Gradient banning
Hall4539 (8 points) | Thu, 2007-02-01 21:39What can be done to reduce banning (the many steps) in a simple gradient of 2 colors like PMS Cyan and PMS Blue 293? Currently, it looks like I have about 6 steps between my 2 colors.
Mary W. Hall
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
Banding can be caused by many factors, especially when using spot colors. But are you asking about banding on-screen or in print?
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group
I'm using Illustrator CS2 and the banding is seen on screen and on print. Just wondering how to lessen the banding.
Mary W. Hall
Depending on the app, there are some things you can do.
-----------
Visit The Graphic Mac for graphics and Mac OS tips, reviews, tutorials and discussion.
How long is it?
It's about 10-15 steps.
Mary W. Hall
Adding some noise on the gradient (create a new layer so you can fix it to taste and to match your printer output the best) can disturb the pattern enough so the banding goes away.
----
"The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling
is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side." - James Baldwin
----
Dirt and Rust
How do you add noise in Illustrator?
Mary W. Hall
Add noise to the gradient on a new layer to break up the banding.
You don't need much at all and it's incredibly effective.
www.jamnittygritty.com
Add Noise works in photoshop. Can you export your gradient to PS, add noise and then use that? How is your file set up?
----
Natobasso
----
Dirt and Rust
I notice you're mixing CMYK and a PMS spot color in the same function. This could be confusing Illustrator because of the way it calculates the number of blends to use between two colors. You could change your Cyan to the closest PMS spot, say 313 or so, or go the other way and convert the spot color to process, depending on where you're taking this project.
Mara
ps: It seems to me that there used to be an easy a way to force the number of steps in a gradient in Illustrator. Is that gone now?
Mara
You can force the number of steps by double clicking the gradient tool for its options while the gradient itself is selected.
----
Natobasso
----
Dirt and Rust
Are you thinking of the Blend tool?
Mara
Same thing. ;)
----
Natobasso
----
Dirt and Rust
Not in my Illustrator!
Mara
She asked about a gradient.
More on blends and gradients here:
http://www.webreference.com/graphics/column28/3.html
----
Natobasso
----
Dirt and Rust
sorry for the duplicates - having trouble posting
Mara
x
Mara
See, I don't get that dialog box when I double-click on my Gradient tool; that only works with the Blend tool.
Bowing to your greater coolness in all things, sir! (And only half-kidding when I say so!)
Mara