Working with Text and Gradients

Objectives 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

Gradient: type of fill that provides a transition between colors Creating a Gradient Gradient: type of fill that provides a transition between colors Created using the Gradient panel Can be linear or radial Linear: colors gradate in one straight direction Radial gradient: color radiates from a central point

Gradients are composed of two or more color stops 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-1: Identifying the Linear Gradient swatch 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 and Formatting Text Text is created using the Type tool on the artboard Transformed using transform tools Select, move, fill, and stroke Formatted using the Character panel Fonts and font sizes Kerning: adjusting the space between pairs of characters Tracking: affects overall spacing

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 Manipulates the gradient independently of the object or objects that contain the gradient

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 a Drop Shadow for Text 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

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

Creating Drop Shadows for Text FIGURE E-12: Positioning the text

Placing a Bitmap Image Bitmap images Vector graphics Placed using the Place command Treated in many ways like an Illustrator object: transform it, move it, apply a stroke, etc. Created from pixels Small squares of color Vector graphics Created with paths and fills

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 Click represents the center How far you drag from the center represents the length that the gradient will gradate outwardly from the center Circular dotted line shows the size at which the radial gradient will appear in the object

Applying a Radial Gradient FIGURE E-16: Identifying the Radial Gradient swatch FIGURE E-17: Positioning the Gradient tool

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

Applying a Radial Gradient Gradient Annotator Whenever you select an object with a gradient fill and then click the Gradient tool, the gradient annotator appears on the object itself Shows the length and angle of the gradient FIGURE E-20: The gradient annotator

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 Transparency panel also includes a menu of blending modes

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

Creating Text on a Path Type on a Path tool Character panel: Used to position type on curved paths, straight paths, and objects Center bracket appears on the path that can be dragged Character panel: Used to format text

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

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

Summary 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