Transparent gradient in Illustrator
In Photoshop to make one layer gradually disappear to reveal another layer is common knowledge. It is achieved by applying a gradient to the top layers' mask.
Not surprisingly you can achieve the same effect with a similar approach by applying a gradient mask to objects in Illustrator too.
Here are the three simple steps to create a gradient mask in Illustrator.
Place the two objects on top of each other. These objects do not have to be images as illustrated above, but any other type of Illustrator element. Notice that the top object is selected and the transparency panel is open. There are two boxes within the transparency panel. The left one represents the object itself. On the right another box represents its mask, which is currently empty.
Double click inside the empty square to create a mask. Once the square of the mask turns black the object will disappear as the object is now fully masked out. Note that the mask square is selected, which means you are working on the mask.
Open the gradient palette and create a gradient from black to white. Now, while the mask square is still selected draw a rectangle over the top object, which is at this moment still hidden. As soon as you release the mouse button the top object masked with the gradient will appear. Now you can adjust the size and shape of your mask to complete the effect.
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Transparent Color Needed in AI
I find the 'Opacity Mask' clunky. Why can't Adobe just build in a color swatch that is 'Transparent' or allow us to just create a swatch that is transparent. Then we can blend from any color to transparent without having to use their inane masking methods to pull it off.
You can do this in Photoshop, you can do it in Flash which they own now so why not integrate it into Illustrator?
Von
Illustrative Designer
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Fully agree.
Fully agree.
Illustrator Transparency
I am also perplexed why Adobe has not created a transparency swatch in Illustrators blend options. I have been waiting since 88.
I use feathered objects and masks to generate quick graduated blends in Illustrator. More complex graduations I generate as layered PSDs.
James
If they integrate AI and AP
If they integrate AI and AP too much they will become one program. Gasp! Can't have that. :)
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Powerpoint is not a design application
Add multiple gradient
Adding an other gradient from black to white with multiply allow to make multiple fade.
Nothing beat Freehand MX's
Nothing beat Freehand MX's gradiant mask. Thanks for the tip in Ill.
"When I grow up, I want to be a little boy." Joseph Heller
Simple reason?
Given that this is easily done in Flash and Photoshop but not Illustrator and InDesign has me completely baffled. I thought it might be an "encapsulated postscript language" thing, but that wouldn't explain InDesign. Perhaps it's the "flattened transparency" thing??? There must be a simple reason.
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Not in CS3?
I thought for sure this would be something updated in Illustrator CS3 (a transparent swatch) . Kinda bummed that it's not so, but the rest of the goodies should make up for it.
George Coghill • Cartoon Illustration
www.coghillcartooning.com
I use Xara for things like
I use Xara for things like this. You just select your object and click on transparency and drag. That is all. I can not understand why Adobe does not simplify their programs.
I've been so angry that i
I've been so angry that i couldn't do this in illustrator. THANK YOU.
life is great; without it, you'd be dead.
white to transparent mask
Hold on this one (u might have to read it twice to get the picture...)
ever tried to made an irregular concentred radial white to transparent mask in ill. cs3 (or any other version)? thus a mask that can be scaled without loss and that can be use in cmyk fullcolor seperation processes (press) ???
I tried but I failed. (yet ;)
I have found a workarround though, importing my ill. shape into photoshop, selecting "color" white with colorrange, setting tolerance to 160,
then changed mode to grayscale and made the image a monotone with color white a its monotone.
then changed mode back to grayscale and saved the image as a tiff with transparency on.
Sad enough Illustrator cannot handle this tiff (not tecognizable format !!!) Indesign however places the tiff fine.
Working this way I am limited because I do have to work with the final sizeformat of prining (press) in mind. (300 dpi)
I cannot include the shape (wich is part of the brandmarking) in my customers corporate identity charter with guidelines. I'd rather like to have an illustrator eps wich is scaleable and thus suitable for any corporate communication production for press or screenprinting
true dilemma..
send me a pm for the artwork if you want to dig this out with me
greatings
Linkaran
btw great website!!!!