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Illustrator: Faded dotted pattern

January 16, 2007 Leave a Comment Written by Cari Jansen

This tip succeeds the previous tip, and show cases how the dotted patterns created earlier can be faded, whilst retaining their vector and spot colours.

Spotted dots

The dotted patterns created in tip 53, can also be spot colours, by ensuring that the colour of the circular component that forms part of the pattern is filled with a spot colour.

spot pattern screenshot

Add Black and White Gradient

Draw a rectangular shape over the top of the dotted pattern object and fill this with a Black and White Gradient.

gradient over top screenshot

Turning Gradient into Mask

Using the selection tool, select both objects by roughly click dragging with the selection tool over one of the corners. This will ensure the top and the underlaying objects are both selected.

make mask screenshot

Ensure the Transparency palette is visible and select “Make Opacity Mask” from the palette fly-out menu.

faded spot screenshot

The gradient effect is now complete. Spot colours are retained. When saving this file as an Illustrator file and placing it in InDesign, spot colours are also honoured.

For more information on Opacity Masks, please also refer to tip 007. Although this tip was written for an earlier version of Illustrator, the technique is valid today.

Video Tutorial

 

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
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