Adobe Illustrator CS5 - Illustrator Unit E: Working with Text and Gradients

Objectives Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to: Create a gradient Create and format text Use the Gradient tool Create a drop shadow for text Place a bitmap image Apply a radial gradient Make an object transparent Create text on a path

Creating a Gradient Gradient: type of fill that provides a transition between colors Created using the Gradient panel Types of Gradients: Linear: colors gradate in one straight direction Radial: color radiates from a central point

Creating a Gradient Gradients are composed of two or more color stops Colors that are blended Gradient Slider Shows a preview Midpoint slider Determines where the two colors are blended with 50% of each color

Creating a Gradient FIGURE E-2: Elements of the Gradient pane

Creating a Gradient FIGURE E-3: Viewing three color stops FIGURE E-4: Moving a midpoint slider

Creating a Gradient FIGURE E-1: Identifying the Linear Gradient swatch To create a Swatch: Drag and drop from the Gradient panel, double-click to name it. OR Click the Options button, New Swatch, from the Swatches panel.

Creating and Formatting Text Text is created using the Type tool Text must be selected to be formatted, with either the Selection tool or the Type tool Formatted using the Character panel Fonts and font sizes Kerning: adjusting the space between 2 characters Tracking: affects overall spacing of all the text

Creating and Formatting Text FIGURE E-5: Character panel

Creating and Formatting Text FIGURE E-6: Two kerned pairs of letters

Using the Gradient Tool Used to define the length and angle of the gradient Works by clicking and dragging Creates beginning and ending points Any direction and length Gradient annotator appears as you drag, showing the gradient length and direction

Using the Gradient Tool FIGURE E-7: Viewing the linear gradient in the letter objects

Using the Gradient Tool FIGURE E-8: Using the Gradient tool FIGURE E-9: Gradient flowing from top to bottom

Creating Drop Shadows Drop shadows: Effects used to enhance type To offset a copy of text (usually black) behind the main text Offset means that the two are not aligned Shadow is visible in a slightly different location Blackness behind main text makes the main text stand out more Can use any color

Creating Drop Shadows FIGURE E-10: Simple drop shadow FIGURE E-11: Smoother, more appealing drop shadow

Creating Drop Shadows FIGURE E-12: Positioning the text

Placing a Bitmap Image Bitmap images Vector graphics Bitmap = graphics created with pixels (like a photograph) Imported using the Place command Treated in many ways like an Illustrator object: transform it, move it, apply a stroke, etc. Vector graphics Created mathematically with paths Resize without pixelating

Placing a Bitmap Image FIGURE E-13: Viewing the placed image

Placing a Bitmap Image FIGURE E-14: Positioning the red circle Positioning the clipped image

Applying a Radial Gradient Radial gradients: Like concentric circles Colors in radial gradients radiate outward from a small circle in the center and then get increasingly larger Applied using the Gradient tool How far you drag from the center represents the length that the gradient will gradate outwardly from the center Gradient annotator appears on the object

Applying a Radial Gradient FIGURE E-18: Redrawing the radial gradient fill FIGURE E-19: Viewing the radial gradient

Making an Object Transparent When an object is opaque, you cannot see through it Opacity: how opaque the fill or stroke of an object is Transparency panel: used to specify object opacity Makes objects transparent or semi-transparent

Making an Object Transparent FIGURE E-21: Transparency panel FIGURE E-22: Viewing the semi-transparent circle and its effect

Creating Type on a Path Type on a Path tool Used to position type on curved paths, straight paths, and objects Center bracket appears on the path that can be dragged with Selection tool

Creating Type on a Path Character panel: Baseline shift: Used to format text Baseline shift: Specifies how far above or below the path the text is positioned Positive value: positions text above the path Negative value: positions text below the path

Creating Type on a Path FIGURE E-23: Using the center bracket to position the text

Creating Type on a Path FIGURE E-24: Viewing the final illustration