Datasheet

Fill, Lines, Colours, and Transparency 161
Working with mesh fills
A mesh fill works like a gradient fill but uses a more complex fill path, with a
grid or "mesh" of many nodes representing separate key colours. The overall
effect, especially useful for multifaceted highlighting, arises from the colour
gradients that spread between each of these nodes.
As an example, the Mesh Fill Tool (applied below right) can be used to dramatic
effect on a sports car's bodywork. With the tool enabled, a mesh of editable
patches and nodes are revealed.
A mesh fill is applied to an object via the Swatch tab's Gradient gallery (see
Setting fill properties on p. 143). You can edit the mesh itself with the Mesh Fill
Tool and the accompanying context toolbar to achieve unique results. The path
lines that connect nodes in a mesh fill are actually curves, so editing the mesh is
similar to the method for Editing lines and shapes. Simple warping effects,
colour spread changes and path line curvature can all be affected. The tool lets
you reshape curved path lines by adjusting one or more nodes and their control
handles. In addition, the areas between four nodes called "mesh patches” can be
recoloured or moved individually or in multiples. As for curved lines you can
add, delete, and move one or more nodes at any time.