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Illustrator Tutorial: Transparent Gradient
Looking for a transparent gradient in Illustrator similar to the one in Photoshop that goes from opaque solid at one end to transparent at the other end? Unfortunately, Illustrator doesn’t make it as easy as Photoshop to apply a transparent gradient but here’s an effective way to create one in Illustrator to achieve an effect similar to the image below.
For this effect, we are going to use an Opacity Mask. Once you understand this technique, you will be able to apply it to anything from shapes to images.
Step 1: Place the two images or shapes on top of each other with the object that will be transparent on top. Make sure the gradient and transparency palettes are open and the top image is selected because this is the image/layer that we are going to apply the Opacity Mask/gradient to. You should see something similar to the image below.
Step 2: In the transparency palette, you’ll notice two boxes, the left one is the object (in this case it’s our blue shape), and the box to the right is where our Opacity Mask will be (right now it’s empty). To create a mask, double click on the empty space to the right, or in the pullout menu select “Make Opacity Mask”.
You should now see a black box which is our Opacity Mask, and you won’t be able to see your image as it is now completely masked out. Note: The mask square (on the right) is selected (shown with a black outline) which means we are working on the mask and not the object.
Step 3: In the gradient palette, create a gradient from black to white (you can drag the colours from the Swatches palette into the gradient colour bar, or double-click the colour squares to change them). Note: Make sure the black in the gradient is black or the transparency will not fade completely. With the mask square still selected, draw a rectangle over the top image, which is still hidden.
Adjust the size of the rectangle and with the mask still selected you can adjust the gradient by selecting the Gradient Tool  , and recreate the gradient on the actual object, and also adjust the gradient slider in the Gradient palette.
Tip: Can’t click on other objects or see the rest of your layers in the Layer palette? Don’t panic, you probably still have the Opacity Mask selected. Simply click on the square to the left of the mask and you will see all your layers again!
Depending on the effect you want, select the object/left square and try playing around with the layer effect in the transparency pallet (try switching from “Normal” to “Multiply”).
You can apply the same technique to shapes, as shown below.
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