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2 Select the group using the selection tool, or target it in the Layers palette.
3 In the Transparency palette, select Knockout Group.
4 Among the grouped objects, select the one that you want to reshape according to its
opacity.
5 In the Transparency palette, select Opacity & Mask Define Knockout Shape.
About gradients, meshes, and blends
Depending on the effect you want, you can use different methods to apply blends or color
gradients to objects.
To apply a graduated blend of colors as you would apply any other color, create a gradient
fill using the Gradient palette or the gradient tool. Applying a gradient in this way does not
transform the object. Creating a gradient fill is a good way to create a smooth color
gradation across one or more objects.
In contrast, the mesh tool transforms a path object (or a bitmap image) into a single,
multicolored object. Once an object is transformed into a mesh, you can create smooth
shifts in color and precisely adjust and manipulate the color by moving and adjusting the
mesh lines. The mesh tool provides the most precise method for shifting colors within a
single object.
You can create blends of colors, opacities, and shapes between objects using the Blend
command or the blend tool. You can select the beginning and ending shapes, opacities,
and colors, and have Illustrator create the intermediate steps to create the final blend.
Working with gradient fills
A gradient fill is a graduated blend between two or more colors or tints of the same color.
Gradient colors can be assigned as CMYK process color, RGB process color, or a spot color.
When a gradient is printed or separated, mixed-mode gradient colors are all converted to
CMYK process color. (See
page 337.)
Creating gradient fills
You use the Gradient palette to create your own gradients and—in combination with the
Color palette and Swatches palette—to modify existing gradients. You can also add inter-
mediate colors to a gradient to create a fill defined by multiple blends among colors.
To create a gradient:
1 Select an object with a selection tool, and click the Fill box in the toolbox to select the
object's fill.
2 To apply a gradient, do one of the following:
Choose Window > Gradient, and click the Gradient Fill box at the upper left of the
•
Gradient palette. (If the Gradient Fill box is not displayed, choose Show Options from
the pop-up menu in the Gradient palette.)
Click the Gradient button in the toolbox.
•
Click a gradient swatch in the Swatches palette. To see only gradients in the palette,
•
click the Show Gradient Swatches button .
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