Datasheet

Adobe Illustrator CS4—What’s New 3
Transparency in gradients
Create a gradient of many colors and dene the opacity of any or all individual colors
assigned to your color stops. Transparency within a gradient simplies creating interaction
between layers and enables easy mixing and knockouts. Use transparency to create cover-up
fades or to reveal underlying objects or images. For example, make a rainbow gradient on
one object, and then simply set the blue gradient slider or color stop to 0% opacity level to
show what’s underneath.
You can even apply multiple lls to a single object, such as a pattern ll overlaid
with transparent gradients, to create highlights and shadows that simulate the
fabric of a draped garment. In the Appearances panel, simply apply additional
lls and then use the Gradient tool to dene opacities. And change the shape of
that object as much as you want—all of your lls will follow along.
Transparency in gradients also enhances work between Illustrator and other
Creative Suite 4 components in which transparency and gradients behave in
a similar fashion, such as Adobe Photoshop® CS4 Extended, Adobe Flash® CS4
Professional, and Adobe Fireworks® CS4 soware.
Gradients exposed
On-object interaction plus new elliptical gradients exposes the power of
gradients in Illustrator CS4. e new controls enable fast adjustment with
minimum interruption of your train of thought—no need to shi your attention
to the Gradient panel.
Work with gradients right on your object with immediate visual feedback. Color
sliders and swatches appear on your selected object, with gradient stops that you
can drag along the gradient bar. You can add and delete gradient stops and set
the angle and position of the gradient by clicking directly on the controls.
Radial gradients are enhanced with the new ability to set dimensions
independently, to create an elliptical gradient of any proportion.
TheGradientpanel
now has an opacity
slider you can use
with any of the
gradient stops. You
can also set the angle
of your gradient with
a slider and dene
the dimension of a
radial gradient to get
an ellipse.
Gradientcontrolsonyourobjectprovideinstant
visualfeedbacklikeneverbefore.Theprecisionof
classic Illustrator gradient controls is preserved, while
new controls provide more uid, visual interaction.