Script for Adobe Illustrator

✦ Available exclusively on Patreon for Pro supporters.

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Description

Gradient Tweaker is an Adobe Illustrator script that gives you creative control over gradient color arrangements. Whether you're looking for unexpected color combinations or want to systematically reorganize your gradients, this tool lets you randomize, reverse, or mirror gradient color stops with live preview.

The script works on both gradient fills and strokes, allowing you to experiment with different color arrangements without manually adjusting each gradient stop. Perfect for exploring new color variations, creating symmetric gradients, or simply adding some creative randomness to your designs.

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Key Features

• Randomize: Shuffle gradient color stops in random order
• Reverse: Flip the gradient color sequence
• Mirror: Create symmetric gradients by mirroring the color palette
• Repeat: Duplicate gradient stops to create repeating patterns
• Live Preview: See changes in real-time before applying
• Selective Targeting: Choose to affect fills, strokes, or both
• Batch Processing: Apply operations to multiple selected objects at once
• Non-destructive: Cancel anytime to restore original gradients

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Installation

1. Download the Shuffle Gradient Stops.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. Alternatively, you can run the script without installation by going to File > Scripts > Other Script... and selecting the .jsx file.

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Using the Script

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➊ Run the Script

• Open an Adobe Illustrator document
• Ensure you have objects with gradient fills or gradient strokes in your artboard
• Use the Selection Tool (V) to select one or more objects that contain gradients
• Go to File > Scripts > Shuffle Gradient Stops
• The script dialog will appear showing how many objects with gradients were found:

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➋ Target Selection

Choose which gradient type to affect:

• Gradient Fill: Only modify gradient fills
• Gradient Stroke: Only modify gradient strokes
• Both: Affect both fills and strokes

➌ Operation Selection

Choose how to transform the gradient colors:

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🅰 Randomize

• Shuffles gradient color stops in random order
• Click the "Randomize" button to generate new random arrangements
• Each click creates a different color sequence

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🅱 Reverse

• Reverses the order of gradient color stops
• Example: A gradient from red → yellow → blue becomes blue → yellow → red

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🅲 Mirror

• Creates a symmetric gradient by mirroring the color palette
• Example: A-B-C becomes A-B-C-B-A
• Perfect for creating balanced, symmetrical color transitions

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🅳 Repeat

• Duplicates the gradient color stops to create a repeating pattern
• Example with 3 repeats: A-B-C becomes A-B-C-A-B-C-A-B-C
• Adjustable repeat count from 2 to 100 times
• Use the scrollbar or input field to set the number of repetitions
• Keyboard shortcuts: Up/Down arrows to adjust (hold Shift for +10/-10 increments)
• Right-click the scrollbar to reset to default value (2)
• Stops are evenly distributed across the gradient for smooth transitions
• Controls are grayed out (disabled) when other operations are selected

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When the "Repeat" operation is selected, additional controls become available:

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Repeat Count Scrollbar

• Drag to adjust the number of repetitions (2-100)
• Click arrows for small adjustments (+1/-1)
• Click in the bar for larger jumps (+10/-10)
• Right-click to reset to default value (2)

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Repeat Count Input Field

• Manually enter a specific repeat count
• Use Up/Down arrow keys to increment/decrement
• Hold Shift with arrow keys for larger steps (+10/-10)
• Accepts values from 2 to 100+

➍ Preview Options

Preview Checkbox 

• Toggle on: See changes applied to your objects in real-time
• Toggle off: View original gradients while keeping your operation settings

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Hide Edges Checkbox

• Toggle on: Hide object edges/outlines for a cleaner preview
• Toggle off: Show object edges (default Illustrator view)

➎ Action Buttons

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Randomize Button

• Only active when "Randomize" operation is selected
• Click to generate a new random color arrangement
• Use this to explore different variations until you find one you like

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Cancel Button

• Restores all gradients to their original state
• Closes the dialog without applying changes

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Zoom Button ✚

• Only active when Preview is enabled
• Fits the selected objects in the current view
• Helpful for focusing on your gradient changes
• Respects the current target mode (Fill/Stroke/Both)

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OK Button

• Applies the current gradient transformation
• Shows a confirmation message with the number of gradients affected
• Closes the dialog

Tips & Best Practices

• Experiment freely: The preview feature lets you try different options without commitment
• Multiple randomizations: Keep clicking "Randomize" to explore various color combinations
• Selective application: Use the Target options to fine-tune which gradients are affected
• Batch processing: Select multiple objects to transform all their gradients at once
• Undo support: If you're not satisfied after clicking OK, use Illustrator's Undo (Cmd/Ctrl + Z)

☻ Wrap Up

Gradient Tweaker gives you instant creative control over your gradient colors with four powerful operations and live preview.

Whether you're exploring random combinations, creating symmetric designs, or building repeating patterns, the intuitive interface makes gradient experimentation fast and fun.

Select your objects, choose your operation, and watch your gradients transform in real-time.

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