Transparent Gradient in InDesign?

[ccalleri]

How do you make a gradient in InDesign (cs2 or 3) that (for example), goes from black to transparent? I know it's really easy in Photoshop, but I can't for the life of me how to do it in InDesign!

Is it even possible?

Thanks!
cc

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Impossible, as far as I know. One of my pet peeves.

 

[Blue Velvet]

This could work... Try setting a gradient from black (K) or a rich black (100K 40C + optional 20M 20Y) to white and setting the object attribute in transparency (blending mode) to multiply... check the trapping on it carefully — it should overprint — and any separations you can run out. Proofing is essential when you try these potentially RIP-choking things.

 

[JasonElise1983]

Blue Velvet, that does work...but it is touch and go on different presses. But, here is the cool thing...this is a new feature of CS3. Go to Object > Effects > Gradient Feather. Boom! you've got a gradient that will go from one color to transparent, crazy huh? Just fill the object the color you want it to be, and the effect tell is where to be transparent at. and best of all, you can change it at any time.

-JE

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

<---- recently humbled.

Great advice, folks.

 

[Blue Velvet]

...this is a new feature of CS3. Go to Object > Effects > Gradient Feather. Boom!

Thanks for the heads-up. 4 x licences of CS3 arrived at work today but haven't been installed yet... I'll have to wait for a week or so to find some time to install them all. Quark 7 is going on the machines as well and virtually all reports say that it handles transparency better. We shall see.

 

[JasonElise1983]

CS3 has done me well so far. Haven't had a single problem with it, other than printers being slow to upgrade around here. As much as PDF is a standard, a lot of printers around here still want the working files. So, i have to export it as an IndesignXchange document, which is another touch-and-go item with Indesign. I quit using Quark as soon as 6 came out because i just didn't feel that 6 was worth the trouble. Now it seems i want to try 7 again. It seems better than 6 was, and i'm open to anything. It would be hard to switch me form InDesign at this point, but i sad the same thing about Quark a few years ago...🙂

-JE