There must be an easier way...

[morea]

I am trying to create a patterned effect in Illustrator sort of like this image (attached) but I don't want to have to place each of the small circles because I am sure that there is a more accurate, less frustrating way.

I want the little circles to overlap all the way around the larger circle. Anybody know a better way?

[Vikia]

Okay, I solved it this way.

I created two circles across from each other and grouped them.

I opened the Actions Menu and made a new action to record.
I copied the group and pasted in front (command-f).
I transformed the newly pasted by rotating it 5 degrees.
I stopped recording.

Then I replayed the recording by clicking the play button, which then creates and rotates the objects.

[morea]

thanks Vikia!

[Vikia]

As EC knows, my favorite saying is "if it takes longer than ten minutes to do... there must be software solution somewhere" and if you don't have a script...make one.

[Broacher]

Another (non-script) route using keyboard shortcut:

Rotate tool. Click to set rotation point. Alt-drag circle, use Object/Transform Again-- be sure to assign a keyboard shortcut to this, and then just repeat the keystroke.

[cough] One of the great things with Corel's Grouping tool is that you can map a group to a path--including a circle, for example. Working with groups allows you to change the number of objects at any time.

Another route for AI users? Drop the little circle into the Brush palette as a Scatter Brush. Apply this brush to the big circle, with Scattering set to zero and fixed. This is neat because you can scale and adjust scaling, spacing and position relative to path (the Scattering command on fixed) while previewing it within the Scatter Brush Options. If you're using a different shape-- say a triangle, you can also control the rotation to path to have it point the same way.

[Vikia]

Cool - that's kind of like a Spirograph!

[keith1]

cool, broacher you are a vector whiz.

[morea]

I was sure that there was a way to do it with a brush - that's it.

Great tips, folks!

[Broacher]

>>broacher you are a vector whiz<<

You should see me with edible cheese products.

[D-Zine]

Lmao!

[morea]

aw, c'mere guys... big group hug! http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/love/1/love28.gif

[Vikia]

aw, c'mere guys... big group hug! http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/love/1/love28.gif

MMmmmmwwwwaaaaaahhhhhahhHHH!

[Takayuki]

Now thats a smart way. Learned something.

[Broacher]

With Corel, I can also take a blended group of the small circles and blend it along a larger circle path. That way I get equal spacing, and I can adjust the spacing (if I use a clone to create the blend control objects, I can also control the sizing, colour, rotation, etc.).

Now in AI, I can use 'Blend/Replace Spine' to do almost the same thing-- except I don't know of a way to distribute the circles equally, automatically along the big path. Is there a way? I'm curious.

[Rkn]

[cough] One of the great things with Corel's Grouping tool is that you can map a group to a path--including a circle, for example. Working with groups allows you to change the number of objects at any time.

Whoa! That's awesome. I love learning stuff like this :)

[Broacher]

Corel's grouping commands haven't really changed in over 10 years, but they still beat AI'blends. (IMHO). It also allows for the creation of 'split blends' which essentially creates sub-blends. I like using clones of my base object (in this case, the small circle) to create my blend groups with because then if I want to change the size of the circle, the fill or outline, or any distortion, I just do that to the master object outside of the group and it automatically refreshes. Kind of like AI's symbols (Corel also has these as well) but far simpler and intuitive to use, without any palettes opening and such. Of course, you can create your master objects with Graphic styles (prior to cloning), and even use colour styles to give you complete editable, post-grouping control on fill, outline, transforms. I find a fundamental difference between AI and Draw is that AI's UI designers depend much more heavily on palette funtionality, whereas Corel's UI designers go for on-object interactivity, and avoiding palette reliance whenever possible. Oh, btw, all this stuff (with the exception of Corel's symbols) has been in Corel since... at least version 5, which has to be 10 years back by now.

[cbscreative]

Way to say it Broacher. It just proves there are real graphic artists who know how to use the tools of the big boys, but still recognize that Corel is a serious design program. I like Corel for it's quick interactive tools, yet when you need precision, those tools are available as well. For those who like the palettes and panels, the dockers in the Window menu will provide the precise controls, while the interactive tools are quick and easy. It's great to have the choice, and like Broacher says, these options have been there for years.

www.cbscreative.com