Drawing Basic Vector Objects
| Back in Chapter 2, "So Many Applications: Which One to Use?" we discussed the underlying basics of vector graphics. Now you'll learn how to draw them. We begin with drawing closed paths, and then we move on to drawing open paths. Finally, we discuss how to edit existing vector paths and objects. Drawing Closed Vectors: ShapesIllustrator can draw primitive shapes quite easily, and several shape tools enable you to create rectangles, ellipses (circles and ovals), polygons (multisided shapes), and stars. We go through each of these tools and how they are used, but, of course, the best way to get to know them is to launch Illustrator and try them for yourself. One thing you'll notice, though, as you read through the remainder of this chapter, is that there are usually several ways to accomplish the same task. This is true for most of the functionality you'll find in Illustrator. As you become more familiar with Illustrator, you'll get a better feel for which method makes the most sense for a specific purpose. Finally, as you'll see, most of Illustrator's drawing tools are dynamic, in that you can press certain keys on your keyboard to change certain aspects of the shape as you are drawing it. The Rectangle ToolTo draw a rectangle, choose the Rectangle tool (see Figure 7.10) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the shape you are drawing:
Figure 7.10. Choosing the Rectangle tool.
To draw a rectangle numerically, choose the Rectangle tool and click once on your artboard to get the Rectangle dialog box (see Figure 7.11). Enter a value for the width and height, and click OK. To draw a rectangle numerically from its center, press and hold the Option (Alt) key while you click once on the artboard. Figure 7.11. The Rectangle dialog box.
The Rounded Rectangle ToolTo draw a rounded rectangle (in which the corners of the rectangle are rounded), choose the Rounded Rectangle tool (see Figure 7.12) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the shape you are drawing:
Figure 7.12. Choosing the Rounded Rectangle tool.
To draw a rounded rectangle numerically, choose the Rounded Rectangle tool and click once on your artboard to get the Rounded Rectangle dialog box (see Figure 7.13). Enter a value for the width, height, and corner radius, and click OK. To draw a rounded rectangle numerically from its center, press and hold the Option (Alt) key while you click once on the artboard. Figure 7.13. The Rounded Rectangle dialog box.
Did you Know? You can use the Rounded Corners live effect to apply rounded corners to any vector object, with an added benefit that you can make adjustments to the Corner Radius setting at any time. We cover this live effect later in the chapter. The Ellipse ToolTo draw an ellipse (a.k.a. oval), choose the Ellipse tool (see Figure 7.14) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the shape you are drawing:
Figure 7.14. Choosing the Ellipse tool.
To draw an ellipse numerically, choose the Ellipse tool and click once on your artboard to get the Ellipse dialog box (see Figure 7.15). Enter a value for the width and height, and click OK. To draw an ellipse numerically from its center, press and hold the Option (Alt) key while you click once on the artboard. Figure 7.15. The Ellipse dialog box.
The Polygon ToolThe Polygon tool in Illustrator is a bit disconcerting. A real polygon is simply a closed shape with more than three sides. In Illustrator, the Polygon tool can create only closed shapes with three or more sides, but in which all the sides are equal in length. To draw a polygon, choose the Polygon tool (see Figure 7.16), and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. A polygon is always drawn outward from its center. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the shape you are drawing:
Figure 7.16. Choosing the Polygon tool.
To draw a polygon numerically, choose the Polygon tool and click once on your artboard to get the Polygon dialog box (see Figure 7.17). Enter a value for the radius and the number of sides, and click OK. Figure 7.17. The Polygon dialog box.
Did you Know? Need to draw a quick triangle? You can use the Polygon tool to create an equilateral triangle in an instant. The Star ToolThe Star tool in Illustrator can be quite useful for creating starbursts to call out specific items in a design. To draw a star, choose the Star tool (see Figure 7.18) and click and drag the mouse on your artboard. A star is always drawn out from its center. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the shape you are drawing:
Figure 7.18. Choosing the Star tool.
To draw a star numerically, choose the Star tool and click once on your artboard to get the Star dialog box (see Figure 7.19). Enter a value for Radius 1 and Radius 2, enter the number of points, and click OK. Figure 7.19. The Star dialog box.
Drawing Open Vectors: PathsAlthough drawing complete shapes is something just about everyone needs to do inside of Illustrator, it's equally important to create open-ended paths. Illustrator has several tools for creating these kinds of paths and, as you'll see, different ways to edit them as well. The Line ToolTo draw a straight line, choose the Line Segment tool (see Figure 7.20) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the path you are drawing:
Figure 7.20. Choosing the Line Segment tool.
To draw a line numerically, choose the Line tool and click once on your artboard to get the Line Segment Tool Options dialog box (see Figure 7.21). Enter a value for the length and the angle, and click OK. Figure 7.21. The Line Segment Tool Options dialog box.
The Arc ToolTo draw an arc, choose the Arc tool (see Figure 7.22) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the path you are drawing:
Figure 7.22. Choosing the Arc tool.
To draw an arc numerically, choose the Arc tool and click once on your artboard to get the Arc Segment Tool Options dialog box (see Figure 7.23). Enter values for the length of the x-axis and the y-axis, and for the slope. Choose also to draw an open or closed path and an axis to base the path on. Click OK. Figure 7.23. The Arc Segment Tool Options dialog box.
The Spiral ToolIllustrator has a cool tool for drawing spirals, and the best part is that you don't get dizzy drawing them! To draw a spiral, choose the Spiral tool (see Figure 7.24) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. A spiral is always drawn outward from its center. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the path you are drawing:
Figure 7.24. Choosing the Spiral tool.
To draw a spiral numerically, choose the Spiral tool and click once on your artboard to get the Spiral dialog box (see Figure 7.25). Enter values for the radius, the decay, and the number of segments; then choose a style and click OK. Figure 7.25. The Spiral dialog box.
The Rectangular Grid ToolAlthough it's not necessarily a path tool, the Rectangular Grid tool enables you to easily construct a grid using both paths and a single rectangle. To draw a rectangular grid, choose the Rectangular Grid tool (see Figure 7.26) and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the grid you are drawing:
Figure 7.26. Choosing the Rectangular Grid tool.
To draw a rectangular grid numerically, choose the Rectangular Grid tool and click once on your artboard to get the Rectangular Grid Tool Options dialog box (see Figure 7.27). Enter the appropriate values and click OK. Figure 7.27. The Rectangular Grid Tool Options dialog box.
The Polar Grid ToolSimilar to the Rectangular Grid tool, the Polar Grid tool creates grids that are circular in form. To draw a polar grid, choose the Polar Grid tool (see Figure 7.28), and click and drag the mouse on the artboard. Before you release the mouse, you can utilize any of the following functions that will affect the grid you are drawing:
Figure 7.28. Choosing the Polar Grid tool.
To draw a polar grid numerically, choose the Polar Grid tool and click once on your artboard to get the Polar Grid Tool Options dialog box (see Figure 7.29). Enter the appropriate values and click OK. Figure 7.29. The Polar Grid Tool Options dialog box.
The Pencil ToolFor drawing freestyle on your artboard, use the Pencil tool (see Figure 7.30). This tool can be especially useful for sketching if you have a tablet. If you hold down the Option (Alt) key as you draw, Illustrator closes the path for you when you release the mouse. Figure 7.30. Choosing the Pencil tool.
There are several settings for the Pencil tool, which you can access by double-clicking on the Pencil tool itself in the toolbox. The Pencil Tool Preferences dialog box (see Figure 7.31) enables you to edit the Fidelity and Smoothness settings, which affect how clean and smooth your drawn lines will be. The Keep Selected option keeps the last path you've drawn with the Pencil tool selected, and the Edit Selected Paths option enables you to simply draw over an existing path to adjust it. Figure 7.31. The Pencil Tool Preferences dialog box.
Béziers and the Pen ToolBack in Chapter 2, we discussed briefly how Illustrator employs three kinds of "anchor points" to draw Bézier paths. We discuss these in further detail, and you'll learn how paths work inside Illustrator. The first type of Bézier path is a straight line; it contains two anchor points with a straight line connecting them (see Figure 7.32). This type is the simplest Bézier path and requires the least amount of memory to store and printyou just need the coordinates of the first and second points. Figure 7.32. A straight Bézier path with the anchor points visible.
The second type of Bézier path is the curve, and here the description gets complicated. A curve consists of two anchor points, with a curved line connecting them. The curve is determined by control handles, which are attached to each anchor point. The control handles define exactly how the curved line is drawn between the two anchor points (see Figure 7.33). Figure 7.33. A curved Bézier path, with the anchor points and control handles visible.
Of course, when the paths print, you don't see the anchor points or the handles. They just appear onscreen so that you can edit the paths. When the paths print, all you see are the lines themselves. Until now, you've been creating Bézier paths without even knowing it. The shapes and paths you've created are all made up of Bézier paths. You were doing fine until now, so why bring up all of this complicated anchor-point and control-handle information? The answer is, sure, you could perform several tasks in Illustrator without knowing what Bézier paths are, but you lose out on all the power that Illustrator offers. Additionally, both Photoshop and InDesign have the Pen tool and enable you to draw and edit Bézier paths. The Anchor PointsIllustrator has three kinds of anchor points: the straight corner point, the smooth point, and the combination point. Each kind of anchor point has its specific attributes, and each is used to create different types of paths. A Bézier object can be made up of any of the three kinds of anchor points and can contain any combination of them as well. For example, a square is made up of four straight-corner anchor points, whereas a circle is made up of four smooth anchor points. A shape such as a pie wedge contains both straight-corner and combination anchor points. The Straight-Corner Anchor PointThe straight corner is the simplest form of the anchor point, and it is primarily used to connect straight lines (see Figure 7.34). To draw straight lines, press P to switch to the Pen tool and click once on your screen to define the first point in your line. Now click where you want the second point to appear (don't drag from the first pointjust click and release). Each time you click in a different place, Illustrator draws a line connecting the anchor points. To create a closed shape, click on the first anchor point (the Pen tool icon appears with a little O next to it when you're about to close a path). Figure 7.34. The straight-corner anchor point.
The Smooth Anchor PointThe smooth anchor point contains two control handles (see Figure 7.35). By adjusting the control handles, you determine the slope and sharpness of the curve on either side of the point. Because the path continues through the point without a sharp change in direction, it is called a smooth anchor point. Figure 7.35. The smooth anchor point.
To draw curved lines, click and drag the mouse with the Pen tool to create your first point. Notice that as you drag, you're pulling control handles out from the point. Release the mouse button and then click and drag again at a different place on your artboard. As you drag, you'll see control handles being created for the second point, and a curved line will appear between the two points. The Combination Anchor PointThe combination point is a combination of the straight anchor point and the smooth anchor point (see Figure 7.36), so using these types of points can get a bit confusing. To draw a path using a combination point, click and drag with the Pen tool to create a smooth point. Then just click elsewhere on the screen to create a corner point. Then click and drag again elsewhere to create yet another smooth point. Figure 7.36. The combination anchor point.
You'll notice that the point in the middle has no control handles, yet it has curved paths connected to it. In reality, the combination point has two sides to it: a straight side (from the single click) and a curved side (from the click and drag). By the Way In its documentation, Adobe uses different terms for what I call control handles and control lines; it sometimes calls them direction points and direction lines. Also, you won't find a combination anchor point mentioned anywhere in the Adobe Illustrator manual. I use my own terms here because I feel that my terminology is easier to understand. I wanted to bring this to your attention in case you reference the Illustrator manual and happen upon those terms. Editing Shapes and PathsAfter you draw a path, you might want to change the shape or style of the points, adjusting the curve of the path or making a corner point into a smooth point. Several tools enable you to modify a path by changing, adding, or deleting a point. The Direct Selection ToolPerhaps the simplest form of editing a path is to use the Direct Selection tool. By selecting only one anchor point, you can reposition it (see Figure 7.37). By selecting a path and then dragging on a control point, you can change the shape of the curve for that path. Figure 7.37. Repositioning a single point on a path with the Direct Selection tool.
The Add Anchor Point ToolSimple in concept, the Add Anchor Point toolwhich looks just like the Pen tool with a little + (plus sign) next to itenables you to place additional anchor points on an existing path (see Figure 7.38). Each new point takes on the attributes of the path that you click on. If you add a point to a straight path, the new anchor point is a straight anchor point, and clicking a curved path results in a new smooth anchor point. Figure 7.38. Before and after adding an anchor point to an existing path with the Add Anchor Point tool.
The Delete Anchor Point ToolThe Delete Anchor Point tool simply deletes existing anchor points. It also looks just like the Pen tool, except that it has a minus sign () next to it. If you click an anchor point with the Delete Anchor Point tool (see Figure 7.39), the point is removed, and Illustrator automatically joins the preceding anchor point with the next point on the path. If you were to select an anchor point and press the Delete key on your keyboard, the anchor point would be deleted, but the path would be broken at that point. Figure 7.39. Before and after removing an anchor point from an existing path with the Delete Anchor Point tool.
By the Way Illustrator has a preference setting that automatically causes the Pen tool to change to the Add Anchor Point tool any time you mouse over an existing path. Likewise, the Pen tool automatically changes to the Delete Anchor Point tool when you mouse over an existing anchor point. This preference is turned on by default. Although this behavior is desirable at times, it can also get in the way. To turn it off, check the Disable Auto Add/Delete option in the General panel of the Preferences dialog box (see Figure 7.40). Figure 7.40. The Disable Auto Add/Delete option in the General panel of the Preferences dialog box.
The Convert Anchor Point ToolWhat do you do when you already have an anchor point, but you need to change it from one type of point to another? You use the Convert Anchor Point tool. You can easily access this, the last tool from the Pen tool quartet, by pressing Option (Alt) when any of the Pen tools is active. Notice that the cursor changes to an inverted V shape. This tool works the same way as the Pen tool; clicking a point converts it to a straight anchor point. Clicking and dragging on a point makes that point a smooth anchor point. To make a smooth point into a combination point, click and drag on a control handle (see Figure 7.41). Figure 7.41. Converting a smooth anchor point into a combination anchor point, using the Convert Anchor Point tool.
Did you Know? If you want to convert a straight anchor point to a combination point, you must first make the point a smooth point and then click and drag on the control handle. The Smooth ToolWhen you create paths, they aren't always as clean or as smooth as you might like, especially when using the Pencil tool and drawing with a mouse. The Smooth tool enables you to "get the kinks out" and get a smooth vector path. Use the tool to draw over any part of a selected path to smooth out that section of the path. Simplifying PathsSometimes a shape has many extra anchor points (as a result of autotracing, or an autotrace program such as Adobe Streamline). Sometimes entire paths need to be smoothed out as well. Although you can use the Smooth tool, as mentioned previously, for certain applications, sometimes you want to apply those effects on a larger scale. With any path or object selected, you can choose Object, Path, Simplify (see Figure 7.42) to remove extra anchor points and smooth out vector paths. You can specify that only straight lines be used (no curves), and you can also choose to show a preview of the original path, to compare how close the new simplified path will be to the original (see Figure 7.43). Making adjustments to the Curve Precision and Angle Threshold sliders will control how many anchor points are removed and how smooth the result will be. Figure 7.42. Choosing the Simplify command from the Object, Path menu.
Figure 7.43. The Simplify feature gives you the option to compare the original path with the proposed simplified one.
The Erase ToolThe Erase tool doesn't erase the fill of an object, nor does it work the way the Eraser tool does in Photoshop by erasing pixels. The Erase tool can be used only on a selected path. Any part of a path that you draw over with the Erase tool will be deleted from that path. Using Simple Shapes to Create Complex ShapesNo doubt you had more fun drawing the simple shapes discussed earlier than you did trying to make sense of the likes of the Pen tool. When it comes to creating more complex shapes, however, you can still use the primitive shape tools that are easy to use, along with a powerful collection of functions called Pathfinder. In fact, these functions are so useful that they have their own palette. The idea behind the Pathfinder functions is that you can use several simple shapes to create a single, more complex shape. The Pathfinder palette is split into two rows of functions. The buttons on the top row are called shape modes, and they enable you to Add, Subtract, Intersect, and Exclude shapes. The buttons on the bottom row are referred to as Pathfinders, and they enable you to Divide, Trim, Merge, Crop, Outline, and apply a Minus Back function (see Figure 7.44). Figure 7.44. The Pathfinder palette, with the shape mode functions on the top row and the Pathfinders on the bottom row.
By the Way If you've used older versions of Illustrator, you might be wondering what happened to the Unite Pathfinder command. That function has been replaced by the Add shape mode. Shape ModesThe shape modes are used primarily to create complex shapes from two or more other paths. To use these functions, you simply select the shapes you want to affect and click on the appropriate shape mode. There are four shape modes in Illustrator CS2:
Shape modes are nondestructive, meaning that you can continue to edit the primitive shapes after you've applied a shape mode. Objects that have shape modes applied to them are called compound shapes. You can use the Direct Selection tool to select parts of a compound shape to edit them (see Figure 7.49). Figure 7.49. Editing individual elements of a compound shape after the shapes have been combined.
If at any time you want to "flatten" a compound shape so that the individual primitive shapes are no longer accessible, select the compound shape and click on the Expand button in the Pathfinder palette (see Figure 7.50). Alternatively, if you want to create a flattened object to begin with, you can press and hold the Option (Alt) key while applying any of the shape modes. Figure 7.50. Expanding a compound shape.
Did you Know? Illustrator's compound shapes are similar to Photoshop's shape layers (vector masks). In fact, you can copy an Illustrator compound shape and paste it into Photoshop as a vector shape layer. Likewise, you can copy a vector shape layer from Photoshop and paste it into Illustrator as a compound shape (see Figure 7.51). Figure 7.51. When you're pasting a vector shape layer from Photoshop, Illustrator asks whether you want to paste the art as a compound shape.
PathfindersThe Pathfinder functions are primarily used for splitting objects into parts or deleting unwanted parts of objects. There are several kinds, each with a different purpose:
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