“Gradient”

A “Gradient” is a filling which consists of different colors, in which a color changes gradually into a different color. In “Flash”, we can have upto 15 color transitions applied to a “Gradient”

We have the choice between two types of courses.
You have the linear “Gradient” where the color changes along a single axis, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

Then you have the radial “Gradient” where the color changes from a central point to an outward direction. When you change the direction of a “Gradient”, the colors of a “Gradient” change and the location of the central point also changes.

Thus, as stated in the previous lesson, in “Flash CS4”, we have an additional control over linear and radial “Gradient”(s), namely, the different overflow modes.
This overflow modes, we can control how colors are applied outside the course.

 

How to make a “Gradient”

By default, “Flash” already has a number of “Gradient”(s), but we also have the opportunity to make one by yourself.
To make a “Gradient” that you want to apply to a form, first select the form and then open the “Color” window

Choose type as “Radial” or “Linear”, does not matter. In this case, I prefer “Radial”.

By default, the “Slider” blocks with the color black and white.

To add color click anywhere on an empty space under the color “Slider”. The mouse pointer will display a plus sign.

To change a color double-click a color box in the color “Slider”. This opens a color window where you can choose a color. Or else just click a color in the “System Color Picker”.

To remove a color, click and drag the color block to bottom, away from the color “Slider”.

To change the “Alpha” setting of a particular color, first select the color block under the color slider, and then type a value in the “Alpha” box.
A second way is to click the downward pointing arrow next to the “Alpha” box, and drag the “Slider” in the scroll bar up or down.

If you want to save the “Gradient” to use it later in other objects, click the arrow in the dark gray bar tab and select “Add Sample” in the drop-down menu.

 

“Gradient” change

I can imagine that you are always happy with the way “Flash” displays the “Gradient”.

Yet, to change the “Gradient”, we use the “Gradient Transform” tool.

Select the “Gradient” in the form and click the “Gradient Transform” button in the tool bar. If you do not see it, you can find it under “Free Transform”.

Depending on the type of “Gradient” you’ve chosen for the filling of your form, you have a number of “Handles” that appear when we click the “Gradient Transform” tool option.

In a linear “Gradient” we have three “Handles” that we can use to influence the “Gradient”.
By clicking and dragging with the first “Handle” (1), we move the “Gradient”.
By clicking and dragging with the second “Handle” (2), we rotate the “Gradient”.
And by clicking and dragging the third “Handle” (3), we scale the “Gradient”.
The blue lines that appear between the lines where the “Gradient” is applied will change if you use the “Handles” 1, 2 and 3.

In a radial “Gradient”, we have five “Handles” that we can influence the “Gradient” with.

The first “Handle” (4) moves the center of the “Gradient”.
The second “Handle” (5) moves the “Gradient”.
With the third “Handle” (6) we change the size of the “Gradient”.
With the fourth “Handle” (7) we change the diameter of the “Gradient”.
With the fifth “Handle” (8) we rotate the “Gradient”.

 

“Gradient” Locking

We have selected the option of a “Gradient” to bitmap or lock, so that the filling is extended over the entire working area.
In other words, when we select the “Lock Fill” mode, the “Gradient” or bitmap fills extensively about the objects you paint in the area.
Whether you paint with the “Brush” or the paint “Bucket” does not matter.

To fill a locked “Gradient” with paint, you have to select the “Brush” or the “Bucket”.
Then select the “Gradient” or bitmap image.

Select “Linear” or “Radial” as “Type” in the Color panel.

Click the option “Lock Fill” in the tool bar.                                                             

And then paint the areas where you get the middle of the fill placement and then go to the other areas.

For a locked bitmap to be painted, first select the bitmap image.

Then select the “Brush” or the “Bucket”.

Click the option “Lock Fill” in the tool bar.

And then paint the areas where you get the middle of the fill placement and then go to the other areas.

 

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