Adobe Illustrator CS4 bible phần 4 docx

200 Illustrator Basics Part I FIGURE 6.18 A path being reshaped using the Reshape tool Cleaning up a path Clean Up removes three unwanted elements from Illustrator documents: stray points, unpainted objects, and empty text paths. Clean Up works on the entire document, regardless of what is selected. You apply this command by choosing Object ➪ Path ➪ Clean Up. The Clean Up dialog box is shown in Figure 6.19. NOTE NOTE Clean Up doesn’t work on locked or hidden paths, paths turned into guides, or paths on locked or hidden layers. These are the Delete options in the Clean Up dialog box:  Stray Points: Selects and deletes any little points flying around. These points can cause all sorts of trouble, as a point can have paint attributes but can’t print. This option actu- ally deletes the points. NOTE NOTE Select All Stray Points under the Select menu selects the points, but you have to press Backspace or Delete to delete them. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20009_345191-ch06.indd 200 10/24/08 11:19:49 AM10/24/08 11:19:49 AM 201 Learning How to Select and Edit 6  Unpainted Objects: Eliminates any paths that are filled and stroked with None and that aren’t masks (masks always have fills and strokes of None)  Empty Text Paths: Finds any text paths with no characters and then deletes them FIGURE 6.19 Use the Clean Up dialog box to specify what elements you want to clean up. NOTE NOTE Empty Text Paths isn’t the same as the old Revert Text Paths from previous Illustrator versions, which changed empty text paths back into standard paths. CROSS-REF CROSS-REF For more on text paths, see Chapter 9. If you aren’t sure whether your document contains these three items, run Clean Up. If none of these items are found, a message box, as shown in Figure 6.20, appears and tells you so. FIGURE 6.20 This message tells you that there was nothing to clean up in your document. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20109_345191-ch06.indd 201 10/24/08 11:19:50 AM10/24/08 11:19:50 AM 202 Illustrator Basics Part I Offsetting a path Offset Path, which you access by choosing Object ➪ Path ➪ Offset Path, draws a new path around the outside or inside of an existing path. The distance from the existing path is the distance that you specify in the Offset Path dialog box, which is shown in Figure 6.21. In a sense, you’re creat- ing a stroke, outlining it, and uniting it with the original — all in one action. You can specify the distance the path is to be offset by typing a value in the Offset box. FIGURE 6.21 Use the Offset Path dialog box to specify how to create the new offset path. A positive number in the Offset Path dialog box creates the new path outside the existing path, and a negative number creates the new path inside the existing path. When the path is closed, figuring out where Illustrator will create the new path is easy. When working with an open path — such as a vertical line — the outside is the left side of the path and the inside is the right side of the path. The Joins option allows you to select from different types of joins (which I discuss later in this chapter) at the corners of the new path. The choices are Miter, Round, and Bevel, and the result is the same effect that you get if you choose those options as the stroke style for a stroke. The Miter limit affects the miter size only when you select the Miter option from the Joins drop- down list (popup menu). However, the option is available when you select Round and Bevel joins. Just ignore the Miter limit when you’re using Round or Bevel joins. (You can’t use a value that’s less than 1.) Often, when you’re offsetting a path, the new, resulting path overlaps itself. This creates small, undesirable bumps in a path. If the bumps are within a closed-path area, select the new path and then choose Unite from the Pathfinder panel. If the bumps are outside the closed-path area, choose Divide from the Pathfinder panel and then select and delete each of the bumps. TIP TIP If you’re thinking of using the Scale tool rather than Offset Path, you should know that the Scale tool does something totally different from Offset Path. Offset Path offsets lines around the original path equally. The Scale tool enlarges or reduces the path but doesn’t add lines. Unless you’re using a perfect square or circle, stick to Offset Path. That way, you get an even placement of the new path accurately around or inside the selected path. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20209_345191-ch06.indd 202 10/24/08 11:19:52 AM10/24/08 11:19:52 AM 203 Learning How to Select and Edit 6 Outlining a path Outline Path creates a path around an existing path’s stroke. The width of the new path is directly related to the width of the stroke. I use Outline Path for two reasons. The first and most obvious reason is to fill a stroke with a gra- dient. The second reason is that when you transform an outlined stroke, the effect is often different from the effect that results from transforming a stroked path. Scaling an outlined stroke changes the width of the stroke in the direction of the scale. The same is true when using the Free Distort effect (Effect ➪ Distort & Transform ➪ Free Distort), which also changes the width of the stroke in the direction of the scale. This sometimes results in a nonuniform-appearing stroke, which can’t be achieved with a standard stroke. Figure 6.22 shows the difference between transforming/distorting a stroked path and an outlined stroke. Both copies were scaled vertically to more clearly demon- strate the different behaviors. With the stroked path, the transformation results in the stroke expanding far beyond the fill, while with the outlined stroke, the two remain in sync. Consider these options for outlining a path:  The End and Join attributes of the stroke’s style determine how the ends and joins of the resulting stroke look.  Outline Path creates problems for tight corners. It causes overlaps that are similar to those generated by Offset Path. CAUTION CAUTION Using a Dash pattern on the stroke and using Outline Path changes the stroke back to a solid line and then outlines it. Looking under the Effect menu, you find a Path effect with the following options: Offset Path, Outline Object, and Outline Stroke. These are the same as what is found by choosing Object ➪ Path. However, under Effect, you can always go back and edit the options. Choosing the Path functions from under the Object menu has a more permanent result. CROSS-REF CROSS-REF For more on the Effect menu, see Chapter 15. Aligning and distributing points Aligning and equally distributing points is very similar to aligning and distributing objects, except that you use the Direct Selection tool to select the points you want to align or distribute. After the points are selected, clicking the appropriate icon in the Control panel aligns or distributes the points, as shown in Figure 6.23. You can also align points by using the Average commands. CROSS-REF CROSS-REF For more on the Align and Distribute buttons, see Chapter 8. CAUTION CAUTION If you want to align all the points on a path horizontally or vertically, use the Average function (Object ➪ Path ➪ Average). 09_345191-ch06.indd 20309_345191-ch06.indd 203 10/24/08 11:19:53 AM10/24/08 11:19:53 AM 204 Illustrator Basics Part I FIGURE 6.22 Both of these paths have been stretched vertically using the Scale tool. The original stroked path is on the left. The path on the right was outlined via Outline Path prior to being scaled. To average points vertically, choose the Vertical option in the Average dialog box, as shown in Figure 6.24. To average points both vertically and horizontally, choose Both. The Both option places all selected points on top of each other. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20409_345191-ch06.indd 204 10/24/08 11:19:55 AM10/24/08 11:19:55 AM 205 Learning How to Select and Edit 6 FIGURE 6.23 The path on top is the original one. The path below is what happens when all the points in the path are horizontally aligned (control handles create the bumpiness of the path). FIGURE 6.24 The Average dialog box lets you select Horizontal, Vertical, or Both. When averaging points using the Average dialog box, Illustrator uses the mean method to deter- mine the center. No, Illustrator isn’t nasty to the points that it averages; rather, Illustrator adds together the coordinates of the points and then divides by the number of points. This provides the mean location of the center of the points. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20509_345191-ch06.indd 205 10/24/08 11:19:56 AM10/24/08 11:19:56 AM 206 Illustrator Basics Part I Joining Joining is a tricky area to define. Illustrator’s Join feature does two entirely different things. It joins two endpoints at different locations with a line segment, and it also combines two anchor points into one when they’re placed on top of each other. To join two endpoints with a line segment, select just two endpoints in different locations (not on top of each other) with the Direct Selection tool and then choose Object ➪ Path ➪ Join or press Ctrl+J (Ô+J). Illustrator forms a line segment between the two points, resulting in a closed path, as shown in Figure 6.25. FIGURE 6.25 Join two endpoints with a line segment using the Object ➪ Path ➪ Join command. To combine two endpoints into a single anchor point, select the two points that are directly over one another and then choose Object ➪ Path ➪ Join or press Ctrl+J (Ô+J). Not only can you join two sepa- rate paths, but you can also join together the endpoints on the same open path (overlapping end- points) to create a closed path in the same way that two endpoints from different paths are joined. To ensure that endpoints are overlapping, drag one endpoint to the other with a selection tool. When the two points are close enough, the arrowhead cursor (normally black) becomes hollow (or white). Release the mouse button when the arrowhead is hollow, and Illustrator places the two points on top of each other. Another way to ensure that the endpoints are overlapping is to select them and then choose Object ➪ Path ➪ Average or press Alt+Ctrl+J (Option+Ô+J). Next, select the Both option in the Average dialog box. CAUTION CAUTION When creating an anchor point out of two overlapping endpoints, ensure that the two points are precisely overlapping. If they’re even the smallest distance apart, a line segment is drawn between the two points instead of transforming the two endpoints into a single anchor point. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20609_345191-ch06.indd 206 10/24/08 11:19:56 AM10/24/08 11:19:56 AM 207 Learning How to Select and Edit 6 Joining has these limitations:  Joins can’t take place when one path is part of a different group than the other path. If the two paths are in the same base group (that is, not in any other groups before being grouped to the other path, even grouped by themselves), the endpoints can be joined.  If one path is grouped to another object and the other object has not been previously grouped to the path, the endpoints won’t join.  The endpoints on text paths can’t be joined.  The endpoints of guides can’t be joined. If all the points in an open path are selected (as if the path is selected with the Selection tool), then choosing Object ➪ Path ➪ Join or pressing Ctrl+J (Ô+J) automatically joins the endpoints. If the two endpoints are located on top of each other, the Join dialog box opens asking whether the new anchor point should be a smooth point or a corner point. Joining is also useful for determining the location of endpoints when the endpoints are overlap- ping. Select the entire path, choose Object ➪ Path ➪ Join or press Ctrl+J (Ô+J), and then click the Smooth radio button. These steps usually alter one of the two segments on either side of the new anchor point. Undo the join, and you know the location of the overlapping endpoints. TIP TIP If you’re having trouble joining two open paths, ensure that they’re not grouped. You can’t join grouped paths. Converting Anchor Points The Convert Anchor Point tool converts anchor points only by adjusting control handles. The Convert Anchor Point tool works differently with each type of anchor point. CROSS-REF CROSS-REF For detailed definitions of the four types of anchor points and how they’re drawn with the Pen tool, see Chapter 4. You can use the Convert Anchor Point tool either on extended control handles or on anchor points. When there are two control handles on an anchor point, clicking either control handle with the Convert Anchor Point tool does two things:  It breaks the linked control handles so that when the angle of one is changed, the other is also not changed. As a result, the two handles can be dragged to different angles.  It makes them independent so that the control handle’s length from the anchor point and the angle can be altered individually. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20709_345191-ch06.indd 207 10/24/08 11:19:57 AM10/24/08 11:19:57 AM 208 Illustrator Basics Part I Converting Smooth Points Smooth points can be changed into the other three types of anchor points by using the Direct Selection and the Convert Anchor Point tools:  To convert smooth points into straight corner points, click once with the Convert Anchor Point tool on the anchor point.  To convert smooth points into combination corner points, use the Direct Selection tool or the Convert Anchor Point tool to drag one control handle into the anchor point.  To convert smooth points into curved corner points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to drag one of the control handles. After being dragged with the Convert Anchor Point tool, the two control handles become independent of each other (the movement of one won’t affect the other). The following steps show you how you can use the Direct Selection and Convert Anchor Point tools to change shapes — in this case, from a circle to a rhombus or diamond shape: 1. Draw a circle with the Ellipse tool. Remember to keep Shift pressed so you end up with a perfect circle. 2. Click the Convert Anchor Point tool. 3. Click each of the anchor points and then release. This converts the smooth anchor points to corner anchor points. The rhombus (diamond shape) should look like the illus- tration in Figure 6.26. FIGURE 6.26 Convert the circle (left) to a diamond (right) by clicking each anchor point with the Convert Anchor Point tool. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20809_345191-ch06.indd 208 10/24/08 11:19:57 AM10/24/08 11:19:57 AM 209 Learning How to Select and Edit 6 Converting straight corner points You can change straight corner points into one of the other three types of anchor points by using the Convert Anchor Point and Direct Selection tools:  To convert straight corner points into smooth points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to click and drag on the anchor point. As you drag, linked control handles appear on both sides of the anchor point.  To convert straight corner points into combination corner points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to click and drag on the anchor point. As you drag, linked control han- dles appear on both sides of the anchor point. Select one of the control handles with the Convert Anchor Point tool or the Direct Selection tool and drag it toward the anchor point until it disappears.  To convert straight corner points into curved corner points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to click and drag on the anchor point. As you drag, linked control handles appear on both sides of the anchor point. Then, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to drag one of the control handles. After being dragged with the Convert Anchor Point tool, the two control handles become independent of each other. Converting combination corner points You can change combination corner points into one of the other three types of anchor points by using the Convert Direction Point and Direct Selection tools:  To convert combination corner points into smooth points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to click and drag on the anchor point. As you drag, linked control handles appear on both sides of the anchor point.  To convert combination corner points into straight corner points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to click once on the anchor point. The control handle disappears.  To convert combination corner points into curved corner points, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to click and drag the anchor point. As you drag, linked control handles appear on both sides of the anchor point. Then, use the Convert Anchor Point tool to drag one of the control handles. After being dragged with the Convert Anchor Point tool, the two control handles become independent of each other. The following steps are another example of how you can change shapes using the Direct Selection and Convert Anchor Point tools — this time, changing a circle into a heart: 1. Draw a circle with the Ellipse tool. Remember to keep Shift pressed so that you end up with a perfect circle. 2. Click the lowest point on the circle with the Direct Selection tool. 3. Click the right control handle of that anchor point and then drag it up using your eye to judge the heart shape. 09_345191-ch06.indd 20909_345191-ch06.indd 209 10/24/08 11:19:57 AM10/24/08 11:19:57 AM [...]... Pathfinder panel Illustrator deletes everything outside the cropper The objects that were cropped are grouped together in the shape of the crop Unlike masks, there’s no outside shape after a crop is made The cropper used to crop the image is deleted when Crop is chosen If there was a stroke on the cropping path, it disappears, as shown in Figure 6. 34 217 6 Part I Illustrator Basics FIGURE 6. 34 The artwork... objects CROSS-REF 2 34 For more on the Live Paint Bucket tool, see Chapter 14 For more on Live Trace, see Chapter 13 Understanding Color, Gradients, and Mesh FIGURE 7.13 The Eyedropper Options dialog box allows you to fine-tune the operation of the Eyedropper tool Using Transparency Transparency has changed the face of Illustrator Being able to apply transparent live effects to any object in Illustrator is... different paper-stretching errors For example, typing the maximum, 40 0%, widens the horizontal thickness of the stroke to four times the amount set in the Thickness text field and leaves the vertical thickness the same 4 Type a Tint reduction value that specifies how much the lighter of the two colors should be tinted on that area 219 6 Part I Illustrator Basics 5 Click the Traps with Process Color check... upper-right corner of the panel to access this popup menu 3 Click and drag the swatches to the main Swatches panel or double-click the swatch Illustrator saves the main Swatches panel with your document You can customize a panel for a specific document or edit the Adobe Illustrator Startup document’s Swatches panel to use a certain set of colors in each new document you create Otherwise, these swatch libraries... use the Direct Selection tool to drag one control handle into the anchor point 210 Learning How to Select and Edit Using Illustrator s Pathfinder Functions The most powerful path functions in Illustrator are in the Pathfinder panel They do tasks that would take hours to do using Illustrator s traditional tools and methods The only drawback to the Pathfinder panel is that there are so many options that... stained-glass effects, mix color effects, and so much more You can apply transparency to objects, groups of objects, or a whole layer In Illustrator, you apply transparency in the Transparency panel (shown in Figure 7. 14) If the Transparency panel isn’t showing when you start up Illustrator, choose Window ➪ Transparency To see the options available in the Transparency panel, click the upper-right triangle... can type a specific swatch name to search for in the Swatches panel 2 24 Understanding Color, Gradients, and Mesh The View options: You can also view the swatches in small, medium, or large thumbnail squares or view all the swatches in a small or large list, with names if they have them These different modes are shown in Figure 7 .4 Swatch Options: Selecting this option displays the Swatch Options for... Files Use this option if you’re working with a group of people who all need to be using the same color swatches FIGURE 7.3 The Swatches popup menu provides additional options 225 7 Part I Illustrator Basics FIGURE 7 .4 The five ways you can view the Swatches panel: small, medium, or large thumbnails (top row) or small or large lists Using other swatch libraries In addition to the standard Swatch Library... Choose the Merge option in the Pathfinder panel Illustrator removes all overlapped paths, leaving only the paths that have nothing in front of them All adjacent areas that contain identical colors are united Cropping paths The Crop button works in much the same way as masks work, except that anything outside the cropped area is deleted, not just masked Figure 6. 34 shows the original objects on the left and... libraries 227 7 Part I Illustrator Basics FIGURE 7.6 Three swatch libraries: Fruits and Vegetables, Pastels, and Water Using color space options in the Color panel The Color panel provides basic color selection via the Color Ramp along the bottom of the panel and more precise control via sliders and percentage entries in Grayscale, RGB, HSB, CMYK, and Web Safe RGB Most users of Illustrator use either . disappears, as shown in Figure 6. 34. 09_ 345 191-ch06.indd 21709_ 345 191-ch06.indd 217 10/ 24/ 08 11:20: 04 AM10/ 24/ 08 11:20: 04 AM 218 Illustrator Basics Part I FIGURE 6. 34 The artwork (left) before and. the Average function (Object ➪ Path ➪ Average). 09_ 345 191-ch06.indd 20309_ 345 191-ch06.indd 203 10/ 24/ 08 11:19:53 AM10/ 24/ 08 11:19:53 AM 2 04 Illustrator Basics Part I FIGURE 6.22 Both of these. 6. 24. To average points both vertically and horizontally, choose Both. The Both option places all selected points on top of each other. 09_ 345 191-ch06.indd 2 040 9_ 345 191-ch06.indd 2 04 10/ 24/ 08