Applying a gradient to a stroke in Illustrator

It's very simple and easy

step 1: Draw the path.

step 2: Ensure that the stroke color in tools panel is activated. ( press X to change between stroke and fill )

step3: press ctrl+F9 to open gradient panel

step 4: Select your gradient type and options. ( you can also use a gradient color in your color swatches. )

IMPORTANT: If you apply a gradient to a stroke in Illustrator and save document as eps file extension, corel X6 can't read this correctly.

David, Steve, others,

The (only) way I can get it to work (in 10) is to:

1) Appearance flyout>Add New Fill,

2) Effect>Path>Offset Path (or some other way),

3) Drag the (new) Fill with the Offset Path down below Path,

4) Apply gradient.

See other thread.

Strangely it's the Offset Path effect that gets you there (sort of but the gradient still doesn't follow the path).

Outline Stroke only works after it has been expanded and even then the gradient doesn't follow the path.

The only way I can get a "gradient" to follow a path is to make an art brush out of an expanded gradient from which the clipping mask has been removed (in fact a blend). Illie doesn't allow you to make a brush out of a gradient or a masked object, at least not in CS3. Dunno if anything's been done to improve matters in CS5.

So what is the use of Effect>Path>Outline Stroke...

The utility of some Effects is realized when used in combination with others. (Illustrator's interface, of course, is hideously confused, so such things are not readily apparent.)

JET

David,

I am using Effect>Path>Outline Stroke and I cannot get the path stroke added with gradient until I found this Object>Path>Outline Stroke? So what is the use of Effect>Path>Outline Stroke since it cannot accomplish the task?

I am afraid Teri would have to answer that one. Unfortunately, she has been away for more than half a year now.

A shortcoming of Illustrator that it does not enable he use to apply a gradient to a stroke or allow a gradient to follow a path, long time feature request which is overdue.