Chapter 2
Creating Text and Gradients

Objectives
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Create and format text
Flow text into an object
Position text on a path
Create colors and gradients
Apply colors and gradients to text
Adjust a gradient and create a drop shadow
Apply gradients to strokes

Create and Format Text
To create type:
• Select the Type tool
• Click the artboard and start typing or click and drag the Type tool to create a text box.

Create and Format Text
• Use the Vertical Type tool to create vertical type. • Type is positioned on a path called the baseline. Create and Format Text
• The Character and Paragraph panels contain all classic commands for formatting.
• The Character panel modifies text attributes such as font and type size, tracking, and kerning. Create and Format Text
Font family

Font style

Leading

Font size
Tracking

Kerning
Horizontal
Scale

Vertical
Scale

Baseline shif

Underline

Character
Rotation
Strikethrough

Create and Format Text
• Tracking inserts uniform spaces between characters. • Kerning affects the spaces between any two characters. Create and Format Text

Examples of kerning and tracking

Create and Format Text
• Leading inserts vertical space between baselines. • Applying a horizontal or vertical scale compresses or expands selected type.

Create and Format Text
Baseline

Leading

50% horizontal scale © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning
50 % vertical scale Examples of text formatting

Create and Format Text
Align buttons
Left indent text box
Right indent text box

First-line left indent text box

Space after paragraph

Space before paragraph Paragraph panel modifies text alignment, paragraph indents, and vertical spaces

Create and Format Text
• Hide objects while working with text to avoid accidental deletions and modifications.
• The Hide/Show All Selection commands are on the Object menu.

Create and Format Text
Fill an object with text:
• Use the Area Type tool and Vertical Area Type tool to flow text into any shape you create.
• Format text in object as usual.
• Manipulate object just like any other.

Flow Text into an Object

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning

Flow Text into an Object
Using the Path Type Tools:
• Type along a straight or curved path using the
Type on a Path tool or Vertical Type on a Path tool. • Move text along path.

Flow Text into an Object
• ‘Flip’ text to make it run in the opposite direction – on opposite side of path.
• Change the baseline shif to modify distance the text’s baseline is above or below path.

Position Text on a Path

Text on a path

Text flipped across a path

Create Colors and Gradients
• A gradient is a graduated blend between colors. • Create and adjust gradients in the Gradient panel. Create Colors and Gradients
Type list arrow
Two color gradient Rotation text box
Gradient slider

Stops

Opacity text box

Location text box

Create Colors and Gradients
The Gradient panel
• Gradient slider represents the gradient being created. • Gradients contain at least two colors.
– Lefmost color is the starting color.
– Rightmost color is the ending color.

Create Colors and Gradients
• House-shaped icons called stops represent the colors in the gradient.
• The point at which two colors meet in equal measure is called the midpoint.
• The midpoint is represented by the diamond above the slider, which is called the Gradient
Slider.

Create Colors and Gradients
• The midpoint need not be positioned evenly between start and end.
• Change the look of the gradient by moving
Gradient Slider.
• Swatches panel contains standard gradients that come with Illustrator.

Create Colors and Gradients

Linear gradient

Radial gradient
You can create and apply linear or radial gradients

Create Colors and Gradients
Linear gradients can be positioned:
• Lef to right and up or down
• On any angle – change angle in Angle text box on Gradient panel
Radial gradient start at center of gradient and blend out to ending color.

Create Colors and Gradients
• The Color