How do you use the gradient tool in Illustrator CS5?

How to use the gradient tool in Illustrator

  1. Create a shape in Illustrator.
  2. Select the Gradient Tool from your toolbox.
  3. Go to the “Fill” box under “Appearance” on the right of the screen.
  4. This opens the settings box for the Gradient Tool.
  5. In “Type:” choose from linear, radial or freeform gradients.

How do you make a gradient stroke in Illustrator CS5?

Quick Tip: How to Create a Gradient on Stroke Effect in Adobe Illustrator CS5

  1. Create a Gradient Filled Rectangle.
  2. Expand the Gradient & Delete the Clipping Path.
  3. Create an Art Brush.
  4. Use the Width Tool with the Brush.
  5. Create Three Valves.
  6. Create a Closed Path from an Ellipse.
  7. Apply the Gradient Brush to a Closed Path.

Are gradients in Illustrator vector?

Vectors and Color Gradients Color gradients within the vector programs are actually raster (not vector) effects. When we draw your image with a vector program but also include a soft color blend, your image will contain both vector & non-vector elements.

Why is my gradient tool not working in Illustrator?

You may just need to change to a gradient filled by choosing the middle icon at the bottom of your tools. Or use the eyedropper to fill a selected item. Select the object then in the appearance panel use the fly out menu to Clear Appearance, now try the grad tool.

How do you change stroke to gradient in Illustrator?

Click the Stroke box in the Gradient panel to edit the gradient applied to the stroke (circled in the figure below). Leave the Type as Linear and click the Apply Gradient Across Stroke button ( ). You can apply a gradient to a stroke in three ways: within a stroke (default), along a stroke, and across a stroke.

Can vector art have gradients?

There are plenty of pieces of vector art out there which use gradients, but in such a subtle fashion you wouldn’t necessarily think they were used. They can be used to smooth out areas of an illustration or give that subtle change in color without the hard edges of a solid color shape.

How do you Freeform a gradient in Illustrator?

Apply a freeform gradient

  1. Select the Gradient tool in the toolbar on the left and click in the artwork to apply a default White, Black gradient, in this instance.
  2. In the Properties panel, click the Freeform Gradient button to change the gradient to a freeform gradient.

How do you reset the gradient tool in Illustrator?

Resetting the Gradient Tool

  1. Get the Gradient tool.
  2. In Tool Options, click on the down facing triangle next to the tool icon to the far left to get a drop down panel.
  3. Click on the icon in the upper right corner to get a fly-out menu and choose Reset Tool.

How do you make a gradient follow a path in Illustrator?

Make a Gradient Follow a path and Fill a Shape

  1. In the Gradient panel build a gradient with the colors you want.
  2. With the Pen Tool, draw a path that more or less follows the middle of the crescent shape.
  3. Apply the gradient to the stroke of the drawn path, set to go along the path.

Can you make a gradient stroke in Illustrator?