in illustrator you can set the line to be the weight you want it (.1, .25, 1pt etc) then under object>path>convert to fill. now the line is a fill object and you can make the fill either a linear or radial gradient, then just use the gradient slider to set angle, color etc. hope this helps

couldnt you just splice the line up into segments and make the weight smaller and smaller as it goes further back?

best line gradient though is the white pony while I am chasing it

rob(E) i couldnt seem to find the "convert fill" option...is the path you gave for CS4? thanks man

is it possible to create something like this:

lllllll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l llllll

without drawing and manually separating the lines

try using a blend in illustrator--set to specified steps, not continuous color--you can at least vary the size of your symbol (above)--not sure about the spacing

LML - thanks i think this will work

hey, sorry ronco i had in my mind you wanted a gradient of color on a line, not a gradient dash. the path i speced was for cs3, lemme double check it...ok...sorry its object>path>outline stroke. This allows you to then change the fill of the line to a gradient. Again this works for color not dashing as the line is not really a line any more. Hope this helps, other wise, blending as LML said should work for what you are showing above.