Why can't I color a gradient mesh from my swatch pallet

[roncurington]

I using the Gradient mesh tool and I;m tying to add color to the mesh points from the swatch pallet but nothing happens. If I use thee eye dropper and sample from the image it works fine. What's the deal does the swatch pallet not work with the mesh tool?

[Monika Gause]

Please show a screenshot that includes your swatches panel.

[roncurington]

This is the image with the mesh object and the swatch pallet open. These are colors sampled from the image.

[edgrimley]

You have stroke selected for the object in the main tool panel. Set it to fill.

[roncurington]

well I thought that was it, or at least it seemed to fix it. But I started a new one and again it wont take a color from anywhere this time. Even the eye dropper won't do it.

This is really frustrating. All the other software I use, Iv'e been using it for so long I know all the things that can cause a hiccup. I just haven't worked with Illustrator enough for all that stuff to be automatic for me.

[Monika Gause]

What does this screenshot show? Is there a mesh in it? Where?

[roncurington]

Sorry about that

[Monika Gause]

You're in outline view.

Maybe switch in Preview mode to see the colors?

[roncurington]

Well I had hoped i had seen the last of the issues I'm having using the gradient mesh tool but here I am yet again..

I am again unable to color the mesh. I'm unable to select any anchor points. either in Outline mode or preview mode. The frustrating thing is that I've been working with this for an hour this morning already . what has changed? The part shown here is me trying to recreate an object that has disappeared on me. Specifically the object I already had an hour invested in..

I've tried it from both Preview mode and Outline mode. I keep going back to the layers panel because it keeps changing layers on me. acts like i'm hitting shortcut keys while I'm working. In any event I'm unable to select any points much less add color.

Any thoughts?

I was going to try to put up a video but couldn't get that to work. I guess the interface only supports approved video hosting sites. I uploaded it to one of my sites and couldn't get the upload interface to give me an active upload option.

[roncurington]

Screenshot...

[jane-e]

Try the Direct Selection tool.

Deselect first, then select one or more anchor points, or click in a region between anchor points.

Then apply a color.

[Monika Gause]

roncurington  schrieb

I was going to try to put up a video but couldn't get that to work. I guess the interface only supports approved video hosting sites. I uploaded it to one of my sites and couldn't get the upload interface to give me an active upload option.

Upload your video to youtube, Dropbox or the like and post a link here.

Also: have you read the documentation?

Create and edit mesh objects in Illustrator

[roncurington]

UK, well that didn't work. at least Dropbox didn'thttp://us_ts.com/video/mesh1.mp4

How about this...Hmm... the insert link seems not to work either .

httphttp://us-ts.com/videos/mesh1.mp4

If that works I;ll make a better version with better detail and hopefull sound.

[Monika Gause]

In that video you have the selection tool. You need to work with the direct selection tool.

How to work with tools in Illustrator

Gradient mesh is advanced stuff. If you don't feel confident with the basic tools then you should maybe pratice that first.

[roncurington]

It is the direct selection tool Keyboard shortcut "a" the white arrow. I see what you're talking about though. the arrow turns black at times depending on what it's  positioned over. You can see which tool is selected in the toolbar. It's the White / Direct Selection tool. Not the Selection tool.

I really need to get my sound / microphone working so I can narrate these videos and direct the observers attention. I'll keep working on it. It's only that getting to the connections means climbing behind furniture and hanging upside down with a flashlight.

[Monika Gause]

Direct selection tool would be that one:

Please read the link I posted.