How to Use the Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator
Posted on 20th June 2023
The tool is one of the most useful tools in Adobe Illustrator. It allows you to create smooth color gradients between two or more objects. In this article, we’ll show you how to use the blend tool to create a simple gradient.
First, create two objects. For this example, we’ll use two circles. One circle should be a light color, and the other should be a dark color.
Next, select the light circle and the dark circle. Then, go to Object > Blend > Make. This will create a blend between the two objects.
Now, select the blend tool from the toolbar. Then, click on the blend and drag it to the left or right. This will change the direction of the gradient.
You can also change the settings of the blend. To do this, double-click on the blend tool. This will open the Blend Options dialog box. From here, you can change the number of steps, the orientation, and the spacing.
Once you’re happy with the settings, click OK.
That’s all there is to using the blend tool! With a little practice, you’ll be able to create complex gradients with ease.
Step # 1 – Choosing the Correct Tools
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right tools for the job. The two main tools you will need for this are the Selection Tool (V) and the Blend Tool (W).
Step # 2 – Creating Your First Shape
Start by creating a simple shape. For this example, we will use a rectangle. Once you have created your rectangle, use the Selection Tool (V) to select it.
Step # 3 – Adding a Second Shape
Now that you have your first shape selected, it’s time to add a second shape. For this example, we will add a circle. Once you have added your second shape, use the Selection Tool (V) to select both shapes.
Step # 4 – Using the Blend Tool
Now that you have both shapes selected, it’s time to use the Blend Tool (W). To do this, simply click and drag your mouse over the two shapes. This will create a blend between the two shapes.
Step # 5 – Adjusting the Settings
Once you have created your blend, you can adjust the settings to control how the blend looks. To do this, simply double-click on the Blend Tool (W) in the Toolbox. This will open the Blend Options dialog box.
In the dialog box, you can control the number of steps, the spacing, and the orientation of the blend. Play around with the settings until you get the look you want.
Step # 6 – Adding a Third Shape
You can also use the Blend Tool (W) to blend more than two shapes. To do this, simply select the two shapes you want to blend and then click and drag your mouse over the third shape. This will create a blend between all three shapes.
Step # 7 – Creating a Gradient Blend
You can also use the Blend Tool (W) to create a gradient blend. To do this, simply select two shapes of different colors and then click and drag your mouse over the third shape. This will create a gradient blend between the two colors.
Step # 8 – Creating a Pattern Blend
You can also use the Blend Tool (W) to create a pattern blend. To do this, simply select two shapes that have a pattern fill and then click and drag your mouse over the third shape. This will create a pattern blend between the two shapes.
Step # 9 – Finishing Up
Once you have created your blend, you can use the Selection Tool (V) to move, rotate, or scale the blend. You can also use the Pen Tool (P) to add anchor points to the blend. This can be useful if you want to create a more complex blend.
And that’s how you use the Blend Tool (W) in Adobe Illustrator!
To use the Blend Tool, select the object you want to blend, and click on the Blend Tool in the toolbar. Then, click on the object you want to blend with. To change the number of steps in the blend, go to Object > Blend > Specify Steps. You can also change the mode of the blend by going to Object > Blend > Blend Options.
The blend tool is a powerful tool that can create some interesting effects. Try experimenting with different settings to see what you can come up with.
Assuming you have an object selected, and the Blend Tool selected, position your cursor over the endpoint of one of the selected object’s strokes. Then, click and drag your cursor along the endpoint. As you drag your cursor, you’ll see a preview of the blended object. When you release your mouse, the blend object will be created.
To change the number of steps in a blend, simply double-click on the blend object. This will open the Blend Options window. From here, you can change the number of steps, specify how the objects are blended, and whether or not to expand the blend.
The number of steps in a blend determines how many intermediate objects are created between the two selected objects. The more steps, the smoother the blend.
The Specify Steps option in the Blend Options window lets you choose an exact number of steps. The Smooth Color option creates a blend that fades between the colors of the two selected objects. The Specify Distance option lets you choose the distance between the steps in the blend.
The Expand Blend option creates a new object for each step in the blend. This is useful if you want to further edit the individual objects in the blend.
To delete a blend, simply select the blend object and press the delete key.
In Adobe Illustrator, the Blend Tool can be used to create a variety of different effects. You can use it to create a gradient between two objects, or to create a series of objects that transition smoothly from one shape to another.
To use the Blend Tool, first select the two objects that you want to blend. Then, click on the Blend Tool in the toolbar, or press W on your keyboard.
Click on the first object, and then click on the second object. A line will appear between the two objects.
You can then adjust the settings for the blend. The default settings are usually fine, but you can experiment with the different options to see what looks best.
Once you’re happy with the settings, click on the Blend button in the toolbar, or press Enter on your keyboard.