About gradients, meshes, and blends

Depending on the effect you want, you can use different methods to apply blends or color gradients to objects.

To apply a graduated blend of colors as you would apply any other color, create a gradient fill using the Gradient palette or the gradient tool. Applying a gradient in this way does not transform the object. Creating a gradient fill is a good way to create a smooth color gradation across one or more objects.

In contrast, the mesh tool transforms a path object (or a bitmap image) into a single, multicolored object. Once an object is transformed into a mesh, you can create smooth shifts in color and precisely adjust and manipulate the color by moving and adjusting the mesh lines. The mesh tool provides the most precise method for shifting colors within a single object.

You can create blends of colors, opacities, and shapes between objects using the Blend command or the blend tool. You can select the beginning and ending shapes, opacities, and colors, and have Illustrator create the intermediate steps to create the final blend.