Merge and share gradient

[StrongBeaver]

I want to merge two strokes whereas one stroke has a gradient across the stroke and the other is a stroke with a single color overlapping the stroke with a gradient across the stroke.  I want the two strokes to merge and the gradient across the stroke to be shared between both strokes; if all this is possible or I must expand the stroke ?

[Monika Gause]

Please show.

[StrongBeaver]

The gradient stroke is seen (horizontal) then the brown stroke going vertical; those are the two strokes I want to merge. Have the horizontal stroke gradient to effect the vertical stroke and have the gradient work at the cross.

[Ton Frederiks]

Like this?

[StrongBeaver]

The two strokes must be merged together and the gradient follows the path.

[Monika Gause]

Apply the gradient to the top stroke and then try applying blending modes to the top stroke.

Lighten:

[StrongBeaver]

That is the result I want.  In this example one stroke had a gradient the other nothing, correct ?

I want to merge the paths to keep things clean but yet still have the effect as you've shown ?

[Monika Gause]

Both strokes have a gradient.

You can't merge them without converting to pixels. You can only group them.

[StrongBeaver]

Don't you mean you have to expand the strokes then you can merge them ?

[Monika Gause]

Please do just try it out for yourself.

[StrongBeaver]

I tried it and I didn't get the same result with the lighten blend mode ?

[Monika Gause]

Try other blend modes.

Without seeing anything it's a little tough to answer this question. And btw. If you want more exact help it might be a good idea to upload your file somewhere so people don't need to create their own, guess the colors, guess the document color mode and all in all have less work helping you.

[StrongBeaver]

I tried all the blend modes.  The image below is from a lighten blend mode and here is the file as requested.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

The gradient won't be shared automatically, you will need to apply it to the other path

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15485305/BlendPaths-mg.ai

[StrongBeaver]

Thanks.