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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Creating and Formatting Text
FIGURE E-5: Character panel

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

11. 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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. Creating Drop Shadows
FIGURE E-12: Positioning the text

17. 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

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

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

20. 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

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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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

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

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