Ability to precisely control the center of a radial gradient, its hilite angle/length
Add more options to the Gradient tool, especially the radial gradient option. The ability to move the center of the radial gradient would be very useful for cartographers making maps and having the ability to show spheres (3-D circular objects) with a source of light northwest (or any other angle) of the circular object. The attached file should better explain the desired outcome. Your competitors (CorelDraw and Canvas) have had that feature for years, yet Illustrator is more often used for making maps than the other software packages.
Kazimierz J Zaniewski
shared this idea
Hi Kazimierz,
You can modify the center of the radial gradient. Just choose the Gradient tool (G) with the objects selected (and gradient applied). Drag it across the shape. The start point comes the center of the gradient.
Does that work for you?
-Yogesh
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Henry, A paid plugin called Gradiator from Astute Graphics now allows to control the center and the length of the gradient (no controls for hilite angle and length yet, but perhaps they will add these later — or probably Ai just doesn’t allow for anything to control it).
This solves the problem of positioning gradient for me, but sure I want live snapping still... -
Henry Wilder commented
I feel there are many Illustrator tools that lack numeric input like this, which is a shame because those same tools also tend to lack snapping.
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Yogesh, I'm not sure you will get this message until certain time, but I'm glad I can still address this to you.
Yes, user can modify center of gradient. But one can does it only by dragging, with tool, by eye, and not numerically, by typing values, correcting current look by nudging digits and not mouse! I still don't understand why AI, allowing to control everything, takes away some controls.
I personally rarely use modifying center, because I can't repeat same gradient without using dragging.
I need values I can copy/paste.
