{"id":6564,"date":"2019-08-30T12:51:41","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T11:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/designbro.com\/blog\/?p=6564"},"modified":"2019-08-30T12:51:41","modified_gmt":"2019-08-30T11:51:41","slug":"how-to-use-the-gradient-mesh-tool-in-adobe-illustrator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/designbro.com\/blog\/guides\/how-to-use-the-gradient-mesh-tool-in-adobe-illustrator\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use the Gradient Mesh Tool in Adobe Illustrator"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are new to graphic design, you may be wondering what the <\/span>Gradient <\/b>Mesh Tool<\/b> does on <\/span>Adobe Illustrator<\/span>. To be frank,\u00a0 even if you\u2019ve been in the industry for a while, you could also be asking the same question. This is because the <\/span>Gradient <\/b>Mesh Tool <\/b>is considered to be a relatively new function in the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

But don\u2019t you worry, we are here to cover all the things you need to know about this <\/span>design<\/span> tool <\/span>and how it works.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Firstly, the <\/span>Gradient Mesh Tool<\/b> allows for a flexible and detailed application of <\/span>color<\/span> to your <\/span>design<\/span>. What it does is that it creates a grid inside a specific <\/span>object<\/span> in your design, and within this grid, you may choose to apply color to the different grid <\/span>points<\/span>. Once applied,\u00a0 the colors between each grid point blend into each with a feather effect. So essentially, the tool helps with shading and blending different colors, hence why it has the word \u2018gradient\u2019 as a part of its name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Order Logo Design<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

By <\/span>using<\/span> this tool, you will be able to enhance the colors in your design, personalizing it even more and transforming it into something that is even more unique. It will add more depth to your image, making it appear less flat. Furthermore, it can also make your overall design appear more realistic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we dive into the step-by-step <\/span>tutorial <\/span>of the amazing <\/span>Gradient Mesh Tool<\/b>, it is good to note that this function can be found on Adobe Illustrator CS5, CS6, and CC. However, as the CS5 version is considered to be out-dated, it is best recommended to use either the CS6 or CC version of the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this guide, we will be instructing you on how you can <\/span>create<\/span> a graphic design using the <\/span>Gradient Mesh Tool <\/b>on the CS6 and CC versions. As the two versions are very similar to one another, the steps within this tutorial can be applied to both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to<\/b> Use the Gradient Mesh Tool: The Step-by-Step Ultimate Guide<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Step 1: Select the object<\/b><\/p>\n

The first thing you\u2019re going to want to do is to select the object that you want to <\/span>use<\/span> for your design. You may do this by either creating a shape with the shape tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

After that, you need to move your cursor over to the top of the screen to <\/span>\u2018Object\u2019<\/b> and then <\/span>click <\/span>on \u2018<\/span>Create Gradient Mesh<\/b>\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Create<\/p>\n

Step 2: Set the number of rows and columns<\/b><\/p>\n

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Next, you will have to set the number of rows and columns you want within the object. If you want to see what the grid would look like with the specific numbers you have chosen, make sure that the <\/span>\u2018Preview\u2019<\/b> option is checked. Once that\u2019s done, click \u2018<\/span>OK\u2019<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Set<\/b>
\n\"Set<\/p>\n

Step 3: Adjust the contour of grid lines<\/b><\/p>\n

At every end and intersection of the grid lines, you will see that the grid has anchor points. Click on the <\/span>\u2018Direct Selection Tool\u2019<\/b> and select any of the anchor points.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adjust<\/p>\n

Once you do that, the Connector Points with Bezier handles will appear. This will allow you to adjust the contour of the grid lines in any way that you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Step 4: Adding color to the object<\/b><\/p>\n

To add colors to your object, you have to select the <\/span>\u2018Gradient Mesh Tool\u2019<\/b>. Do make sure that the <\/span>\u2018Fill\u2019<\/b> function is active.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have checked that, click on any of the grid points within the object. Then, pick any color that you may want to use from the \u2018Swatches Panel\u2019. To add more colors to the object, you can continue selecting different grid points and apply different colors to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, one thing that you must remember is that you should be careful not to click on a path where there is no grid point. Doing this will instead create another grid line to your object. If that is not what you want, avoid doing this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another factor that you should keep in mind that the <\/span>Gradient Mesh Tool<\/b> only allows you to select one grid point at a time. Therefore, if you want to apply the same color to multiple grid points, you should use the <\/span>\u2018Direct Selection Tool\u2019<\/b> instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adding<\/p>\n

\"DirectWhen using this tool, you hold down the <\/span>\u2018Shift<\/b>\u2019 key after clicking the first grid point. Doing this will allow you to select additional grid points that you want to apply the color to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"hold<\/p>\n

After adding in the first color, you may continue selecting different grid points to add other shades or colors. As you can see in the example below, darker shades of indigo are being added to the outer edges of this circular shape. Doing this helps add more depth to the object, creating more of a 3-dimensional feel to it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adding<\/p>\n

5) Adjusting the shape of your object<\/b><\/p>\n

Moreover, if you click and drag any of the grid points, the object\u2019s shape will begin to change accordingly. Therefore, depending on the specific shape that you desire for your design, you may adjust the grid points in any way that best suits you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adjusting<\/p>\n

\"AdjustingFor a full video tutorial of how to <\/span>use<\/span> the <\/span>Gradient Mesh Tool<\/b>, feel free to check out the screen recording below:<\/span><\/p>\n