ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS3

Chapter 4 Transforming and Distorting Objects

Chapter 4 2

Transform objects

¢ Defining the Transform Tools

�  Transformation occurs when an object’s size, shape, or position is changed on artboard

�  Tools panel contains five transform tools: ¢  Rotate ¢  Scale ¢  Reflect ¢  Shear ¢  Free Transform

Chapter 4 3

Transform objects

¢ Defining the point of origin

�  All transformations executed in relation to a fixed point and called point of origin

�  Default point of origin is object’s center point

�  You can change center point to another point on the object or somewhere else on the artboard

Chapter 4 4

Transform objects ¢ Defining the point of origin

�  There are four basic methods for making transformations with transform tools

¢  Click a transform tool, then click and drag anywhere on artboard

¢  Double-click transform tool, which opens tool’s dialog box

¢  Click a transform tool, then click artboard to define point of origin

¢  Click transform tool, press [Alt](Win) or [option](Mac), then click artboard and tool's dialog box opens

Chapter 4 5

Transform objects

The Reflect Tool flips an image All transformations are executed from a point of origin

Chapter 4 6

Transform objects ¢ Working with the Transform Again Command

�  You can repeat a transformation again quickly with the Transform Again command ¢  Scale or rotate ¢  Moving

�  Quickest way to use Transform Again command is to press [Ctrl][D](Win) or Ë[D](Mac)

Chapter 4 7

Transform objects ¢ Using the Transform Each command

�  Command allows you to transform multiple objects individually

�  Transform Each dialog box offers options to move, scale, rotation, or reflect an object among others

Before After

The eight squares are rotated on their own center points

Chapter 4 8

Transform objects ¢ Using the Free Transform Tool

�  The Free Transform Tool applies an eight-handled bounding box to a selected image ¢  Move handles to scale and shear object ¢  Click and drag outside the object to rotate the object

�  Moving handles in conjunction with keyboard commands allows you to distort the object, or distort object in perspective ¢  Press and hold [Shift][Ctrl](Win) or [Shift]Ë(Mac) to distort image ¢  Press and hold [Shift][Alt][Ctrl](Win) or [Shift][option]Ë(Mac) while

dragging to distort in perspective

Chapter 4 9

Transform Objects ¢ Using the Transform panel

�  Transform panel displays information about size, orientation, and location of one or more selected objects ¢  Type new values directly into the Transform panel to modify

selected objects

�  You can identify the reference point on the bounding box from which the object will be transformed

Chapter 4 10

Transform Objects

Use the Free Transform Tool to distort objects in perspective

Chapter 4 11

Transform Objects

Transform panel list arrow

Rotate text box

Height text box Width text box Shear text box

Chapter 4 12

Offset and Outline Path Command

¢ Using the Offset Path command

�  Offset Path command creates a copy of a selected path set off by a specific distance ¢  Useful when working with closed paths – making concentric

shapes or making many copies of a path at a regular distance from original

�  When you offset a closed path ¢  Positive value creates larger copy outside original ¢  Negative value creates a smaller copy inside original

Chapter 4 13

Offset and Outline Path Command

Concentric circles produced by the Scale Tool

Concentric circles produced by the Offset Path command

Chapter 4 14

Offset and Outline Path Command

¢ Using the Outline Stroke command

�  Outline Stroke command converts a stroke path into a closed path the same width as original stroke path ¢  Useful for applying gradient to a stroke ¢  Useful design tool for modifying object outline ¢  Easier to create an object with a single heavy stroke then

convert it to a closed path

Chapter 4 15

Offset and Outline Path Command

The Outline Stroke command converts a stroked path to a closed object

Chapter 4 16

Create Compound Paths ¢ Defining a compound path

�  Compound path used to make ‘hole’ or ‘holes’ in an object

�  Select the object in back and the object in front and apply the Make Compound Path command

�  If you move the front object independently, it yields interesting results which Illustrator calls compound shapes

Chapter 4 17

Create Compound Paths ¢ Defining a compound path

�  When two or more objects are compounded, Illustrator defines them as one object

�  Compound paths function as groups ¢  Select and manipulate an individual element with Direct Selection

Tool

¢  Cannot change appearance attributes independently

Chapter 4 18

Create Compound Paths

¢ Releasing a compound path �  Apply the Release Compound Path command to return

objects to original composition

Chapter 4 19

Create Compound Paths

The letter D is an example of a compound path

Chapter 4 20

Create Compound Paths

Manipulating compound paths can yield interesting effects

Chapter 4 21

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

¢ Defining a compound shape

�  A compound shape is two or more paths combined so that ‘holes’ appear

Chapter 4 22

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

¢ Understanding essential pathfinder filters

�  Pathfinders are preset operations that help combine paths ¢  Useful for creating complex or irregular shapes from basic

shapes

�  Illustrator offers ten pathfinders – five are essential

Chapter 4 23

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

No Filter

Add

Subtract

Intersect

Minus Back

Divide

Chapter 4 24

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

¢ Using the Pathfinder panel

�  Create compound shapes by overlapping two or more objects, then clicking one of four shape mode buttons ¢  Add ¢  Subtract ¢  Intersect ¢  Exclude

�  When shape mode button applied, two overlapping objects combined into one object with same formatting as top level

Chapter 4 25

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

¢ Using the Pathfinder panel

�  After shape mode button applied, original objects can be selected and formatted using Direct Selection Tool

�  Another way is to click Expand button in Pathfinder panel

�  Another is to press[Alt](Win) or [option](Mac)

Chapter 4 26

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

Add to shape area button

Subtract from shape area button

Intersect shape areas button Exclude

overlapping shape areas button

Divide button

Trim button

Merge button

Crop button

Outline button

Minus Back button

Chapter 4 27

Work with the Pathfinder Panel

¢ Applying shape modes and pathfinders

�  When shape modes are applied to objects, compound shape can be manipulated endlessly

�  When shapes are expanded, the result is final

Chapter 4 28

Creating Clipping Masks

¢ Defining a Clipping Mask

�  Use clipping mask as a ‘window’ to see some or all of the objects behind the mask in the stacking order

�  Apply Make Clipping Mask command ¢  Top object becomes the mask ¢  Objects behind become ‘masked’

�  Only parts of masked object seen will be through mask

Chapter 4 29

Creating Clipping Masks

Four objects being masked

Black circle becomes mask

Chapter 4 30

Creating Clipping Masks ¢ Using multiple objects as a clipping mask

�  First, make them into compound paths

�  Illustrator regards compound paths as a single object ¢  Single object can be used as a single mask

¢ Creating mask effects

�  Position as many items as you want behind mask

Chapter 4 31

Creating Clipping Masks

Masks can be used for stunning visual effects