I'm preparing some maps of Mesoamerica (southern Mexico & northern Central America) for my father's latest book. I'm having some difficulty blending three different ranges of ocean depths. The attached .XAR file should serve as a good indication of what I'm working with. I've toyed with blending and contours but just cant seem to achieve what I'm looking for. I've also tried, unsuccessfully using feathering (the tool seems to feather all edges of the shape, which doesn't work well at the map edges). This image nicely indicates the type of visual blending (perhaps, using shades or tints of some named water-color) between ocean shapes that I'm hoping to get. Thanks for any and all help. :cool: