# Transparent masks vs. transparent gradients

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/transparent-masks-vs-transparent-gradients/220623>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [March 27, 2007, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/transparent-masks-vs-transparent-gradients/220623 "2007-03-27T20:14:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![joshchernoff](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/joshchernoff/32/1852_2.png) [@joshchernoff](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/joshchernoff)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/transparent-masks-vs-transparent-gradients/220623/1 "2007-03-27T20:14:25Z")

</div>

I just started to use Illustrator more then flash for my vector needs. but I found it hard to use transparent gradients because you have to use a mask. Why is that? whats the benefit of a mask over having a transparent color in a gradient like in flash? to tell you the truth aside from all the fancy effects that Illustrate provides I still think it’s a little easier to use flash (snapping, filling colors in areas on the fly, transparent color in gradients, bending with the cursor).