More Gradients
Author: Geetesh Bajaj
Product/Version: Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
OS: Microsoft Windows XP / Vista
Date Created: January 24th 2009
Last Updated: February 26th 2009
Excerpt/Capsule:
I explained how you can add gradient fills to shapes in PowerPoint 2007 or later versions -- but left out the part about the More Gradients option because this feature leads to a detailed gradient editor that's very capable -- and there's lots to learn!
Follow these steps to access the More Gradients options:
- Select the shape that you want to change the fill for so that the Ribbon area now shows the Drawing Tools Format, as shown in Figure 1. Activate this Ribbon tab.
Figure 1: Drawing Tools Format tab of the Ribbon
- From the Drawing Tools Format tab, locate the Shape Styles group, then select the Shape Fill option to view the Shape Fill dropdown gallery that you can see in Figure 2 . From the Shape Fill dropdown gallery choose Gradient | More Gradients (the last option).
Figure 2: Shape Fill gallery
- This opens Format Shape dialog box as shown in Figure 3 . In the Format Shape dialog box, on the Fill tab, click the radio button next to Gradient fill if it is not already selected.
Figure 3: Format shape
The options in this dialog box are explained below:
- Preset Colors: Clicking the downward pointing arrow next to this option brings up several ready to use default gradients (see Figure 4). These can be either applied straightaway, or used as a base to edit and create your own gradients using the other options available in this dialog box.
Figure 4: Preset colors
Figure 5 below shows some shapes filled with the preset gradients.
Figure 5: Shapes filled with preset gradients
- Type: There are four gradient types available -- these are Linear, Radial, Rectangular, and Path (see Figure 6).
Figure 6: Gradient Type dropdown list
Linear gradient types are either horizontal of vertical gradients although they can be diagonal to any degree -- use the Angle option explained later on this page to change the degree. Figure 7 shows some samples of the same linear gradient rotated to different angle values. I normally don't use gradients that are so gaudy -- but since our previews are so small, I thought this sort of gradient will bring out the differences in gradient types well!
Figure 7: Shapes filled with linear gradients rotated to different angle values
Radial gradient types start with one color from a center position, and then merge into other colors towards the edge of the shape they fill. You can change the position of the center from which the gradient radiates to either the center, or any of the four corners as you can see in Figure 8. If your radial gradient has many stops with contrasting colors, the gradient might end up looking like concentric lines rather than smooth gradients -- that's exactly what has happened in Figure 8 -- but use a simpler two color gradient, and you'll see more subtle results.
Figure 8: Shapes filled with radial gradients centered from different positions
Rectangular gradient types are the same as radial gradients in all ways, but they spread out from a center position in a rectangular (or square) form rather than a circular form. Compare Figure 8 above with Figure 9 below and you'll understand what I am explaining! Again, you can change the position of the center from which the gradient merges to either the center, or any of the four corners as you can see in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Shapes filled with rectangular gradients centered from different positions
Path gradient types again are similar to radial or rectangular gradient types -- but they radiate using the shape as a path -- so a triangular shape shows a triangular gradient, a star shows a star-spread gradient, and so forth -- see Figure 10. Not surprisingly, a path gradient or a radial gradient within a circle may look the same, as you can see in the second shape in Figure 10 below.
Figure 10: Shapes filled with path gradients
- Direction: With this option, you can set the direction of the applied gradient to any of the available directions (see Figure 11).
Linear gradients provide 8 directions (see Figure 11), radial and rectangular gradients provide 5 directions, and path gradients provide no direction editing options.
Figure 11: Direction options
- Angle: Sets the angle of the gradient -- this option is only available for linear gradients.
- Gradient Stops: This option provides you with a comprehensive gradient editor, almost as capable as a mini-application within PowerPoint -- a separate article is available on Gradient Editing with Stops.
- Preset Colors: Clicking the downward pointing arrow next to this option brings up several ready to use default gradients (see Figure 4). These can be either applied straightaway, or used as a base to edit and create your own gradients using the other options available in this dialog box.
- When done, click Close to get back to your slide. Save your presentation often.
Related Link: My book Cutting Edge PowerPoint 2007 For Dummies covers many aspects of PowerPoint 2007. A free chapter excerpt PowerPointing with the Best of Them is available on this site.
