# Creating Gradient Fills

/text/sdraw/guide/gradient.xhp
gradients; applying and defining
editing;gradients
defining;gradients
custom gradients
transparency;adjusting
mw deleted "applying;"
Creating Gradient Fills
A gradient fill is an incremental blend of two different colors, or shades of the same color, that you can apply to a drawing object.
To apply a gradient:
- Select a drawing object.
- Choose Format - Area and select Gradient as the Fill type.
- Select a gradient style from the list and click OK.
Creating Custom Gradients
You can define your own gradients and modify existing gradients, as well as save and load a list of gradient files.
To create a custom gradient:
- Choose Format - Area and click the Gradients tab.
- Select a gradient from the list to use as the basis for your new gradient and click Add.
- Type a name for the gradient in the text box and click OK.
  The name appears at the end of the gradient list and is selected for editing.
- Set the gradient properties and click Modify to save the gradient.
- Click OK.
Using Gradients and Transparency
You can adjust the properties of a gradient as well as the transparency of a drawing object with your mouse.
To adjust the gradient of a drawing object:
- Select a drawing object with the gradient that you want to modify.
- Choose Format - Area and click the Gradients tab.
- Adjust the values for the gradient to suit your needs and click OK.
To adjust the transparency of an object, select the object, choose Format - Area and click the Transparency tab.