Specifying the gradient transparency

Each gradient fill contains settings that control the opacity of the fill at different locations on the gradient. For example, you can set the starting color to 100% opacity and have the fill gradually blend into an ending color with 50% opacity. The checkerboard pattern indicates the amount of transparency in the gradient preview.

To specify the gradient transparency:

1. Create a gradient as described in steps 1 through 10 of Creating smooth gradient fills.
2. To adjust the starting opacity, click the left opacity stop above the gradient bar. The triangle below the stop turns black, indicating that the starting transparency is being edited.
3. In the Stops section of the dialog box, enter a value in the Opacity text box, or drag the Opacity pop-up slider.
4. To adjust the opacity of the endpoint, click the right transparency stop above the gradient bar. Then set the opacity as described in step 3.
5. To adjust the location of the starting or ending opacity, do one of the following:
• Drag the corresponding opacity stop to the left or right.
• Select the corresponding opacity stop, and enter a value for Location.
6. To adjust the location of the midpoint opacity (the point midway between the starting and ending opacities), do one of the following:
• Drag the diamond above the gradient bar to the left or right.
• Select the diamond and enter a value for Location.
7. To delete the opacity stop you are editing, click Delete.
8. To add an intermediate opacity to the mask, click above the gradient bar to define a new opacity stop. You can then adjust and move this opacity as you would for a starting or ending opacity. To remove an intermediate opacity, drag its transparency stop up and off the gradient bar.
9. To create a preset gradient, enter a name in the Name text box and click New. This creates a new gradient preset with the transparency setting you specified.