Script for Adobe Illustrator

✦ Available exclusively on Patreon for Pro supporters.

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Description

Random Gradient Generator is an Adobe Illustrator script for creating colorful linear or radial gradients with a fast visual workflow. It lets you generate random multi-stop gradients, edit each stop manually, control opacity per stop, choose different interpolation methods for smoother blends, preview the result live on selected artwork, and optionally save the finished gradient to your Swatches panel.

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Features

The script is designed to make gradient exploration quick, flexible, and highly visual while still giving you precise control over each stop.

• Creates random linear or radial gradients with adjustable randomization strength
• Supports from 2 to 10 gradient stops
• Includes five interpolation methods: OKLCH, OKLAB, LCH, LAB, and RGB
• Lets you edit stop colors with clickable swatches or hex values
• Lets you set opacity for every individual stop
• Lets you lock selected stops before randomizing
• Includes one-click randomization for the full palette or a single stop
• Lets you reorder stops with move up and move down controls
• Lets you apply the gradient to Fill, Stroke, or Text frames
• Can randomly vary gradient angle and radial aspect ratio
• Shows a live blended gradient preview inside the dialog, displaying stops and interpolation points
• Applies live preview directly to selected artwork
• Automatically sizes gradient to the active artboard when nothing is selected
• Automatically saves and restores your previous settings
• Can add the final gradient to the Illustrator Swatches panel

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Installation

1. Download the Random Gradient Generator.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 > Random Gradient Generator.jsx

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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Launch the Script

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and open any document.
2. Select one or more objects if you want the gradient applied directly to existing artwork.
3. Run the script from File > Scripts > Random Gradient Generator.jsx.
4. If nothing is selected, the script will automatically create a preview rectangle matching the dimensions of the active artboard.
5. The script dialog will appear with multiple options:

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➊ Gradient Preview

• The horizontal preview bar at the top of the dialog shows a live blended representation of your gradient colors.
• It displays actual stops as squares and calculated intermediate interpolation points as circles.
• This preview updates automatically as you adjust colors, stops, interpolation methods, and options.

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➋ Set the Number of Stops

• Use the Number of Stops slider to choose anywhere from 2 to 10 stops.
• You can also type a value directly into the input field beside the slider.
• The stop list below updates automatically when the count changes.
• Newly generated stops receive random colors based on the Randomization Strength.
• Locked stops are preserved when the stop count changes, as long as they remain within the visible range of the new total.

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➌ Edit and Reorder Color Stops

In the Gradient Stops Color and Opacity panel, each row represents one color stop. If your gradient has more than six stops, scroll the stop list using the scrollbar on the right to access the remaining rows.

1. Lock Stop: Use the checkbox on the left to lock a stop so it will not change during full randomization.
2. Use the Color Picker: Click the color swatch to open Illustrator’s color picker
3. Change Color Manually: Type a six-digit hex value to set the stop color directly.
4. Adjust Opacity: Use the opacity field to set transparency from 0 to 100 for that stop (press Up/Down arrows to step, or Shift + Up/Down for larger steps).
5. Randomize Stop: Press the ✚ button to randomize only that single stop.
6. Reorder Stop: Use the ⏶ button to move a stop upward, or the ⏷ button to move a stop downward to change the flow of colors across the gradient.

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➍ Choose Gradient Type and Target Artwork

Gradient Type: In the Gradient Type panel, choose Linear or Radial.

• Select Linear for a directional blend.
• Enable "Vary Gradient Angle" to randomize the angle.
• Select Radial for a circular blend.
• Enable "Vary Aspect Ratio" to randomly squash the gradient horizontally or vertically.

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Apply To: In the Apply To panel, choose whether to apply the gradient to the Fill, Stroke, or Text of your selected objects.

• If nothing is selected, these target options will be disabled and the script will apply the preview to the temporary artboard rectangle. 

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➎ Select the Interpolation Method

Choose how the script blends colors between your stops using one of the five interpolation method buttons.

• OKLCH: Produces very smooth and visually balanced transitions (default option, prevents muddy mid-colors).
• OKLAB: Keeps interpolation perceptually uniform with a slightly different feel.
• LCH and LAB: Provide alternative traditional perceptual color space blending methods.
• RGB: Uses standard RGB interpolation similar to Illustrator’s default gradient behavior.

The dialog's preview bar and the active canvas selection update automatically when switching methods.

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➏ Adjust Interpolation Options

1. Hue Direction: In the Interpolation Options panel, use the Hue dropdown to choose the direction of hue interpolation around the color wheel (Shorter path, Longer path, Increasing, or Decreasing; available for OKLCH and LCH methods only).
2. Precision: Use the Precision input to set the number of intermediate stops generated per segment (between 1 and 50; available for non-RGB methods only). You can press Up/Down arrows to step the value (Shift + Up/Down for larger steps).

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➐ Set Randomization Strength

• Use the Randomization Strength slider to control how much colors vary when generating new random variations.
• A lower value creates subtle color variations around the current colors, while 100 provides completely random colors.

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➑ Preview and Swatch Options

Preview: Keep the Preview checkbox enabled to see the gradient applied to your selected artwork on the canvas in real time. When Preview is enabled, changes in the dialog update on the canvas automatically. If you disable Preview, the script restores your artwork's original fills/strokes until you click OK.

Add Gradient to Swatches: Leave this checked if you want the final generated gradient saved as a named swatch in Illustrator’s Swatches panel.

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➒ Randomize, OK, and Cancel buttons

• Randomize: Click the Randomize button to instantly generate a new set of colors for all unlocked stops and randomize variable properties (like angle or aspect ratio).
• OK: Click OK to apply the final gradient to the selection (or permanent rectangle if nothing was selected), save the settings, and close the dialog.
• Cancel: Click Cancel to discard the session and close the dialog. This restores the artwork to its original state (or removes the temporary active artboard rectangle).

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☻ Wrap-Up

Random Gradient Generator gives you a fast way to explore unexpected color blends while still keeping full control over structure, opacity, and stop order. Whether you want a quick source of inspiration or a refined custom gradient, the script makes it easy to build, preview, and apply polished results directly inside Illustrator.

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