Quickly change how objects interact with layers below by adjusting their Blending Mode in the Appearance panel. This controls how the colors of one object blend with the colors of objects underneath it.
Steps to Change an Object's Blending Mode
Changing the blending mode for a selected object in Illustrator is a simple process often requiring just a few clicks:
- Select the Object: Use the Selection tool (V) to click on the specific object (text, shape, image, etc.) for which you want to change the blending mode.
- Open the Appearance Panel: Make sure the Appearance panel is visible in your workspace. If you don't see it, go to
Window > Appearanceto open it. It typically appears on the right side of your Illustrator window. - Access Blending Options: Within the Appearance panel, you'll see various attributes for your selected object (like Stroke, Fill, Opacity). As the reference states, to add a Blending Mode to an object, click on the Opacity setting in the Appearance panel. Clicking "Opacity" expands a section or opens a dialog box containing both the Opacity slider and the Blending Mode dropdown.
- Choose Your Blending Mode: Click the dropdown menu next to "Mode" (it usually defaults to "Normal"). This list displays all available blending modes in Illustrator.
- Select the Desired Mode: Click on the name of the blending mode you want to apply (e.g., Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Difference). The object's appearance will update immediately to show the effect of the selected mode on the underlying artwork.
Understanding Blending Modes
Blending modes are powerful tools for creating dynamic visual effects. They are grouped in the dropdown list based on their general effect:
- Normal: The default mode, showing the object's color without interaction.
- Darken: Modes that make the result darker than either the blend or base color (e.g., Multiply, Color Burn).
- Lighten: Modes that make the result lighter than either the blend or base color (e.g., Screen, Color Dodge).
- Contrast: Modes that increase or decrease contrast (e.g., Overlay, Hard Light).
- Comparative: Modes based on color differences (e.g., Difference, Exclusion).
- Color/Component: Modes that transfer color, hue, saturation, or luminosity attributes (e.g., Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity).
Experimenting with different blending modes after accessing the Opacity settings in the Appearance panel is the best way to understand their effects and find the right look for your design.
