How can I change the color of the gradient in Illustrator CS3?

Question

When I try to use a gradient, its only black n white. help?

Answer 1

This one really ticked me off for a long time. I had to go to the help file to figure it out:

"To define the starting and ending colors of a gradient, click the leftmost or rightmost gradient stop. Specify a color in the Color panel, or Alt‑click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) a color swatch in the Swatches panel. Or, drag a color from the Color panel or the Swatches panel onto the gradient stop."

The easiest way for me to do it was to open the Gradients Panel and click (just once) the gradient stop I wanted to change, then Option-click (I'm on a mac) the color I wanted in the swatches panel. If you hate going back and forth, just tear off the Swatches panel so you can see it next to the gradient panel. Of course, then you could just drag the colors you want into the gradient if you have both panels open next to each other.

Good luck!