Methods apparatus for generating shaped gradient fills

Abstract

Computer-implemented methods and computer program apparatus, for implementing techniques for shading selected regions of an image. These include receiving an input selecting a region to be filled, receiving an input defining a gradient specifying a color transition to be applied between a starting position and an ending position, and applying the gradient between the starting position and the ending position to assign, based on the shape of the selected region, a color for each of a plurality of points located inside an outline defining the region's shape. In preferred embodiments, the gradient is applied by identifying, for each point in the selected region, a color interpolation vector extending from the starting position through the point to the ending position and intersecting the outline at one or more intersection points, and assigning a color for the point based on its position along the color interpolation vector.