Curves

Gradient Tools can run a gradient along the length of a Curve object — no mesh conversion needed. It's ideal for hair, ropes, cables, roads and any procedural curve setup.

When a Curve object is active, a Curve Gradient panel appears in the Gradient Tools tab of the 3D Viewport.

Apply a gradient to a curve

1. Select a Curve object.
2. Open the Curve Gradient panel.
3. Pick a Target strip (a Gradient strip is the point here).
4. Apply.

The strip's colors map onto the curve so the gradient flows from the curve's start to its end.

Gradient Along Curve

• On — the gradient runs along the curve (start → end). This is the usual choice.
• Off — the strip color is applied uniformly along the whole curve (useful for a flat color, or to drive a single solid tone).

Give the curve some surface

A bare curve has no thickness. Add a Bevel (Curve ▸ Geometry ▸ Bevel — a depth, a bevel object, or extrude) so the curve renders as a tube/ribbon and the gradient has a surface to show on.

How it works

The gradient is applied through a small node setup that maps the curve's built-in parameter (position along the curve, 0 → 1) to the correct cell of the palette texture. Because it's node-based, there's no mesh conversion and the curve stays fully editable.

Great for

• Hair cards and groom guides that fade root → tip.
• Ropes, cables and wires with a length-wise color change.
• Roads and paths that shift color along their run.