Chapter 7 Working with Distortions, Gradient Meshes, Envelopes, and Blends

Objectives Edit colors and distort objects Work with gradient meshes Work with envelopes Create blends

Edit Colors and Distort Objects Illustrator provides a number of effects that you can use to alter the shape of an object. The Pucker & Bloat effect adjusts the segments between an object’s anchor points.

Edit Colors and Distort Objects Before Pucker effect After Pucker effect; segments appear curved inward Original shape of object is evident by bounding box

Edit Colors and Distort Objects The Bloat effect is achieved by moving the segments outward and the anchor points inward.

Edit Colors and Distort Objects Before Bloat effect After Bloat effect— segments are moved outward

Edit Colors and Distort Objects The Twist effect rotates an object more sharply in the center than it does at the edges, creating a whirlpool effect.

Edit Colors and Distort Objects Before Twist effect After Twist effect; center is rotated more than edges

Edit Colors and Distort Objects The Edit Colors commands on the Edit menu are very useful for quickly applying color changes to objects. The changes are applied directly to the objects; they are not effects.

Edit Colors and Distort Objects You can saturate colors or desaturate colors in an illustration. You can also use the Convert to Grayscale and Blend Front to Back commands.

Edit Colors and Distort Objects Blend Colors Front to Back

Edit Colors and Distort Objects © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Saturate filter intensifies color Convert to Grayscale filter removes all chromatic color

Work with Gradient Meshes The Mesh tool and the Create Gradient Mesh command can be used to transform a basic object into a mesh object. A mesh object is a single, multicolored object in which colors can flow in different directions, and colors transition gradually from point to point.

Work with Gradient Meshes When you create mesh objects, multiple mesh lines crisscross the object. Mesh points are diamond-shaped and work like anchor points. – Can be assigned a color – When assigned, color flows outward from point

Work with Gradient Meshes Area between four mesh points is a mesh patch. Apply color to all four mesh points simultaneously by applying color to patch. Mesh line Mesh patch Mesh line Mesh point

Work with Gradient Meshes You can apply opacity settings to a mesh point on a gradient mesh. Select one or more points on the mesh, then drag the slider in the Transparency panel.

Work with Gradient Meshes Mesh points can be added, deleted, and moved along mesh line without altering mesh shape. Manipulate anchor points’ direction lines to alter shape of mesh.

Work with Gradient Meshes The shape of the mesh is manipulated by direction lines. Mesh points can be moved, just like anchor points.

Work with Gradient Meshes You can create a mesh object from any path. You cannot create a mesh from compound paths or text objects. Use the Mesh tool or apply the Create Gradient Mesh command.

Work with Gradient Meshes The Create Gradient Mesh command creates a mesh object with regularly spaced mesh lines and mesh points.

Work with Gradient Meshes Create Gradient Mesh dialog box Mesh object deselected

Work with Gradient Meshes Once you create a mesh object it can’t be converted back. Complex mesh objects are a memory drain and may effect computer performance. – Better to create a few simple mesh objects rather then a single complex one

Work with Gradient Meshes Mesh points at the edge of the objects are filled with black Three interior mesh points darkened

Work with Envelopes Envelopes are objects used to distort selected objects. Objects take on shape of envelope object.

Work with Envelopes Make envelopes with: Objects you create Preset wrap shapes Mesh objects Use envelopes with compound paths, text objects, meshes, and blends.

Work with Envelopes Object to be distorted Top object to be used as an envelope Resulting envelope effect

Work with Envelopes Create envelopes with top objects, meshes, and wraps. Create an envelope by using the Envelope Distort command on the Object menu.

Work with Envelopes Make with Warp – 15 premade shapes Make with Mesh – same as gradient. meshes made with Mesh Tool. Make with Top Object – top most selected object.

Work with Envelopes An envelope created using a warp.

Work with Envelopes Envelopes can distort objects with linear gradient fills or pattern fills. Click the Distort Linear Gradients or Distort Pattern Fills in Envelope Options dialog box to activate.

Work with Envelopes Set options in the Envelope Options dialog box.

Create Blends A blend is a series of intermediate objects and colors between two or more selected objects.

Create Blends Blends are created with: – Blending tool or – Make Blend command

Create Blends Make blends between: – two open paths – two closed paths – objects filled with gradients – blends

Create Blends The fewer the number of steps in a blend, the more distinct each object will be. A large number of steps creates the illusion of being continuous or “smooth.”

Create Blends In Blend Options dialog box select – Specified Steps – Specified Distance – Smooth Color – default option

Create Blends You can create a simple blend between open paths. You can create color effects with a blend and a mask. Chrome letters created with a blend and a mask

Create Blends You can apply blends to paths.

Create Blends Affect the appearance of a blend by manipulating its spine. When blend created, path is drawn between starting and ending objects – referred to as spine and manipulated like a path.

Create Blends Examples: – Add anchor points to spine with Pen tool, then move them with Direct Selection tool – Spine can be replaced by drawing a path with Pen tool, then select it along with any blend and apply the Replace Spine command

Create Blends Anchor point added and then dragged down to alter blended spine