To match the angle of the gradient to the path?

Question

Hello everybody!
I checked a little bit the other posts and I saw one from Steve similar but I think my question is a little different:
If you consider this example on the picture, is it possible that the gradient automatically comes to the same angle of the path?
(instead of searching degree per degree which angle more or less fits..)
I use sometimes the measure tool but u know how it is, it doesnt match really good..
Thanks,
Thomas

Answer 1

You can do it exactly and without guesswork.
Here's one way:
Direct select and copy one long side of the shpe you want to fill with a gradient.
Paste in Front (Cmd+F on a Mac).
Double-click on the Rotate tool (R) and enter 90°.
Make a guide of your path (Cmd+5). This new guide is the direction of your gradient.
With Smart Guides turned on, use the Gradient tool (G) to drag the gradient to fit the width of the shape.
Here's another way:
Rotate your shape until it is vertical. Colour it pink-or-something.
Then fill it with the gradient from a swatch and rotate it back to where it was.
You can also make "steel bars" with a blend between two strokes, a dark thick one behind and a light thin one in front.
But that's another story. :-)