You
can use the Gradient panel (Window > Gradient) or the
Gradient tool to apply, create, and modify gradients.
Gradient colors are defined by a series of stops along the gradient
slider. A stop marks the point at which a gradient
changes from one color to the next, and is identified by a square
below the gradient slider. The squares display the color currently
assigned to each gradient stop. With a radial gradient, the leftmost gradient
stop defines the center point’s color fill, which radiates
outward to the color of the rightmost gradient stop.
Using the options in the Gradient panel or with the Gradient
tool, you can specify the number and location of stops, angle in
which the colors display, aspect ratio of an elliptical gradient,
and the opacity of each color.
Gradient panel
In the Gradient panel,
the Gradient Fill box displays the current gradient colors and gradient
type. When you click the Gradient Fill box, the selected object
is filled with the gradient. Directly to the right of this box is
the Gradient menu that lists all the default and presaved gradients
from which you can choose. At the bottom of the list is a Save Gradient
button 
that
you can click to save the current gradient settings as a swatch.
By
default, the panel includes a start and end color box, but you can
add more color boxes by clicking anywhere along the gradient slider.
Double-clicking a gradient stop opens the gradient stop color panel
where you can choose a color from the Color panel or Swatches panel.
It’s
helpful to show all options when working with the panel (choose
Show Options from the panel menu).
Gradient panel
- A.
- Gradient Fill box
- B.
- Gradient
menu
- C.
- Reverse colors
- D.
- Midpoints
- E.
- Color
stop
- F.
- Opacity
- G
- Panel menu
- H.
- Delete
stop
Gradient tool
You use the Gradient tool
to add or edit gradients. When you click the Gradient tool in an
unselected, nongradient filled object it fills the object with the
last used gradient. The Gradient tool also provides most of the
same features as the Gradient panel. When you select a gradient
filled object and select the Gradient tool, a gradient annotator
appears in the object. You can use the gradient annotator to modify
the angle, location, and spread of a linear gradient or the focal
point, origin, and spread of a radial gradient. If you position
the tool directly over the gradient annotator, it becomes a slider
(same as in the Gradient panel) with gradient stops and location
indicators. You can click the gradient annotator to add new gradient
stops, double-click individual gradient stops to specify new colors
and opacity settings, or drag gradient stops to new locations.
When
you position the pointer over the gradient annotator and the rotation cursor
appears 
you
can drag to reposition the angle of the gradient. Dragging the circular
end of the gradient slider repositions the origin of the gradient,
and dragging the arrow end increases or decreases the range of the
gradient.
To hide or show the gradient annotator, choose View
> Hide Gradient Annotator or View > Show Gradient Annotator.
Double-clicking a gradient stop on the gradient annotator
in the object opens a color options dialog box for the gradient.
