Expert: Amy - 4/14/2004

Question
Mac - Illustrator 10 - Can you set a gradient from color to transparent in illustrator? I know you can in Photoshop. I'm trying to get a spot color separation that goes from color to no color.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Jim!

Yes, you can do that.

If you can't achieve the effect you want with your gradient simply by overprinting, that is. When you fill a shape with a 100% spot to 0% spot gradient, select it and check "Overprint Fill" in the Attributes Window, it will work like a transparency because the white knocks out and the spot color overprints.  You have to be in View > Overprint Preview mode to see the results. But I haven't seen your design - this might not work for you.

So I will assume you do not want to work with overprinting the Spot Color, but you should know that the following effect involves transparency, which is incompatible with some RIP software.

Here's how you do it without overprinting, example given is a simple shape but this will work with any object.

1. Create two identical rectangles.
2. Fill one with your Spot Color - Solid.
  Fill the other with a 0% to 100% black gradient (white to black).
3. Select Window > Show Attributes
4. Select both rectangles and make sure that Overprint Fill is NOT checked in the Attributes window.
5. Position/align the rectangles so that the gradient rectangle is directly in front of the spot color rectangle, essentially blocking it out.
6. Select both rectangles.
7. Select Window > Show Transparency
8. Choose "Make Opacity Mask" from the little flyout menu in the upper right hand corner of the Transparency Window.

That should do it! You should see the results even when not in Overprint Preview.

Good luck
Amy