Vein gradient

[dan_joyce@adobeforums.com]

I'm trying to make something that basically looks like the veins on the back of your hand or a tree branch. I need realism and am trying to use the Gradient Mesh tool. the problem is that I can't create a good mesh due to the different branches. Does anyone know of a good way to do this? Each bend causes problems with the mesh and to do it in little pieces won't look right when I put them together on top of a skin tone. I can use the gradient from the white hightlights to blue to flesh, but they don't fit together correctly. How can I make a full vein with branches?

Thanks

[Scott_Weichert@adobeforums.com]

Create one object the shape you want. Fill it with the basic color you want these veins to be.

Lock that object (command-2 or lock the layer)

On top of that object (on another layer if necessary). Draw smaller, simple shapes - circles, elipses, ovals that fit into the larger sections of yoru viens. Fill them with the same basic color you used in yoru large shape.

Now apply gradient meshes to those smaller objects.

After the meshes are applied, grab the direct selection tool and move the mesh nodes around. Push them out to match the edges of yoru big object.

it's always easier to create several mesh objects and push the nodes around to fit a shape than it is to try to get a single mesh to fit one shape.

[Gary_Newman@adobeforums.com]

Good tip, Scott.