Achieving Beautiful Gradients Without Images: Introduction to jquery.gradient.js

In web design, gradients are a powerful tool for adding visual appeal. However, traditional methods require the use of images, which can lead to issues with page load times and complexity in management. In this article, we will introduce how to achieve gradients without using any images by leveraging jquery.gradient.js. This technique is designed to be easy to understand for engineers, designers, and even beginners.

Preparing CSS for Gradient Display

Let’s start by setting up the basic CSS. The `#idBox` specifies the area where the gradient will be applied. While the size and margin are fixed values in this example, feel free to adjust them according to the needs of your project.

<style type="text/css" media="all">
<!--
body{
	margin: 0;
	padding: 0;
}
h1{
	text-align:center;
	font-size:18px;
	font-weight:bold;
	padding:15px 0;
}
#idBox{
	margin:0 auto;
	width:300px;
	height:300px;
}
-->
</style>

Implementing Gradient with jquery.gradient.js

Next, we will define the gradient using JavaScript. In this step, we will harness the power of jquery.gradient.js to significantly reduce the coding effort.
Load the jquery.min.js, jquery.dimensions.js, and jquery.gradient.js files. Use $(gradient display area).gradient({color, direction, length}) to specify options (such as color, direction, and length) for the gradient display area.

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.9.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="jquery.dimensions.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="jquery.gradient.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
$(document).ready(function(){
    $('#idBox').gradient({from:'FFFF66',to:'333333',direction:'horizontal',position:'top',length:300});
});
//-->
</script>

Defining the HTML Structure

The HTML structure for applying the gradient is very simple. Here, we use the `

<h1>Display Gradients Without Using Images</h1>
    
<div id="idBox"></div>