What is up with Gradient Mesh in Illustrator???

techKNOWLEDGEy · 02-08-2005, 12:41 PM

If some1 can tell me what the heck I'm doing wrong I'd really appreciate it. I learned how (or so I thought) to use the Mesh/gradient mesh tool for the first time today in Illy. It is AWESOME when it doesn't go all haywire. I was rocking some nice 3D shading and then I went to create a stem for a flower, and when I went to create Mesh, I got this Busted-ass Mesh line that I couldn't adjust right with the bezier handles.

Take a look at my steps and let me know what I need to do. Thanks!

~Digital_E.V.O~ · 02-08-2005, 11:30 PM

I don't think it's you. The mesh works nicely with circles, squares and slightly odd shapes. What you are trying to do might be better with a blend.

stefanTHOMASisaia

inkbrush · 02-09-2005, 09:17 PM

If you really want to use the gradient mesh, try breaking your flower stem up into smaller size chunks that aren't so irregularly shaped. With the mesh tools being what they are, you should be able to match up the edges of the separate pieces pretty easily.

Broacher · 02-10-2005, 09:16 AM

You could try combining a gradient mesh with a distortion mesh.

The rectangle on the right of the attached is a gradient mesh. On the left is the same object with a distortion mesh twiggled about.

~Digital_E.V.O~ · 02-10-2005, 11:57 AM

That's a real good woraround... It puts gradient meshes in a better perspective.

stefanTHOMASisaia

Broacher · 02-10-2005, 08:41 PM

The thing to remember is that gradient meshes are not REALLY true postscript objects. That goes for transparency, drop shadows etc. And grad meshes always get flattened into rasters. It's very important to remember this if you plan to use the native scalability of these vector-based objects in any app outside of AI. I've seen disastrous logos 'designed' by people who are unaware of this fact.

techKNOWLEDGEy · 02-10-2005, 09:23 PM

Thanks for the advice on the grad meshes. I'm going to try your method Broacher and 'piece' them together. I would like to use the blend tool, but I don't know enough how it works yet. I know how to blend 2 objects, but I don't know how to use it on 1 object. Know any good tutorials on that?

BTW, Broacher, what's going on with your avatar? A big gray square? I still have to make mine and upload it.

techKNOWLEDGEy · 02-10-2005, 09:25 PM

Oh, wait that was inkbrush's idea...anyhow thanks both of you.