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Gradients
Gradients
A gradient is a graduated blend between two or more colors or between two tints of the
same color. The output device you use affects how gradients color separate.
Gradients can include Paper, process colors, spot colors, or mixed ink colors using any
color mode. Gradients are defined by a series of color stops in the gradient bar. A stop is
the point at which a gradient changes from one color to the next, and is identified by a
color square under the gradient bar. By default, a gradient starts with two colors and a
midpoint at 50%.
Note:
When you create a gradient using colors of different modes and then print or color
separate the gradient, all colors are converted to CMYK process colors. Because of the
color mode change, colors may shift. For best results, specify gradients using CMYK colors.
To choose a color that’s already in the Swatches panel, choose Swatches, and
select a color from the list.
To mix a new unnamed color for the gradient, choose a color mode, and enter
color values or drag the sliders.
Tip: By default, the first stop of the gradient is set to white. To make it
transparent, apply the Paper swatch.
6. To change the last color in the gradient, select the last color stop, and repeat
step 5.
7. To adjust the position of gradient colors, do one of the following:
Gradient panel
Modify gradients
You can modify gradients by adding colors to create multicolor gradients, and by
adjusting color stops and midpoints. It’s a good idea to fill an object with the gradient you
plan to adjust, so that you can preview the effect on the object while you adjust the
gradient.
Note:
You can modify gradients pasted from Adobe Illustrator, provided that the gradient was
pasted using AICB (Adobe Illustrator Clipboard) format. (See Pasting Illustrator graphics
into InDesign.) To select the gradient, use the Direct Selection tool.
Note:
If you edit a color swatch, any gradient stops that use that swatch will update accordingly,
changing the gradient.
Note:
You can also drag a swatch from the Swatches panel onto the gradient bar in the
Gradient panel to define a new color stop.
Remove an intermediate color from a gradient
1. Select the intermediate color stop, and drag it to the edge of the panel.
Dragging the Gradient Feather tool across the gradient progressively softens the
colors in the gradient within the area you drag.
3. Release the mouse button at the place where you want to define the endpoint of
the gradient.
Default gradient fill (left) and gradient applied across objects (right)
Note:
If a compound path with a gradient is selected, you can edit the gradient across all of its
subpaths by using the Gradient panel alone, without having to use the Gradient tool.
A. Underlying gradient fill B. Text characters with gradient applied C. Text added, and text
shifting position relative to gradient fill
If you want to adjust a gradient so that its complete color range spans a specific range of
text characters, you have two options:
Use the Gradient tool to reset the gradient’s endpoints, so that they span only the
characters you selected when you applied the gradient.
Select the text and convert it to outlines (editable paths), and then apply a gradient to the
resulting outlines. This is the best option for a short run of display type in its own text
frame. The gradient will be permanently anchored to the outlines, not the text frame, and
the outlines will continue to flow with the rest of the text. However, the outlines will
function as a single inline graphic within the text frame, so you won’t be able to edit the
text. Also, typographic options will no longer apply; for example, text converted to
outlines will not hyphenate.
By default, type that shifts position will change relative to its gradient (left); when type is converted to
outlines, an applied gradient moves with the type (right).
For information on converting text outlines to paths, see Create paths from text outlines.