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R
restibule
Participant
February 17, 2012
Answered

How to use Gradients in InDesign

  • February 17, 2012
  • 7 replies
  • 316488 views

I just want a simple black to transparent gradient over an image.  When I use the "paper" swatch for one color (as the Adobe directions say), it just shows up as white.  I can make them just fine in both Photoshop and Illustrator, but can't make it work in InDesign.  Nor will the gradients paste properly from the other programs.

 

Other settings don't create the right effect either--blending effects and the like just make a muddy gray over the image.

 

Please help, thanks!

 

I'm using InDesign CS5.
***** Title renamed by Moderator "VS" *****

    Correct answer Rik Ramsay

    In InDesign it's a different process as noted below.

    1. Create your box as a solid color - in your case black
    2. With the box selected, go to the effects panel and from the 'fx' dropdown choose "Gradient Feather".
    3. Play with it until your hearts content.

    7 replies

    danielb94023111
    danielb94023111
    Known Participant
    October 14, 2020

    What is the fx dropdown?

    Even if i enter "fx" in to the search box it says "no results".

    Jens Trost
    Jens Trost
    Inspiring
    October 14, 2020

      Scott Citron
      Scott Citron
      Legend
      September 3, 2020

      Yes, the fact that InDesign lacks parity with many features in Illustrator or Photoshop is truly annoying. I would love to have AI gradients in ID, particularly now that Illustrator has Freeform Gradients!

      J
      johanp31044685
      Participant
      October 5, 2018

      The  fastest way to do:

      1) create a gradient shape element in Illustrator

      2) save the file as .eps

      3) drag the freshly created file in InDesign.

      I like this technic because it gives a lot of control. What if you wan to create a gradient that goes from green to yellow to transparent and finally to red. Can you do that in indesign?? It is super easy in Illustrator

      L
      Community Expert
      LaubenderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 5, 2018

      Hi,

      I would not recommend saving an EPS from Illustrator!

      Instead save as PDF/X-4 with transparency intact and no downsampling of image data.

      EPS will mean: No live transparency.

      A degradation of your original data.

      Regards,
      Uwe

        S
        seahawksean80
        Inspiring
        September 11, 2018

        Another easy solution is to use the Gradient Feather tool.  Works on raster or vector objects.

        octane7
        octane7
        Participant
        June 14, 2016

        I need a frame where the edges have a gradient to transparent, BUT the content may not have this vanishing / gradient effect.

        So only the frame and not the content.

        The content is already transparent around the image.

        The frame does have to get an edge that becomes transparent on the top side, eventually with a gradient.

        I now have done it with an image on top of a frame, or placed within.

        But I do not get it to get an object stule where only the frame edge get affected and not the image that is copied in.

        A
        abra100pro
        Participant
        June 26, 2015

        I find this ridiculous - I use both Illustrator and Photoshop for years. Although even between them it is different I still could figure out how to do it there. But no chance on InDesign. Why, Adobe, doesn't it work exactly the same in all three apps???? C'mon!

          M
          Millertymephotography
          Participant
          March 17, 2016

          Blame Quark.

            Rik Ramsay
            Rik RamsayCorrect answer
            Participating Frequently
            February 17, 2012

            In InDesign it's a different process as noted below.

            1. Create your box as a solid color - in your case black
            2. With the box selected, go to the effects panel and from the 'fx' dropdown choose "Gradient Feather".
            3. Play with it until your hearts content.
              R
              restibuleAuthor
              Participant
              February 17, 2012

              Thank you, Rik!  I had tried gradient feather, but it looks like I was mixing too many effects and that's where the muddy color was coming from.

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