Hello. I was wondering if there was a way to apply a gradient to a multi-line text object so that each line got it's own gradient?

Example:

This is line 1
This is line 2
This is line 3

If I have a vertical gradient that goes from black to white, I'd like both lines to have their tops black and bottoms white. Can I do this with a single text object, or do I have to break each line into its own object? The work that I'm doing involves several paragraphs of text. Breaking them out line by line would be a hassle if I had to do it that way.

Thanks,
-- Bill

Make the gradient cover only one line, then set it to repeat. Strangely, the gradient editor doesn't seem to have an option for this, but it's available in the Fill and Stroke dialog: set Repeat to "direct".

Thanks. I tried that, and it works for a few lines, but then gets out of sync. Odd. I'll have to try being more precise. Or I'll just break the lines into separate objects.

You could try just having multiple evenly spaced stops on the gradient. For instance, a three-line text object would have six stops. Then simply manipulate the gradient to cover the text. When home I'll attempt this and post the results.

llogg wrote:You could try just having multiple evenly spaced stops on the gradient. For instance, a three-line text object would have six stops. Then simply manipulate the gradient to cover the text. When home I'll attempt this and post the results.

I was trying that as well but had to leave for work. That might be the way to go. I just need to get speedier with the gradient editing. Thanks!

I haven't had much luck. I think the easiest thing to do is object to path, then break apart, then combine each line as a separate path and then apply the gradient to each individually. It sounds like a lot of work, but it's been much easier (and more successful) than trying to manipulate the gradient. It will be interesting to see if somebody comes up with a shortcut.
It's a curious problem and highlights the uniqueness of text objects.

Well, I actually went with the Repeat Direct option. It's just that if you have long passages of text you have to be fairly precise as to where the start and end of the gradient are, otherwise it gets out of synch. I done learned sumthin'! Thanks for the help, folks. Hoepfully this will be useful to someone else, too.

would you mind posting your results? I'm curious how it turned out with that method.