Creating Gradients With Transparent Colors

[the_cynic]

I've been using Adobe Illustrator for about 3-4 months now and there's one thing I still can't figure out. How can you create a gradient that has two colors, one transparent in the center and the other a solid that the transparent fades out to? I first tried doing it in Illustrator using the Mesh tool but I quickly figured out that you can't do that.

* I created these example in Macromedia Flash where you can incorporate colors with 0% alpha.

[winters in buffalo]

Interesting... I tried doing the same thing the other day, but couldn't figure out how either. Anyone have a suggestion?

[nitroseed]

You mean like this?

[GMac]

an nitro wonders why no one likes him... i mean her... i mean it....lol just kidding... showoff

[nitroseed]

Well, I'll gladly explain it.

What I did is created a circular shape on top of the logo on another layer. Then I did a radial gradient with black and white. Then I went to the Transparency palette, and changed the blending mode (the little drop down menu that says "Normal") to "Multiply". Voila.

[winters in buffalo]

Multiply...Bingo. Class dismissed.

Thanks, Teach!

[the_cynic]

Thanks a lot nitroseed but how do I change the position of center within the gradient?

[pagan696]

make the gradient larger than needed and mask it with a smaller circle (or shape). then position the gradient like you need, and do your transparancy.

[the_cynic]

Ahh nevermind, I found another way to do it. I'll just do what nitroseed said but this time with a Mesh.

[nitroseed]

Thanks a lot nitroseed but how do I change the position of center within the gradient?

Well, one way to do it would be to place a third color in the gradient and slide it off center in the gradient palette... if that makes sense.

[the_cynic]

Thanks a lot nitroseed but how do I change the position of center within the gradient?

Well, one way to do it would be to place a third color in the gradient and slide it off center in the gradient palette... if that makes sense.

Yeah that makes since. I figure I'll come up with my own ways of dealing with the handicaps of Illustrator. Thanks Again!

[pagan696]

Thanks a lot nitroseed but how do I change the position of center within the gradient?

what program are you using to this with now? i use others that will allow the x/y offset in percentages, but ill does not. i've found the quickest way in ill is to do the oversized gradient, then mask it and move where needed. if i feel it will stay without changes, i'll trim it so there's no stray vectors. hence, the radial gradient shape will be offset, but the larger (original masked fill) is gone.

[the_cynic]

In the past I mainly used Freehand of Flash for something like this. I used to do all my vectoring in Flash but I've transferred over to Illustrator. There's a lot of truth when people say, "once you've gone to Illustrator, you'll never go back!"