Gradient fills are often used to shade objects for a realistic look. Using a gradient fill is limited because the gradient steps don't always run in the same direction as the shape of the object. Many times you will encounter irregular shapes and you would like to give them a gradient fill only to achieve unsatisfactory results. This technique is useful in these situations.
1. In this example we have a drawing of a power cord such as one found on a personal computer. One object uses a gradient fill for shading.
2. However, the cord itself is curved so a gradient fill would not give the desired result. In this case it uses a blend as a fill.
3. To make the cord, start by drawing a curved object with the Pen. Clone it twice and send one of the clones to another layer.
4. Give the top object a stroke width of 2 points and a stroke color of 40% black. Give the bottom object a stroke width of 8 points and a stroke color of black.
5. Select both objects and click Modify > Combine > Blend.
6. Hide the current layer, then activate the layer with the cloned object. Select it and give it a 10 point stroke.
7. Next, click Modify > Alter Path > Expand Stroke. Click "OK" in the dialog.
8. This creates a closed path out of the line.
9. Modify the object to the desired shape. This object will be a clipping path for the blend. It is shown below in Keyline mode.
10. Give the object a black fill.
11. Activate the layer containing the blend and select it, then click Edit > Cut.
12. Activate the other layer, select the path and click Edit > Paste Inside. The black filled object becomes a clipping path for the blend.
 | Note: Please notice that the clipping path object retains its stroke and fill properties. In this case the clipping path is the closed path of the cord with a black stroke and fill. Different applications each treat clipping paths in a slightly different way. In Deneba Canvas™, Adobe® Illustrator® or Photoshop® the stroke and fill of a clipping path will be "none" (blank), while in Macromedia® FreeHand or CorelDRAW® a clipping path retains its stroke and fill properties. More on masks and clipping paths here, here and here. |
13. Shown below is the finished drawing. This example was just a simple curved shape. This same technique can be used on a more complex shape with more than two objects in the blend.
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Source: http://www.sketchpad.net
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