How can I make text have a fluid gradient stroke rather than an individual stroke around each letter?

[ikeinatl]

Hello!

I have spent so many hours wracking my brain around this. I'm trying to make a solid gradient around two words, but it keeps adding a gradient around each individual letter of the two words. I tried joining the objects to maybe make a stroke around the whole thing but it won't let me join them.

This is what I'm trying to make it look like (Done in Photoshop): https://postimg.cc/D8KrND5T

This is what it looks like : https://postimg.cc/LnBtFT0Z

I really want to figure out how to do it in Illustrator, so that the lines are smoother. It looks really choppy and awkward in Photoshop still. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you and sorry if this was long!

[meganchi]

I'm not able to see your linked image. Try selecting your text and using the appearance panel to add a gradient stroke to the words.

[chanaart]

He is asking to make it Fluid and once you use it with the appearance panel for now you have only 3 choice....

Photoshop has the ability to modify the Gradient on a stroke as a free form is the Style panel ...not illustrator.

Here are screen shots...to see the difference. Best is to use the Appearance panel and try to get the most applicable design...

[chanaart]

It is a great question! Could be a suggestion to the Illustrator

For now you can only create a gradient to a stoked type by either creating outline or Appearance panel and leave the type live.

I will post the request on the uservoice forum

Adobe Illustrator Feedback

[ikeinatl]

That would be so awesome if you could bring it up on the voice forum. I really appreciate your help!!! I guess I'll be sticking to Photoshop for this project.

[chanaart]

You can also create it as a fill like I showed you on the answer....

[ikeinatl]

I ended up switching back and forth between the two and finishing it in Photoshop because I didn't want any white showing in the background at all if that makes sense! I would have preferred doing it all in Illustrator but I don't think I had that gradient option like you said.

[chanaart]

Looking great! glad to help!!

Chana

[meganchi]

If you don't have editable text and the letters are outlined, then select the letters and make them a compound path first before assigning a gradient color.

[chanaart]

You still cannot add the fluid gradient he is looking for. You are limited to the 3 symbols on the gradient panel...

If I understand him correct he want to use the gradient tool and decide on the direction..they way you do it on a fill...You cannot do it on a Stroke

[chanaart · Accepted solution]

You can edit the gradient..by moving the gradient stops. But not with the gradient tool...

HERE IS A GOOD WAY TO WORK AROUN WITH THE APPEARANCE PANEL:

SELET THE TEXT: ADD A NEW FILL

CHANGE THE FILL COLOR TO A GRADIENT OF YOUR CHOICE.

GO TO EFFECT: PATH OFFEST PATH

CHOOSE HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO OFFSET

MOVE THE NEW FILL BELOW THE ORIGINAL FILL

YOU HAVE 2 FILLS ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER.

NOW YOU CAN USE THE GRADIENT TOOL SINCE IT IS A FILL!

HERE ARE SCREENSHOTS: