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jmilin5931
09-28-2006, 05:29 PM
I see these vector designs, and I think theyre pretty cool. Alone, I'm not really sure what they are used for, but some of the techniques can be implemented to accent other projects.
The main thing I'm wondering is... Is there a more efficient way to make the long line strokes that seem to change diameter without creating a shape with the pen tool and filling it in to get the change in thickness? Like is there some way I could just use the pen tool and create a path, then change the thinkness of the path at certian points? It is very hard to draw that many lines by making them shapes and filling them with a color. I hope this is clear. Any help on this kind of design technique would be appreciated. Thanks guys!
shellebelle
09-28-2006, 05:33 PM
You can, in theory, just use the pen tool to draw a single stroke with a weight roughly what you want the final thickness to be. Then outline it and adjust the anchor points manually. You have to be pretty comfortable with the direct selection and pen tools, but those are fairly easy to learn if you aren't already familiar with them.
I've used this method a few times with fairly decent success.
activeseven
09-28-2006, 05:41 PM
Long thin lines like that aren't difficult. Its just one stroke with a pen tool
You can also use a custom brush to outline the stroke.
I would do it Shelle's way, though, for accuracy. Either that, or make an path, stroke it with the broad width you want, outline it, then make a copy (ALT/OPT-click and drag) of the path and position it where it'll cut off the path towards the thin end. Select both paths, and ALT/OPT-click on the Subtract icon in your pathfinder palette (second path should be on top).
Danger_Mouse
09-28-2006, 06:09 PM
Here's another way you may want to try. Alows for Smooth transitions.
Using elipses and some smooth shapes with box areas so you can "cut" them up.
jmilin5931
09-28-2006, 06:13 PM
Long thin lines like that aren't difficult. Its just one stroke with a pen tool
I know how to draw a thin line. I'm trying to make that line change thickness a few times throughout the path smoothly...
jmilin5931
09-28-2006, 06:14 PM
Here's another way you may want to try. Alows for Smooth transitions.
Using elipses and some smooth shapes with box areas so you can "cut" them up.
I like that. i don't know why I didnt think of that. Thanks.
Here's another way you may want to try. Alows for Smooth transitions.
Using elipses and some smooth shapes with box areas so you can "cut" them up.
That's sort of what I was getting at, but you showed it much better. :)
Danger_Mouse
09-28-2006, 06:57 PM
yeah I reread yours, does the same thing really. I just use the divide tool more.
Another trick I think is handy ....
Yeah, that is very handy, DM. Thanks for sharing that!
Danger_Mouse
09-28-2006, 07:30 PM
you don't have to go into the pathfinder options everytime you do it either. Only everytime you restart illy.
yeah I reread yours, does the same thing really. I just use the divide tool more.
Another trick I think is handy ....
Maybe I'm missing something, but doesn't option+clicking "crop" achieve the same thing?
D-Frag
09-28-2006, 11:13 PM
alot of those shapes that you posted in that pic are usually brushes you can download for photoshop. one trick I like to use is make a whole image of just brush shapes, posterize them in photoshop (or design them in black and white) place it in Illy CS2 and auto trace. Alot of those flowers and leaves are easily implemented. I could probably do that whole piece in under 20 minutes.
Yeah, that would probably be the easiest way around that.
Myself, I would draw it in Illy, using symbols to avoid duplicating work.
CamDesign
09-28-2006, 11:54 PM
I bought a dover ornament book. (http://www.amazon.com/Decorative-Ornaments-CD-ROM-Dover-Electronic/dp/0486999807/sr=8-1/qid=1159487510/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-2001765-2300007?ie=UTF8&s=books)
the electronic files it comes with are pretty crappy, they arent vector. But you can enlarge them and use live trace, then smooth them out with the smooth pencil. its a pretty simple process, once you get it down it take no time at all. At first I thought this was a bust, but then I figured it out, now I can get almost all the ornaments out of it without a problem, I'd be willing to bet a good amount that books like these are one of the primary ways the pro's do it.
Danger_Mouse
09-29-2006, 01:59 AM
Maybe I'm missing something, but doesn't option+clicking "crop" achieve the same thing?
well would ya look at that....awesome!..but it doesn't do the same thing either. Still extra shapes inside (try changing the fill).
The other metheod you are left with only the stars, no other shapes.
Each achieves something slightly different.
...place it in Illy CS2 and auto trace
I can't be friends with auto trace....just doesn't do the job as good as I would like. By time done doing your tweaking I could have drawn a perfect shape with pen tool. But Im pretty fast.
carter the artist
09-29-2006, 02:33 AM
Cam,
yeah I bought one of those books because I wanted to try my hand at this style, I really love it. I bought the book because it claimed to have eps files. I thought, wow, line art. NO, but you are right the autotrace actually works on these, because the res is high enough, and they are black on white.
Cam,
yeah I bought one of those books because I wanted to try my hand at this style, I really love it. I bought the book because it claimed to have eps files.
Let me guess, they must've done what so many clients do - provide you with rasterized EPS files? :(
carter the artist
09-29-2006, 04:50 AM
Let me guess, they must've done what so many clients do - provide you with rasterized EPS files? :(
Exactamundo.
BJMRamage
09-29-2006, 01:10 PM
recently I created a brush using a triangular shape and shen ever I drew a line it started out thick and ended small. bad thing is short lines don't look good mixed with longer, but if all your lines are similar in length then you should be fine.
Danger_Mouse
09-29-2006, 01:18 PM
Let me guess, they must've done what so many clients do - provide you with rasterized EPS files?
LOL
Hey at least the metheod works.
I also have never needed to create a brush, I will have to try that.
well would ya look at that....awesome!..but it doesn't do the same thing either. Still extra shapes inside (try changing the fill).
The other metheod you are left with only the stars, no other shapes.
Each achieves something slightly different.
Yeah, crop leaves an empty contour that I was just used to deleting. I've never changed the pathfinder options, but now that I know I'll definitely transition it into my workflow. Thanks for the heads up.
muffin
10-09-2006, 02:34 PM
i am not sure, but can't you just adjust the Pressure variable on the Brush tool before you stroke?
this may not give a very clean look however.
Malaclypse
10-09-2006, 03:20 PM
The cheap and easy way to make tapered strokes is to use a custom brush - make a triangle, ellipse, teardrop, or 'eye' shape and turn it into an art brush. Apply to strokes. Adjust stroke size as necessary. Expand stroke for finally tweaking and/or to hide your shortcut.
This method works great for tapered strokes, but not so well for varying width strokes (like pinstriping).