UNDERSTANDING THE SYMBOLISM TOOLS

The tools shown in Figure 14.16 work with symbols in the Symbols palette. To add a new symbol, create the symbol on your page and then select New Symbol from the palette menu.

Figure 14.16. Use these tools to work with symbol instances, both placing them on the page and changing their display.

Double-click on any of the Symbolism tools to open the Symbolism Tool Options dialog. Diameter, Method, Intensity, and Symbol Set Density are set in this dialog. Click on the small buttons representing the Symbolism tools in the middle of the palette to set options or see shortcut keys for the specific tool:

• Symbol Sprayer tool: Click and drag to place symbols on the page in a series of what are called symbol instances.

• Symbol Shifter tool: Click and drag to move symbol instances on the artboard.

• Symbol Scruncher tool: Click and drag to move symbol instances closer together.

• Symbol Sizer tool: Click and drag to resize symbol instances.

• Symbol Spinner tool: Click and drag to rotate symbol instances.

• Symbol Stainer tool: Click and drag to color symbol instances.

• Symbol Screener tool: Click and drag to add opacity to symbol instances. The opacity is based on settings in the Transparency palette.

  The term symbol instances refers to the series of symbols, or elements, that are placed on the page with the Symbol Sprayer tool. Symbols are often used when creating web animation because the items that are placed on the page can be animated so they appear one at a time in a specific pattern. Examples of Illustrator's predefined symbols can be found in the Symbols palette by choosing Window, Symbols.

  
  

• Symbol Styler tool: Click and drag to add styles to symbol instances.