Allow to reposition both ends of Gradient Annotator, similar to the iPad version
Please make the interactive Gradient Tool’s annotator work as in the iPad version, where both end nodes behave similarly.
On the desktop version, when one end is dragged, it moves the whole gradient around.
On the iPad, both ends can be moved independently.
It makes the tool counter intuitive!
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Bobby Henderson
commented
I imagine some people may like the Gradient Annotator in Adobe Illustrator. I've always found it frustrating to use on linear gradient fills. The length and rotation is controlled at one end and the position is controlled at the other end. Sometimes I'll want to move the annotator to a new position on an object and the annotator will jump to a different position.
It would be so much easier if we could just manually move both ends of the Gradient Annotator to the desired positions we want for a linear gradient fill. Each end of the Gradient Annotator should be able to snap to the edges or anchor points of the source object, other objects and snap to guidelines.
At least a couple or more rival vector graphics applications have Gradient Annotators that operate like I suggest. CorelDRAW and Affinity Designer are two examples. You can move either end of the annotator to the desired position on or across the object. Either end of the annotator can be snapped to object edges, anchor points or guidelines. This approach can allow people to use the same gradient size, angle and position settings across multiple objects to build more complex, interesting artwork.
I have fewer complaints about Illustrator's radial fill Gradient Annotator. But I would like the inside end of the annotator to be able to snap back to the center of the overall gradient. If I move the inside end of the annotator it is very tricky to get it returned back to its zero position. Still, the annotator would be easier to use if both ends could be manually moved.
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Ryan Brown commented
The gradient tool interface is starting to feel cumbersome and unintuitive compared to gradient tools in other design software such as Figma. In Figma you set a gradient on an element and can move either point of linear gradient axes freely.
In Illustrator, in order to rotate the gradient you have to essentially guess which axis point is the rotatable and then rotate around that axis, which Illustrator may or may not snap back, or you have to completely redraw your gradient axis.
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This problem is highly illustrated with examples from this report: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/36623800-gradient-tool-issues
That original problem is not exactly about bad UX, but the name of the report suggested broader comments, so there you have it.
You can surely upvote both, about I recommend adding votes under this newer one instead, since it’s a request and not a report, and is more specific.
