Gradient Interpolator

Script for Adobe Illustrator

✦ Available exclusively on Patreon for Pro supporters.

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Description

Gradient Interpolator is a powerful utility for Adobe Illustrator designed to eliminate banding and create perfectly fluid color transitions. By leveraging modern perceptual color spaces like OKLCH and OKLAB, it adds mathematically optimized intermediate stops to your gradients, ensuring they look stunning on both high-end displays and in professional print.

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Features

Gradient Interpolator offers a robust toolkit for crafting flawless, perceptually accurate color transitions with precise control over every aspect of the interpolation process:

Perceptual Interpolation: Use advanced color models (OKLCH, OKLAB, LCH, LAB) to avoid the muddy gray zones often found in standard RGB gradients.
Target Specific Properties: Choose whether to affect Fill gradients, Stroke gradients, or both.
Hue Path Control: For cylindrical color spaces (OKLCH, LCH), choose how the interpolation travels around the color wheel — Shorter, Longer, Increasing, or Decreasing.
Adjustable Interpolated Stops: Total control over the number of intermediate stops (1–30) added between your original gradient stops.
Real-time Preview: See your adjustments live on the canvas before committing.
Hide Edges: Hide document selection bounding boxes and edges while previewing for a clearer view.
Gradient Navigation: Cycle through multiple gradients in your selection using the Previous and Next buttons.
Zoom to Selection: Instantly center and scale the view to your selected artwork for better inspection.
Persistent Settings: Your preferences are automatically saved and loaded for a seamless experience across sessions.
Smart Selection: Processes fills, strokes, groups, and compound paths simultaneously.

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RGB vs OKLCH gradient color interpolation

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Installation

1. Download the Gradient Interpolator.jsx script file.

2. Place the script in your Adobe Illustrator Scripts folder:

⮑ Mac: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator (Version)/Presets/(Language)/Scripts

⮑ Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator (Version)\Presets(Language)\Scripts

3. Restart Adobe Illustrator if it's already running

4. Access the script via File > Scripts > Gradient Interpolator

5. Alternatively, run it directly via File > Scripts > Other Script... and browse to the file location

Tip: You can also drag and drop the .jsx file directly onto the Illustrator workspace to run the script instantly – no installation needed.

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Using the Script

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Select Your Artwork

Open your Illustrator document and select the objects containing the gradients you wish to smooth. The script works on both Fill and Stroke gradients, even if they are nested inside groups.

For best results, use an RGB color mode document. The script will warn you if the document is in CMYK mode.

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Launch the Script

Navigate to File > Scripts > Gradient Interpolator.
The interface will appear as a floating dialog, ready for adjustments.
Your previous settings will be automatically loaded.

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➊ Navigate and Preview Gradients

If you have multiple gradients selected, use the navigation controls to review them individually.

Previous / Next Buttons: Cycle through all the gradients found in your selection.
Gradient Previews: The Before and After scales display the original and the modified gradients.
Zoom Button (⊕): Click to instantly center and scale the view to the objects using the currently previewed gradient.

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➋ Adjust Interpolated Stops

Set how many intermediate stops are added per gradient segment to control the smoothness.

Number Field and Scrollbar: Enter a number between 1 and 30, or use the scrollbar to adjust the value.
Low Values (1–5): Provide a slight improvement in transitions with minimal file size increase.
High Values (15–30): Offer maximum smoothness for large-scale backgrounds or print artwork, but increase file size.

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➌ Choose an Interpolation Method

Select the color space that best fits your project to calculate the intermediate colors.

OKLCH: The most modern and perceptually accurate method. Excellent for digital UI/UX and vibrant transitions.
OKLAB: Offers linear perceptual interpolation, great for predictable color mixing.
LCH: Traditional perceptual color space with strong hue preservation. Recommended for print workflows.
LAB: Device-independent color space. A solid choice for print projects and photo editing workflows.
RGB (Illustrator Default): Standard interpolation for comparison or legacy requirements.

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Gradient Interpolation Methods

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➍ Set the Target and Hue Path

Configure which gradients to affect and how colors are mixed.

Affect Gradients: Check Fill or Stroke to target specific object properties.
Hue Path: When using OKLCH or LCH, control the direction the interpolation travels around the color wheel.
Shorter: Takes the shortest arc, producing the most natural transition.
Longer: Takes the opposite arc, passing through more intermediate hues.
Increasing: Hue values always increase clockwise on the wheel.
Decreasing: Hue values always decrease counter-clockwise on the wheel.

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Hue Path options

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➎ Refine the Preview

Adjust your preview settings to get a clear view of the final result.

Preview: Keep this checked to see changes instantly on the canvas.
Hide Edges: Check this to temporarily hide selection paths and bounding boxes for an unobstructed view.

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➏ Apply Your Changes

Once satisfied with the results, finalize or discard your adjustments.

OK: Click to apply the new gradient stops to your artwork and save your current settings.
Cancel: Click to revert to your original gradients and exit without making changes.

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Before / After

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☻ Wrap-Up

Gradient Interpolator transforms the way you build color transitions in Adobe Illustrator, turning tedious manual tweaking into a single streamlined workflow. By combining modern perceptual color science with intuitive real-time controls, it delivers gradients that look flawless on screen and in print. Experiment with the different color spaces and hue paths to discover what works best for your style — and enjoy banding-free results every time.

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#Color

Previous

Gradient Interpolator

Version: 1.0.0

Updated: June 15, 2026

Download Gradient Interpolator

1.0.0 – Initial release.
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Tested on MacOS:
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- Adobe Illustrator 2023 (27.0)
- Adobe Illustrator 2024 (28.1)
- Adobe Illustrator 2025 (29.8)
- Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.3)
Supported Versions:
- Compatible with Adobe Illustrator CS6 and later, including Adobe Illustrator CC versions.
Operating Systems:
- Works on both macOS and Windows platforms.
End User License Agreement (EULA)
Last Updated: 21.12.2024
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This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal agreement between you (“User” or “Licensee”) and Samolevsky.com (“Licensor”) regarding the use of the Adobe Illustrator scripts (“Software”). By downloading, installing, or using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
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1. Grant of License
Licensor grants the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to use the Software in accordance with this Agreement.
- Free Software: If the Software is provided for free, you may use it for personal or commercial purposes without payment, subject to the restrictions outlined in this Agreement.
- Paid Software: If the Software is provided for a fee, you may use it only after payment has been made in full.
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2. Usage Rights
You are permitted to:
- Install and use the Software on devices you own or control.
- Use the Software in your personal or commercial projects, subject to compliance with this Agreement.
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3. Restrictions
You may NOT:
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, underlying ideas, or algorithms of the Software.
- Reuse, incorporate, or integrate any portion of the Software into any other software, product, or project, except as expressly permitted by the Licensor in writing.
- Resell, redistribute, or share the Software, whether in its original or modified form, without prior written consent from the Licensor.
- Claim ownership of the Software or its underlying code.
- Use the Software in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations.
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4. Ownership
The Software and all intellectual property rights therein remain the exclusive property of the Licensor. This Agreement does not transfer ownership of the Software or any intellectual property rights to the User.
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5. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES, OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
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6. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Licensor shall not be liable for any damages, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, arising out of or related to the use or inability to use the Software.
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7. Termination
This Agreement is effective until terminated. Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately if you breach any term of this Agreement. Upon termination, you must cease all use of the Software and destroy any copies in your possession.
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8. Updates and Support
Licensor is not obligated to provide updates, support, or maintenance for the Software. However, updates may be provided at the sole discretion of the Licensor.
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9. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
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10. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Licensor concerning the Software and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter.
By using the Software, you acknowledge that you have read this Agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms.
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For any questions or concerns regarding this Agreement, please contact us at hello@samolevsky.com

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Required Software

Adobe Illustrator

Learn more

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics software developed by Adobe Inc. It is widely used by designers, illustrators, and artists for creating a variety of digital artwork, including logos, icons, illustrations, typography, and complex design layouts. Illustrator is known for its precision and scalability, allowing users to create high-quality graphics that can be resized without losing clarity. Its features include powerful drawing tools, customizable brushes, advanced typography options, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Illustrator is a go-to tool for creative professionals working on projects for print, web, and multimedia platforms.

🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder
To install a Gradient Interpolator.jsx script in Adobe Illustrator, you need to place it in the correct directory where Illustrator can recognize it. Follow these steps to locate the Scripts folder:
1. MacOS:
  Open Finder and navigate to:
  Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
2. Windows:
  Open File Explorer and navigate to:
  C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
3. Replace <Version> with your Adobe Illustrator version (e.g., 2025).
4. Replace <Language> with your language folder (e.g., "de_DE" for German, "en_US" for English).
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🅱 Installing the Script
1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Gradient Interpolator.jsx file to the Scripts folder located in the path above.
2. On some systems, you may need administrator permissions to modify the Scripts folder.
3. Restart Adobe Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.
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Explore our complete guide to mastering Adobe Illustrator scripts.
1. Open Adobe Illustrator and ensure a document is active.
2. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Scripts.
3. If the script is installed in the Scripts folder, it will appear in the dropdown list.
4. Click the Gradient Interpolator script to run it.
5. The Gradient Interpolator script will execute, and any dialog boxes or results will appear based on the script’s functionality.
☻ Before running any scripts, it’s strongly advised to save your work — especially when working with complex or large documents.

🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder
To install a Gradient Interpolator.jsx script in Adobe Illustrator, you need to place it in the correct directory where Illustrator can recognize it. Follow these steps to locate the Scripts folder:
1. MacOS:
  Open Finder and navigate to:
  Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
2. Windows:
  Open File Explorer and navigate to:
  C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
3. Replace <Version> with your Adobe Illustrator version (e.g., 2025).
4. Replace <Language> with your language folder (e.g., "de_DE" for German, "en_US" for English).
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🅱 Installing the Script
1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Gradient Interpolator.jsx file to the Scripts folder located in the path above.
2. On some systems, you may need administrator permissions to modify the Scripts folder.
3. Restart Adobe Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.
ㅤ
Explore our complete guide to mastering Adobe Illustrator scripts.

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and ensure a document is active.
2. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Scripts.
3. If the script is installed in the Scripts folder, it will appear in the dropdown list.
4. Click the Gradient Interpolator script to run it.
5. The Gradient Interpolator script will execute, and any dialog boxes or results will appear based on the script’s functionality.
☻ Before running any scripts, it’s strongly advised to save your work — especially when working with complex or large documents.

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