You can fill a vector object with a gradient by first selecting a vector object and then clicking on the Gradient Fill tool in the Fill tools box (see Vector objects: Fill options). The Bezier Options box is then displayed.
To activate the Gradient Fill options in the Bezier Options box, you must first drag the gradient pointer – a hand symbol – a short distance across the selected vector object. Release the mouse and the Gradient Fill option is listed in the box at the top of the Bezier Options box.
Select Gradient Fill to make the normal gradient options visible. You can now proceed to set the Border Size and Border Color, and the Mode and Opacity (see Vector objects: blend modes).
Next, select from the available gradients in the Gradient box and gradient types in the Gradient type box below. For information on using gradients and some examples, see Gradient Fill. However, bear in mind that in this case you are using gradient fill with vector objects and not with normal selections or layers.
Any selections you make in the Gradient and Gradient type boxes, as well as in the Border Size and Color and Mode and Opacity boxes, are immediately implemented in the selected vector object.
Note that the extent of the gradient is in accordance with the distance you initially dragged the gradient pointer. You can alter this by making all your gradient selections, as described above, and then clicking on the Set Vector button at the foot of the box. This turns the pointer to the gradient hand-pointer again: drag this the required distance across the vector object and then release the mouse. The gradient is applied across this distance.
Note that every gradient you use with this particular object is listed in the box at the top of the dialog, along with any Solid Fills and Pattern Fills you may have created.