Using blending modes


    Blending modes let you vary the ways that the colors of objects blend with the colors of underlying objects. When you apply a blending mode to an object, the effect of the blending mode is seen on any objects that lie beneath the object's layer or group. You can also isolate the blending mode to a targeted layer or group in order to leave objects beneath unaffected, or isolate all blending modes at the page level.

To specify the blending mode of an object:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • To change an object's or group's blending mode, select the desired object or group.
    • To change the blending mode of a fill or stroke, select the object, and then select the fill or stroke in the Appearance palette.
    • To change a layer or sublayer's blending mode, select the desired layer or sublayer's target icon in the Layers palette.
  2. In the Transparency palette, choose one of the blending modes from the pop-up menu. For a description of each, see Summary of blending modes.

To select all objects that use a specific blending mode:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Select an object with that blending mode.
    • Deselect everything, and choose the blending mode from the Blending Mode pop-up menu in the Transparency palette.
  2. Choose Select > Same > Blending Mode.
  3. Group (star and circle) with Isolate Blending option deselected (left) compared to selected (right)
    Group (star and circle) with Isolate Blending option deselected (left) compared to selected (right)

To isolate a blending mode to an object, group or layer:

  1. In the Layers palette, select the target icon to the right of a group, layer, or sublayer that contains an object using a blending mode. You can also select an individual object with overlapping strokes or fills to which different blending modes have been applied.
  2. Choose Show Options from the Transparency palette menu, if necessary.
  3. In the Transparency palette, select Isolate Blending.