Chapter 6: Exploring the Color Management Tools
Posted: July 15th, 2010 | Author: admin | Filed under: Book IV FreeHand MX | Comments OffIn This Chapter
Working with color
Creating a color palette
Mixing a color
Using the Eyedropper tool
Modifying strokes and fills
W hen you create a FreeHand MX illustration, you can work with as
Much or as little color as you want. You can use color sparingly if
You’re creating an illustration for the Web, or you can use lots of color if
You’re creating illustrations for print. FreeHand gives you a wide variety of
Color tools to work with. You can mix colors, create color palettes, load
Color palettes, and more. If you like bright, vibrant objects that look three
Dimensional in your illustrations, you can use the Fill options in the Objects
Tab of the Properties panel to create a gradient fill (a gradual transition
Between two or more colors).
In this chapter, we show you how to use the FreeHand color tools to add
Vibrancy to every illustration you create. We explain how to work with the
Different color models to mix up colors, as well as how to use the Swatches
Tab of the Assets panel to create a color palette for your document. If you
Prefer to stick with a given color, but want lighter variations of it, we detail
How to do this with the Tints tab of the Mixer and Tints panel.
Before you begin creating an illustration, consider its final destination. Are
You creating an illustration for print or for the Web? If you’re creating an
Illustration for print, choose colors from the CMYK palette. If you are having
A service center print the illustration, find out what system they use for
Color matching and choose all your colors from that color system. We show
You how to choose from a color system in the section, “Using the Swatches
Tab of the Assets Panel.”
If you’re creating an illustration for viewing on a computer, use colors from
The RGB color model. If you’re creating a document for Web viewing, remem -
Ber the old Zen maxim: Less is more. If your viewing audience accesses the
Internet using dial-up modems, the fewer colors you use, the smaller the file
Size, and thus the quicker the download time. Using the Mixer Tab 450
Using the Mixer Tab
You use the Mixer tab of the Mixer and Tints panel to mix up any color of the
Rainbow for your objects. You can mix a color using one of three color
Models, or you can use the System Color Picker to add a splash of color to
Your illustration (Mac users can select colors from Crayons, a Spectrum, and
More). The neat thing about the Mixer tab is that you’re dealing with values.
If you have a set of values for a color (say that lovely chartreuse your client
Uses for a logo), you can match that color exactly by entering the values in
The appropriate section of the Mixer tab. In the next few sections, we explain
How to use each color model to mix up a shade of chartreuse, or whatever
Other color you fancy for your illustration. To open the Mixer tab, shown in
Figure 6-1, choose Window➪Color Mixer or press Shift+F9.
After mixing a color, you can apply it to an object or add it to the Swatches
Tab of the Assets panel. We cover these colorful tasks in the upcoming sec -
Tion, “Working with the Mixer Tab.”
Mixing a CMYK color
When you mix a color using the CMYK color model, you mix percentages of
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and blacK. If your document is destined for print,
This is the color model you should choose. Follow these steps to mix a color
Using the CMYK color model:
1. Choose Window➪Color Mixer or press Shift+F9.
The Mixer and Tints panel, previously shown in Figure 6-1, opens.
CMYK
Add to swatches
Change attribute color
System Color Picker
HLS
RGB
Figure 6-1:
You can mix
A color
Using one of
The three
Color
Models. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Using the Mixer Tab 451
2. Click the CMYK button, which is the top button.
The Mixer tab goes into CMYK mode.
3. Drag the sliders to mix the color.
As you drag the sliders, the color swatch on the right side at the bottom
Of the panel changes to reflect the current values, as shown in Figure
6-2. The values in each field update as well. Alternatively, you can enter
Known values in each field to match a known color, or click the arrows
To increment the values.
Mixing an RGB color
When you create illustrations that will be displayed on a Web site or as part
Of a CD-ROM presentation, you use the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model.
You have 256 values (values from 0 to 255) of each color to work with. For
Example, if you create an RGB color with the following values (R=255, G=0,
B=0), you get bright red; the following values yield bright blue (R=0, G=0,
B=255), the values for black are (R=0, G=0, B=0), and so on. When you com -
Bine the possible permutations, you end up with millions of colors. To mix
An RGB color, follow these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Color Mixer or press Shift+F9.
The Mixer and Tints panel opens to show the Mixer tab (refer to
Figure 6-1).
2. Click the RGB button, which is the second one from the top in the
Panel.
The Mixer tab is reconfigured, as shown in Figure 6-3.
Color component values
Original color
Color value sliders
Mixed color
Figure 6-2:
CMYK color:
A little dab’ll
Do ya. Using the Mixer Tab 452
3. Drag the sliders to mix the color.
As you drag the sliders, the color swatch on the right side at the bottom
Of the panel changes to reflect the current values. The values in each
Field also update. Alternatively, you can enter values in the text fields,
Which by the by, is the proper way to match a known color value.
Mixing an HLS color
FreeHand uses HLS (Hue, Lightness, Saturation) color; you may see this
Color model referred to as HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) in other pro -
Grams. When you mix a color using the HLS color model, you choose a hue,
Specify the lightness of the color, and how saturated the color is. The HLS
Model is actually a color wheel. The hue is a value between 0 and 360
Degrees. Values for light and saturation vary between 0 and 100. To mix an
HLS color, follow these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Color Mixer or press Shift+F9.
The Mixer and Tints panel opens with the Mixer tab selected (refer to
Figure 6-1).
2. Click the HLS button, which is the third one from the top in the panel.
The Mixer tab is reconfigured, as shown in Figure 6-4.
3. Click inside the color wheel and drag to select a hue.
As you drag, the color swatch at the bottom of the panel changes to
Reflect the color your cursor is currently over. The values in the Hue and
Saturation fields update as well.
Color component values
Original color
Color value sliders
Mixed color
Figure 6-3:
A dash of
Red, green,
And blue. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Using the Mixer Tab 453
4. Drag the slider to select a value for Lightness.
The values vary from 0 (black) to 100 (white). Alternatively, you can
Enter a value in the Lightness field.
5. To specify saturation, enter a value in the Saturation field.
You can enter a value between 0 and 100. Low values create a grayer
Variation of the color; higher values increase saturation, creating a more
Vibrant color. Alternatively, you can drag the point in the color wheel,
Towards the center to decrease saturation, or away from the center to
Increase saturation.
After you mix up a color, click the button for another color mode to see the
Component values for the new color in that color mode.
Mixing a color from the System Color Picker
Your operating system uses specific colors to display the icons, buttons,
And text of the software you use. You can use a color from the System Color
Picker in your FreeHand illustrations (Mac users can choose a color from
Crayons, a Spectrum, Grayscale, CMYK, RGB, HSB, Web-safe colors, and
More). To mix a color from the System Color Picker, follow these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Color Mixer or press Shift+F9.
The Mixer and Tints panel opens to show the Mixer tab (refer to
Figure 6-1).
2. Click the System Color Picker button, which is the fourth one from
The top in the panel.
The Color dialog box opens, as shown in Figure 6-5.
HLS color wheel
Original color
Color component values
Mixed color
Figure 6-4:
You can mix
Colors form
The HLS
Color wheel. Working with the Mixer Tab 454
3. Click a color to select it.
Half of the bar at the bottom of the Mixer tab of the Mixer and Tints
Panel refreshes to show the color you select. The component values for
The color are displayed in the text fields for the color mode you choose.
If you want to see the values for the color in CMYK, RGB, or HLS, click
The appropriate button on the Mixer tab.
Working with the Mixer Tab
After you use the Mixer tab to mix the perfect hue, you can apply it directly
To an object, use it for the current fill color, or add it to the Swatches tab of
The Assets panel. We show you how to use the Swatches tab of the Assets
Panel to create a color palette in the upcoming section, “Using the Swatches
Tab of the Assets Panel.”
Using the Mixer tab to apply color to an object
When you mix a color with the Mixer tab, you can apply it directly to the
Stroke or fill of an object in your document. To apply a color from the Mixer
Tab to an object, follow these steps:
1. Click the swatch shown in the right half of the rectangular bar at the
Bottom of the Mixer tab.
A square appears at the end of your cursor.
2. While holding down the mouse button, drag toward the object you
Want to apply the color to.
3. Release the mouse button when your cursor is over the stroke or fill
Of the object, whichever you want to change.
The color is applied to stroke or fill of the object.
Figure 6-5:
You can
Choose a
Color from
The System
Color
Picker. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Working with the Mixer Tab 455
Using the Mixer tab to change
The current fill or stroke color
If you’re getting ready to create several objects and you want to use the same
Stroke or fill color on these objects, you can replace the current stroke or fill
Color with one you mix in the Mixer tab and create away. To use a color
Mixed in the Mixer tab as the current fill or stroke color, follow these steps:
1. Click the swatch shown in the right half of the rectangular bar at the
Bottom of the Mixer tab.
A square appears at the end of your cursor.
2. While holding down the mouse button, drag towards the Fill or
Stroke color box.
You can find these boxes in the Colors section of the Tools panel.
3. Release the mouse button when your cursor is over the Fill or Stroke
Color box.
The swatch in the Fill color box or Stroke color box changes to the color
You mixed in the Mixer tab. If you have an object in the document
Selected, its fill or stroke color changes as well.
Adding a color to the Swatches
Tab of the Assets panel
If you mix a color you’re going to use repeatedly in the document, you can
Add it to the Swatches tab. To add a color from the Mixer tab to the
Swatches tab of the Assets panel, follow these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Color Mixer or press Shift+F9.
The Mixer and Tints panel opens.
2. Mix a color.
If you don’t know how to mix a color, read the preceding section, “Using
The Mixer Tab.”
3. Click the Add to Swatches button at the lower-left corner of the Mixer
Tab — it’s the one to the right of the Change Attribute Color button.
The Add to Swatches dialog box opens.
4. Accept the default name for the color or enter one of your own.
FreeHand uses the component values to name the color. When the color
Is added to the Swatches tab of the Assets panel, a small rectangular
Swatch of the new color is added as well. If you give the color a unique
Name, it will be easier to find if you’re creating an illustration with lots of
Colors. To give the color a unique name, type the name and press Enter. Creating Color Tints 456
5. Choose Process or Spot.
This option refers to how the color is separated for the output device.
Process colors are printed on four separate pages using the four
Process (CMYK) inks. Spot colors are not separated and are printed
On a separate plate.
6. Click Add.
The color is added to the Swatches tab of the Assets panel.
Creating Color Tints
When you create a color tint, you create a lighter variation of the original
Color. You create a color tint by varying the percentage of the original color
With the Tints tab of the Mixers and Tints panel. After you create a color
Tint, you can apply it directly to an object, add the tint to the Swatches tab
Of the Assets panel, or use it as the current fill or stroke color. To create a
Color tint, follow these steps:
1. Create a color using the Mixer tab of the Mixer and Tints panel.
2. Click the Tints tab on the panel.
The Tints tab opens, as shown in Figure 6-6.
3. Drag the slider to specify the percentage of the original color that will
Be used to create the tint.
As you drag the slider, the swatch at the bottom-right of the panel
Updates to display the new tint. Compare this to the swatch at the
Slider
Original color
Tint value windows
Tinted color
Figure 6-6:
To tint or not
To tint, that
Is the
Question. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Using the Swatches Tab of the Assets Panel 457
Bottom-left of the panel, which is the original color. Alternatively, you
Can tint the color by clicking one of the squares (tints of the original
Color in ten percent increments) or by entering a value in the field.
4. After creating the tint, do one of the following:
• Click the color swatch shown in the right half of the rectangle at the
Bottom of the panel, and then drag and drop the color on an object
In the document.
• Click the color swatch shown in the right half of the rectangle at the
Bottom of the panel, and then drag and drop the color on the Fill
Color box to replace the current fill color with the tint, or drag and
Drop the color on the Stroke color box to replace the current stroke
Color with the tint. If you have an object selected while doing this,
The object’s stroke or fill color is changed as well. Note: The Fill color
Box and the Stroke color box are both found on the Tools panel.
• Click the Add to Swatches button to add the tint to the Swatches tab
Of the Assets panel. After you click the button, the Add to Swatches
Dialog box appears. For more information, read the “Adding a color to
The Swatches tab of the Assets panel” section, earlier in this chapter.
If the Mixer and Tint panel is open at the same time as the Swatches tab of
The Assets panels, you can click the color swatch at the bottom of either the
Mixer tab or the Tint tab in the Mixer and Tint panel, and drag and drop it
Into the Swatches tab, and the color is added to the palette.
Using the Swatches Tab of the Assets Panel
When you create an illustration that uses the same colors on each page or
For several objects, mixing the color each time you need it is time-consuming
And counterproductive. You can save a considerable amount of time if you
Add the colors you use frequently to the Swatches tab of the Assets panel.
You also use the Swatches tab to organize and apply colors from standard
Preset color-matching systems. This option is handy if you’re creating a
Document that will be printed by a service center. If you’re creating a docu -
Ment for a Web page, you can also choose a color from the Web safe color
Library. Another option you have with the Swatches tab is saving the current
Color palette for future use. To open the Swatches tab, shown in Figure 6-7,
Choose Window➪Swatches or press Ctrl+F9.
The Swatches tab shown in Figure 6-7 already has colors added to it. The
Default colors when you create a new document are None, Black, White, and
Registration. You cannot rename or delete these colors. Black is a spot color
That is used for the black separation plate when printing a process color.
The registration color, a combination of CMY and K, all at 100%, is used for
Crop or trim marks and prints solid on separations. Using the Swatches Tab of the Assets Panel 458
You can differentiate color types in the Swatches tab of the Assets panel as
Follows:
✦ Process colors: The names of process colors are italicized.
✦ Spot colors: The names of spot colors are displayed with plain type.
✦ RGB colors: RGB colors display a triangular icon with red, green, and
Blue spheres after the color’s name. Colors derived from the HLS color
Wheel or the System Color Picker are displayed as RGB colors as well.
✦ CMYK colors: CMYK colors are displayed with no icon.
After you open the Swatches tab of the Assets panel, you can do any of the
Following:
✦ Apply a color to an object: You can apply a color to the stroke or fill of
An object by selecting the color and dragging and dropping it on an
Object. Alternatively, you can apply a color by selecting an object, click -
Ing the Fill, Stroke, or Stroke and Fill button at the top of the Swatches
Tab, and clicking the desired color’s name in the Swatches tab.
✦ Modify a color: You can modify a color in one of two ways:
• Mixer tab: You can modify a color in the Swatches tab by opening
The Mixer tab and dragging and dropping a color from the Swatches
Tab to the left side of the rectangular color swatch at the bottom of
The Mixer tab.
• Tints tab: You can modify a color in the Swatches tab by opening the
Tints tab and dragging and dropping a color from the Swatches tab
To the left side of the rectangular color swatch at the bottom of the
Tints tab.
✦ Change the stroke color: You can change the current stroke color by
Selecting a color from the Swatches tab and then dragging and dropping
It on the Stroke color box on the Tools panel.
✦ Change the fill color: You can change the current fill color by selecting
A color from the Swatches tab and then dragging and dropping it on the
Fill color box on the Tools panel.
Figure 6-7:
You use the
Swatches
Tab to
Create a
Color palette
And more. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Using the Swatches Tab of the Assets Panel 459
Adding preset colors to the Swatches tab
You can add a color to the Swatches tab of the Assets panel from either
The Mixer tab or the Tints tab, as outlined earlier in the chapter. If you fast -
Forwarded to this section and need to know how to add a color to the
Swatches tab from the Mixer tab, read the section, “Adding a color to the
Swatches tab”; to add a tint to the Swatches tab, read the section, “Creating
Color Tints.” In this section, we show you how to add colors to the
Swatches tab from preset color matching systems. To add a color from a
Preset color matching system to the Swatches tab, follow these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Swatches.
The Swatches tab of the Assets panel opens.
2. Click the Options menu (the bulleted list icon at the upper-right corner
Of the Assets panel) and choose one of the preset color matching sets.
If the document you’re creating will be printed commercially, find out the
System they use for color matching. For example, they may use one of
The PANTONE or Munsell matching systems. If the document you’re cre -
Ating will be displayed on a Web page, choose Web Safe Color Library.
When you choose a color matching system, a dialog box appears.
3. Select a color (or colors) from the Library dialog box.
You can select additional contiguous colors by clicking them while hold -
Ing down the Shift key and non-contiguous colors by holding down the
Ctrl key.
4. Click OK.
The Library dialog box closes and FreeHand adds the selected color(s)
To the Swatches tab using the color’s default library name.
You can also double-click a color to add it the Swatches tab, which will close
The dialog box.
Renaming a color
You can rename any color in the Swatches tab, except the default colors:
None, Black, White, and Registration. If you give a color a unique name,
You’ll have an easier time selecting it from the Swatches tab. To rename a
Color, follow these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Swatches.
The Swatches tab of the Assets panel opens.
2. Double-click the color you want to rename.
The color’s name is highlighted. Using the Swatches Tab of the Assets Panel 460
3. Type a new name for the color and then press Enter.
The color is renamed.
Exporting a color palette
When you create an ideal color palette, you can export the palette for use in
Documents you create in the future. This option is handy if you do work for
A client that uses specific color combinations for their text and logo. You
Create the palette by adding colors to the Swatches tab as outlined previ -
Ously in this chapter in the “Adding a color to the Swatches tab,” “Creating
Color Tints,” and “Adding preset colors to the Swatches tab” sections. After
You create the palette (also known as a Color Library), you can export it by
Following these steps:
1. Choose Window➪Swatches or press Ctrl+F9.
The Swatches tab of the Assets panel opens.
2. Click the Options menu (the bulleted list icon at the upper-right
Corner of the Assets panel) and choose Export.
The Export Colors dialog box, shown in Figure 6-8, opens.
3. Select the colors you want to export.
To select a color, click it. Hold down the Shift key to add a selection of
Contiguous colors to the selection, or hold down the Ctrl key to add
Individual noncontiguous colors to the selection.
4. Click OK.
The Create Color Library dialog box appears.
Figure 6-8:
You can
Create a
Custom
Color
Library
From the
Swatches
Tab. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Using the Swatches Tab of the Assets Panel 461
5. Enter a name in the Library Name field.
Choose a meaningful name that describes the type of colors in the
Library, or enter the name of the client you use the colors for.
6. In the Filename field, accept the default name of CUSTOM, or enter
Another name for the library.
If you intend to store more than one library, change the name to one
That reflects the contents of the library. When you import the Color
Library into a future document, this is the name you look for.
7. Click Save.
FreeHand saves the library in the Colors folder (in FreeHand’s Settings
Folder) and the colors in it appear on the Swatches tab.
Adding custom colors to the Swatches tab
After you save a color palette as a library, you can use any or all colors from
The palette in new illustrations by adding them to the Swatches tab of the
Assets panel. To add colors from a custom library to the current Swatches
Tab, follow these steps:
1. Choose Windows➪Swatches or press Ctrl+F9.
The Swatches panel opens.
2. Click the Options menu (the bulleted list icon at the upper-right
Corner of the Assets panel) and select the custom color library by
Clicking its name.
The Library dialog box opens.
3. Select the colors you want to add to the Swatches tab.
Select an individual color by clicking its swatch. To add contiguous
Colors to the selection, hold down the Shift key and click the top and
Bottom colors you want to add. To add noncontiguous colors to the
Selection, hold down the Ctrl key and click the individual colors you
Want to add.
4. Click OK.
The colors are added to the Swatches tab.
You can also copy and paste or drag and drop named colors from one open
FreeHand document to another. The colors will be added to the Swatches
Tab automatically. Using the Eyedropper Tool 462
Using the Eyedropper Tool
You use the Eyedropper tool to sample a color. You can sample the color
From an object in your document, the Stroke color box, the Fill color box, or
From the following panel tabs: Mixer, Tints, and Swatches. To sample a color
With the Eyedropper tool, follow these steps:
1. Select the Eyedropper tool from the Tools panel.
It’s the tool with an eyedropper for an icon.
2. Sample a color by doing one of the following:
• Click an object in the document window.
• Click a color swatch in any of the following panel tabs: Mixer,
Swatches, or Tints.
After you sample a color, hold down the mouse button and drag and
Drop the color to any of the following:
• A different object in the document: Do this when you sample a
Color from one object that you want to apply to another.
• An object in the document: Do this when you want to sample a
Color from a panel tab.
• The color swatch in the Mixer tab: Do this when you want to modify
A color using the Mixer tab.
• The color swatch in the Tints tab: Do this when you want to tint an
Existing color.
• The Swatches tab: Do this when you want to add a sampled color to
The Swatches tab.
3. Release the mouse button.
The sampled color is applied to the object or added to the tab you
Dropped it on.
Modifying Strokes
You use the Object tab of the Properties panel to change the color of a
Stroke, its width, and other parameters. If the stroke is a single line, you can
Add arrowheads to the head and/or tail of the stroke. The Object tab of the
Properties panel has enough options to fill up a whole lot of pages. You’ll
Never use many of the options, so we spare you a lot of excess verbiage by
Showing you how to modify a basic stroke in this section. To modify a stroke
Using the Object tab of the Properties panel, follow these steps:Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Modifying Strokes 463
1. Use the Pointer tool to select the stroke you want to modify.
You select a path, or modify an object’s stroke (outline) by selecting the
Object.
2. Choose Windows➪Object or press Ctrl+F3.
The Object tab of the Properties panel opens, displaying the Stroke
Tools, as shown in Figure 6-9.
3. Click the stroke in the list of Object properties to show the options for
The stroke you want to edit.
4. To change the stroke’s color, click and drag a color from the Swatches
Tab of the Assets panel onto the box to the right of the stroke indicator.
Similarly, you can also click the Stroke color box on the Tools panel and
Select a color from there.
5. Select an option from the Width drop-down list.
Alternatively, you can enter the desired value in the Width field.
6. Click a button in the Cap section to determine the path end.
The available options are Butt, Round, or Square.
Stroke color
Butt
Round
Square
Mitered
Round
Bevel
Stroke type
Figure 6-9:
You can
Modify a
Stroke’s
Appearance
With the
Object tab
Of the
Properties
Panel. Modifying Fills 464
7. Click a button in the Join section to determine how path ends join.
The available options are Mitered, Round, and Bevel.
8. Enter a value in the Miter field.
This value is applicable if you choose a miter join. Enter a value
Between 1 and 57. If the line length exceeds this value, it will be squared
Off instead of mitered.
9. To have a dashed stroke, select an option from the Dash drop-down list.
10. To apply an arrowhead to an open path, select an option from each of
The Arrowheads drop-down lists.
Use the left Arrowheads drop-down list to select an arrowhead for the
Start of the path; use the right Arrowheads drop-down list to select an
Arrowhead for the end of the path. You can select different arrowheads
For each end of the path. You can also have an arrowhead at one end of
The path and no arrowhead at the other.
The settings you specify are applied to the selected stroke. When you
Create a new stroke, the stroke is created using the previous settings.
You can use the Object tab to set stroke settings for all future strokes you
Create. Deselect all objects in the document, select a non-drawing tool, such
As the Pointer tool, and then set stroke characteristics as outlined in the
Previous steps. The characteristics will be applied to all future strokes until
You modify the settings in the Object tab.
If you like artistic brush strokes, select a path, open the Object tab, and then
Select Brush from the Stroke Type drop-down list. (Refer to Figure 6-9.) You
Can make the stroke look like it was painted with an artist’s brush or an
Airbrush.
Modifying Fills
When you add color to a shape, you give it a fill. You can modify the fill at
Any time using the Object tab of the Properties panel. The Object tab is
Filled with all manner of different fill options. In fact, it has so many options;
It would fill a chapter of its own. In the upcoming sections, we show you the
Most commonly used fill options.
Creating a basic fill
You can create or modify a basic fill through the Object tab in the Properties
Panel. A basic fill is pretty simple; it only has one color. When your design
Calls for a basic fill, here’s how you create one with the Object tab:Book IV
Chapter 6
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Management Tools
Modifying Fills 465
1. Use the Pointer tool to select the object whose fill you want to modify.
Alternatively, deselect all objects in the document, select a non-drawing
Tool, and the fill you create is applied to all future shapes you create.
2. Choose Window➪Object or press Ctrl+F3.
The Object tab of the Properties panel opens.
3. Click Fill: Basic beneath the object box in the list area of the panel.
By default, fills are defined as Basic and are colored black, as shown in
Figure 6-10.
4. Choose a color from the Fill drop-down list.
These are the colors currently in the Swatches tab of the Assets panel.
Alternatively, you can select a color by clicking the swatch in the Mixer
Or Tint tabs of the Mixer and Tints panel and dragging and dropping the
Color on the current color swatch in the Object tab.
After you select a color, it is applied to the selected object, or if you
Have no objects selected, the fill will be applied to all closed paths you
Create until you modify the fill.
If there is no default fill created for an object you’re working on, you can
Create one by clicking the Paint Bucket button on the Object tab. This will
Add a fill of the default color (which is usually black) to the object.
Creating a gradient fill
When you create a gradient fill, you create a gradual transition of two or
More colors. In FreeHand, you can create the following types of gradient
Fills: linear, radial, contoured, logorithmic, rectangle, or cone. Figure 6-11
Shows a comparison of the six gradient fill types.
Figure 6-10:
Basic fills
Are. . .
Basic. Modifying Fills 466
When you create a gradient fill, you specify each color in the fill and where
The color is blended. To create a gradient fill, follow these steps:
1. Use the Pointer tool to select the object to which you want to apply
The gradient fill. The object must have a closed path.
Alternatively, you can deselect all objects in the document, and the fill
You create will be applied to closed paths you create from this point
Forward.
2. Choose Window➪Object and, from the Object tab, select Fill: Basic
From the area underneath the object name in the middle list area.
3. From the Fill Type drop-down list, select Gradient.
The Object tab is reconfigured, as shown in Figure 6-12.
Fill type
Gradient type Color ramp
Figure 6-12:
You can
Create a
Colorful fill
By choosing
The gradient
Option.
Linear
Logarithmic Rectangle Cone
Radial Contour
Figure 6-11:
You can
Choose from
The six
Varieties of
Gradient
Fills. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Modifying Fills 467
4. Select the appropriate gradient type from the drop-down list beneath
The Fill Type drop-down list.
You can choose Linear, Radial, Contour, Logarithmic, Rectangle, or
Cone. The default gradient fill blends black and white, but you can
Choose any color.
5. Click the color swatch at either end of the color ramp (the rectangle
At the bottom of the tab) and choose a color from the color picker.
The color swatch refreshes to show the color you selected. Alternatively,
You can click the color swatch in the Mixer or Tint tabs and drag and
Drop the color onto the color swatch on the color ramp.
6. To add additional color points to the gradient, click a color swatch
From the Mixer tab of the Mixer and Tints panel or from the Swatches
Tab of the Assets panel and drag and drop it to the desired position
On the color ramp.
You can add as many color points as needed to define your fill. After
Adding another color point, you can select a different color by using
Any of the methods outlined in Step 5. If you need to move a color
Pointer, click the color pointer and drag it to a different position on
The color ramp. To remove a color point, click it and drag it off the
Color ramp.
7. Set the options for the type of gradient you’ve selected.
Each of the gradients has slightly different options for tweaking the fill
Pattern. In general, though, they include starting points for the gradient,
The angle of the gradient, and the width of the gradient.
Creating a tiled fill
When you create a tiled fill, you copy a shape from within the document
And use it to create a fill that displays the copied object tiled within
Another object. You can specify how large the tiled object is and change
The fill’s position within the filled object. To create a tiled fill, follow these
Steps:
1. Use the Pointer tool to select the object (or objects) that you want as
The basis for your tiled fill.
2. Choose Edit➪Copy or press Ctrl+C.
The object is copied to the Clipboard.
3. Use the Pointer tool to select the object you want to fill. Modifying Fills 468
4. Choose Window➪Object and select Tiled from the Fill Type drop -
Down list in the Object tab of the Properties panel.
The Object tab is reconfigured to create tiled fills.
5. Click the Paste In button.
The copied shape is pasted into the window and is tiled within the
Object you are filling.
6. To resize the object, enter values in the X and Y fields.
Enter values lower than 100 to make the object smaller and values larger
Than 100 to increase the size of the tiled object. As you enter values, the
Object’s fill changes to reflect the new parameters. Enter the same value
In each field to resize the object proportionately.
7. Enter values in the X and Y Offset fields.
The values you enter move the fill within the object to which it is
Applied. Enter positive X values to move the tiled fill to the right,
And negative X values to move the tiled fill to the left. Enter positive
Y values to move the fill up, and negative Y values to move the fill
Down.
8. Drag the circular dial to set the fill’s angle.
Hold down the Shift key to constrain the changes to 45-degree incre -
Ments. Alternatively, you can enter a value in the Angle field. Figure 6-13
Shows the Object tab being used to create a tiled fill as well as the
Object the tiled fill is being applied to.
Filled object
Fill scale
Fill offset
Fill angle
Figure 6-13:
It’s not
Ceramic,
But it is tile. Book IV
Chapter 6
Exploring the Color
Management Tools
Modifying Fills 469
Using FreeHand’s other fill types
Getting into the nitty-gritty details of how to use FreeHand’s other fill types
Goes a little beyond the scope of this book, but we did want to at least men -
Tion what they’re used for, lest you see them in the Fill Type drop-down list
And think, “Hey, I got robbed! Nobody told me about these.” Briefly, here’s
What the other Fill types are designed to do:
✦ Custom Fill: Nine custom fills are available, and they include things like
Bricks, circles, and grass. Each of the fills is editable.
✦ Lens: The Lens fill allows you to set up your fill using common photo -
Realistic effects, such as transparency, lighten, darken, invert, and
Monochrome. Again, each of these effects is editable to your liking.
✦ Pattern: The Pattern fill is fun, because you can watch your object
Change as you click on little boxes in a grid in the Object tab.
✦ Postscript: Postscript fills are standardized repeating patterns. You
Won’t be able to see them onscreen — they only appear when you print
Your document on a PostScript printer. Onscreen (and when output
From non-Postscript printers) they show up as rows of the letter C.
Postscript fills don’t scale when you scale an object; they have set
Sizes. If you’re looking for a place to get started on understanding
Postscript, including links to other sources on the Net, check out
Www. postscript. org.
✦ Textured: Textured fills work almost exactly like the pattern fills, except
That the fills are more interesting. For this type, they include burlap,
Denim, sand, and coarse gravel.
Fun with color, FreeHand style
You can also modify colors in your documents
By choosing Xtras➪Colors and choosing a com -
Mand from the submenu. You can use these
Commands to lighten, darken, or desaturate
Process colors, as well as randomize colors,
Sort named colors, and more. We urge you to
Experiment with these powerful commands to
Further your use of color in FreeHand. Book IV: FreeHand MX 470