The Color Mixer

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project: The Color Mixer

description: In this tutorial you will learn how to use the Color Mixer.

Files: None.

step 1: Take a moment to look at the Color Mixer. (Figure A) Window > Color Mixer if yours is not open.

step 2: There are a number of ways to set colors. Watch the following movie to see a few examples. (Figure B)

•Note: Alpha refers to transparency.

step 3: Click on the Fill Style. (Figure C) Select Linear. (Figure D)

•Note: Linear and Radial both refer to gradient fills.

step 4: Notice how the Color Mixer changed. (Figure E) Also notice that the gradient pointer (that's what Macromedia calls the color stop) on the left (Figure F) has a black triangle above it. That (and a number of other indicators) tells you it's active and can be edited (which we'll do next).

step 5: As we saw in the movie (in Step 2) there are many ways to change color. Pick your own method and select a new color. (Figure G)

step 6: Click on the other color stop to activate it. (Figure H) Use a different method to select your second color. (Figure I)

step 7: To add another color to the mix, position your mouse as shown. (Figure J) when the plus sign appears, click to add another color stop and select another color. (Figure J)

step 8: Watch the following movie (Figure L) to see how easy it it to remove any extra color stops. (Just click and drag down.)

step 9: We'll get to bitmap fills in another chapter. (Figure M)

step 10: Play around with the Color Mixer and have some fun creating your own custom colors and gradients. Next up: fun with the Pen Tool.

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