.
Linear Gradient and Radial Gradient can be applied on the Fill and Stroke of an object. The Freeform Gradient can be applied only on the Fill of an object.
A. Linear Gradient B. Radial Gradient C. Freeform Gradient
A Color Stop is a point on the Gradient Annotator (for Linear Gradient and Radial Gradient) or on the object (for Freeform Gradient) that controls the gradient’s color. You can change the color of the color stops to set a gradient.
Gradient Annotator
For the linear and radial gradient types, selecting the Gradient tool in the toolbar displays Gradient Annotator in the artwork. It’s a slider that shows a starting point, an end point, a midpoint, and two color stops for the starting and end points.
To hide or show the Gradient Annotator, select View > Hide Gradient Annotator or View > Show Gradient Annotator.
You can use the Gradient Annotator to modify the angle, location, and spread of a Linear Gradient and the focal point, origin, and spread of a Radial Gradient. Once the Gradient Annotator appears in the object, you can either use the Gradient panel or the Gradient Annotator to add new color stops, specify new colors for individual color stops, change Opacity settings, and drag color stops to new locations.
Select Windows > Gradient to access the Gradient panel.
In linear and radial Gradient Annotators, dragging the circular end (starting point) of the gradient slider repositions the origin of the Gradient, and dragging the arrow end (end point) increases or decreases the range of the Gradient. If you place the pointer over the end point, a rotation cursor appears that you can use to change the Angle of the gradient.
Freeform Gradient allows you to place color stops anywhere in the object. Therefore, it doesn’t require a Gradient Annotator.
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