Quick Tip: Create a Conical Gradient with Adobe Illustrator, in Two Minutes!
Tutorial Details
- Program: Adobe Illustrator CS3
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Estimated Completion Time: 2 mins
Final Product What You'll Be Creating
Unfortunately, Adobe Illustrator doesn’t come with a conical gradient setting, although some vector programs, such as Corel Draw do. Using features and tools found in Adobe Illustrator, you can create an adjustable conical gradient to use in your work, and it only takes two minutes!
Introduction
Adobe Illustrator contains two styles of gradients: Linear and Radial. Starting with Adobe Illustrator CS4 we have an opportunity to modify the radial gradient into an Elliptical one. Unfortunately, Adobe Illustrator does not contain a Conical gradient, so far, although some vector graphics editors such as Corel Draw do.
Step 1
Using the features and tools found in Adobe Illustrator we will be able to create an adjustable conical gradient. To begin, create a rectangle of any size using the Rectangle Tool (M) and fill it with a multicolor linear gradient. Color banding on the gradient should be vertical, that is why the angle of the gradient should equal to zero.
Since we are creating a conical gradient, the first color of the gradient should be the same as the last one.
Step 2
Create a circle of a random size using the Ellipse Tool (L) and fill it with a two-color radial gradient.
With the circle selected go to Object > Expand and set the Expand Gradient to Gradient Mesh.
Step 3
As a result of these actions, we now have a group consisting of two objects — the Clipping Path and Mesh.
Select the sublayer containing the Clipping Path in the Layers palette, and delete it.
Step 4
Now delete the inner circle of the gradient mesh. This can be done in two ways — 1. Select any point on this circle using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and press the Delete key, 2. Take the Mesh Tool (U) and click on the circle, holding down the Alt key.
Step 5
Use the Envelope Distort to create the conical gradient, first adjust the properties. Go to Object > Envelope Distort > Envelope Options. Use the settings in the image below.
The bigger the Fidelity value is, the smoother the transition between colors will be. Now select the circle and rectangle and go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Top Object. That’s it — The conical gradient is ready!
Step 6
Creating a conical gradient will take no more than 2 minutes. A conical gradient made in this way is very easy to edit, I’ll show you how. Click on the Edit Content key on the top toolbar.
Now you can control the gradient by dragging the lower gradient sliders. This has a special feature — moving the upper gradient sliders will not lead to the expected result. I will now show you how to adjust the transition between the colors.
Step 7
Our conical gradient represents a gradient mesh. In order to edit it go to Object > Expand. As a result of this action, you should now have a group consisting of two objects: the Clipping Path and the Mesh.
Select the sublayer containing the Clipping Path in the Layers palette, and delete it. As a result, you should now have a simple gradient mesh.
Step 8
To make a smooth transition between the colors you can add new lines to the mesh using the Mesh Tool (U) and Eyedropper Tool (I) to add colors from the same object.
Conclusion
With enough experience you can create a conical gradient in 1-2 minutes. By expanding your knowledge of Illustrator, you will not only be able to save time, you can come up with some nice results.
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I knew a different method to achieve this effect, but the one i used did’nt allow me to edit colors as easy as in yours…
A very powerful, creative and useful technique ! Thanks again !
shadow isnt supposed to lighten up the surface
You should multiply the shadow to darken the surface.
lol i know, i was reffering to the outcome
This is pretty amazing! Already putting it to use.
Thanks Ryan, I learned a lot from you.
on Step 5, where it says ‘Make With Top’ , I get an error saying “This requires a selection of multiple Objects. The top object must be a single path or mesh or symbol containing a single plath or mesh.”
What am i doing wrong?
my bad I got it working…I was not selecting the rectangle!
Which rectangle?
I ended up with this. Though would be nice to share.
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1456/xtap.jpg
Very nice, thanks for sharing
Wonderful! Thanks a lot! The result is fantastic and i will use it for sure
Genius…
A very interesting technique! Many thanks for sharing.
I use a technique I created by mistake many years ago in an older vector programme which I demonstrate here:
http://www.astutegraphics.com/blog/creating-a-conical-fill/
It’s much quicker, but not as flexible.
An interesting technique, although more complicated.
Really cool.
Great job!
Amazing. I followed your steps and it works – but I still don’t know how : )
Why does the envelope distortion create this effect? How did you come up with this solution?
you should put your shadow on darken of something but other than that its awesome ^^
Wow Great, but you lost in the traying to explain the last 3 step and how you created the color for the dial
First of all, thank you for sharing this solution, some people (like me) don´t like to have to admit… “oh, can´t be done in Illustrator, have to use “the other program”, which I really prefer not to have to, and this clever, powerful yet fast and easy to use solution is like gold to me, thanks again…. Just one question, after repeating the process you teach, I get almost the same results, except for a detail, my mesh ends… mmm sort of “split”, what I mean (and sorry about my English), imagine a round pie you have cut with a knife once, and haven´t taken your part yet, the pie looks as one single entire, but on the side you made your cut, points on the mesh are separated, and to manipulate them, I have always to remember selecting them in pairs to work, I repeated a few times the process, and can’t figure out what’s my mistake, I know it’s pretty basic, but I really would appreciate some light on this topic, thanks to all people
HR
I get this also. It’s like a pacman shape, or someones taken a portion of the cake. I get the effect, which is awesome, but with a slice missing. Ive tried altering the proportions of one shape relative to the other etc.
Thanks,
Will