Announcement Announcement Module
Collapse
No announcement yet.
There must be an easier way... Page Title Module
Move Remove Collapse
Conversation Detail Module
Collapse
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • There must be an easier way...

    #1
    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?
    Attached Files
    "It's never too late to be who you might have been." - George Eliot
    Tags: None
  • #2
    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.
    Attached Files

    Comment

    • #3
      thanks Vikia!
      "It's never too late to be who you might have been." - George Eliot

      Comment

      • #4
        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.

        Comment

        • #5
          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.

          Comment

          • #6
            Cool - that's kind of like a Spirograph!

            Comment

            • #7
              cool, broacher you are a vector whiz.

              Comment

              • #8
                I was sure that there was a way to do it with a brush - that's it.

                Great tips, folks!
                "It's never too late to be who you might have been." - George Eliot

                Comment

                • #9
                  >>broacher you are a vector whiz<<

                  You should see me with edible cheese products.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Lmao!

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      aw, c'mere guys... big group hug!
                      "It's never too late to be who you might have been." - George Eliot

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by morea
                        aw, c'mere guys... big group hug!
                        MMmmmmwwwwaaaaaahhhhhahhHHH!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Now thats a smart way. Learned something.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            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.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Broacher

                              [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

                              Comment

                              Google search Google search Module
                              Collapse
                              Latest Topics Latest Topics Module
                              Collapse
                              See more
                              All Creative World Network All Creative World Network Module
                              Collapse
                              WebMediaBrands
                              Mediabistro | SemanticWeb | Inside Network
                              Jobs | Education | Research | Events | News
                              Advertise | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
                              Copyright WebMediaBrands Inc. All rights reserved.
                              Working...
                              X