How do I... ?

[Learning K]

I am sure I will have lots of questions, but here is my first one:

How do I color the background of a map?  I can drag an image, of course, or a texture from the library.  But what if I want just a plain color, or, better yet, a gradient of several colors?  I read what the documentation states, but I am not clear if I can do that, or how. 

I did a workaround by making a map with only a rectangle shape which had the background gradient I wanted.  I saved it as a JPG and dragged it to my working map, enlarging it, ignoring layout, and moving it to the back. 

Is there a simpler way?  Thanks.

[vilkka]

Use drawing ispector (easyest press cmd+1), mark Draw Fill checked, select simple gradient, solid or advanced gradient. Click color(s) it opens Color panel.  Notice you have not selected any topic but clicked backgroud before.

[Learning K]

That was easy.  Thanks.