Adding a gradient to a file imported into AI

Duplicate post, please continue here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/applying-a-gradient-to-an-object/m-p/13169037#M334425

I agee, it can be frustrating when learning a new application. Hang in there. You will get the hang of it after awhile.

Bill Silbert may have guessed the issue -- that you are working with a bitmap. 

If you are working with a bitmap, here are a few suggestions.

You can draw a separate shape in Illustrator, put it on topof the bitmap, and fill it with a gradient. Another option would be to use the Image Trace command to trace your bitmap and convert it to vector. Once converted to vector, you will be able to fill discrete areas with a gradient. However, depending on your original bitmap, you may not be happy with the results of image trace.

Again, if you are importing a bitmap to Illustrator, you will find it easier to add a gradient in Photoshop BEFORE placing it into Illustrator.

If you're talking about bringing in a file from Photoshop such as a tiff, jpeg, png or psd then please understand that those files are raster files. That means that they are pixel based and resolution dependent and that aside from changing their size and opacity they cannot be edited in Illustrator which is essentially a vector program. Vector art can be used at any size without any issues of resolution and can be fully edited in Illusutrator. Pdfs brought in from Acrobat (except those that are entirely made up of an image) will be essentially vector and can be edited. You can tell if the file you're bringing in is raster or vector by going through View Menu>Outline. If all you see in that mode is an empty box where the image should be then the file is raster. If you see outlines of the art then the file is vector and can be edited. Complaining about the program because you don't know how to use it doesn't seem like a real productive way to learn what you need to know.