Unleash the power of gradients
8. Add depth to the button switch.
Make sure that the circle is selected and choose Object > Path > Offset Path. In the Offset Path dialog box, enter –0.15 inches for Offset and click OK. Select the outer circle. In the toolbox, click the Stroke button; in the Color palette, click black; and in the Stroke palette, enter 3 pt for Weight. In the toolbox, click the Gradient tool. Place it at the top of the rectangle and drag to the bottom of the circle to change the gradient orientation. Next, select the inner circle. In the Gradient palette, enter 90 for Angle. Select both circles and group them.
9. Create the indicator light.
With the button switch you just created still selected, copy it (Ctrl/Command+C). Choose Edit > Paste in Front to place it over the original button switch (you won’t see a difference yet). Reduce its size by choosing Object > Transform > Scale. In the Scale dialog box Uniform option, enter 30%, and click OK.
Drag the resized object below the button switch. Deselect the object.
10. Color the light.
In the toolbox, click the Fill button. With the Group Selection tool, click the indicator light’s center circle. In the Swatches palette, select the New Leaf radial swatch. In the Gradient palette, click the right stop, and in the Swatches palette, Alt/Option-click the Red swatch. In the Gradient palette, select the middle stop, and Alt/Option-click the Orange swatch. Select the left stop, and Alt/Option-click the Yellow swatch to complete the light.
11. Fine-tune the light.
With the Group Selection tool, click the black outer ring of the indicator light. In the toolbox, click the Stroke button, and in the Stroke palette, enter 1 pt for Weight to reduce the stroke size.
12. Align the switch elements.
Unlock the switch plate (Ctrl/Command+Alt/Option+2). Select all of the images (Ctrl/Command+A). In the Align palette, click the Horizontal Align Center option to complete the design.
