Creating a mesh object

Use the mesh tool or the Create Gradient Mesh command to convert objects to mesh objects. You can also use the Expand command to convert radial or linear gradient path objects into mesh objects.

To create a mesh object with the mesh tool:

Choose the mesh tool  and click a filled object. The object is converted to a mesh object with the minimum number of mesh lines.

To create a mesh object with the Create Mesh command:

1. Select a filled object.
2. Choose Object > Create Gradient Mesh.
3. Enter the number of horizontal rows of mesh lines to create on the object in the Rows text box.
4. Enter the number of vertical columns of mesh lines to create on the object in the Columns text box.
5. Select the direction of the highlight from the Appearance pop-up menu:
• To Center creates a highlight in the center of the object.
• To Edge creates a highlight on the edges of the object.
• Flat applies the object's original color evenly across the surface, resulting in no highlight.
6. Enter a percentage of white highlight to apply to the mesh object. A value of 100% applies maximum white highlight to the object; a value of 0% applies no white highlight to the object.

Creating a mesh object using the Expand command:

1. Select an object containing a radial or linear gradient fill.
2. Choose Object > Expand.
3. Select the Gradient Mesh option in the Expand dialog box and click OK. The selected object is converted to a mesh object that takes the shape of the gradient, either circular (radial) or rectangular (linear).