Andrew's Vector Plugin's Volume 23 Manual for Illustrator

Plug-ins notes

file:///C|/...ndrew/Products/Documentation%20NOT%20FOR%20RELEASE/Illustrator%20plugins/Volume%2023/GX23_Documentation.htm[30/10/2008 19:35:12]

Zoom (Andrew's Vector Plugins Volume 23) Plug-in

Introduction

Plugin to create manga comic-influenced zoom / focus lines in 1000s of different ways. Hope you find the tool of use andinterest

Andrew

Installation of plug-ins

Please place the GX23_Zoom.aip in the c:\program files\adobe\illustrator CS\plug-ins folder [pc Illustrator ® CS] orc:\program files\adobe\illustrator 10\plug-ins [pc illustrator 10] or CS2 or CS3 or CS4

On the MAC OS X, please place the plug-in GX23_Zoom in HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator CS:plug-ins [mac Illustrator®CS] or HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator 10:plug-ins [mac Illustrator 10] or CS2 or CS3 or CS4

NOTE All the folder of 'GX23_..' needs to be included if you are using CS2 on a mac OS X. The plugin consists of multiple files,please don't rename or delete an item in that folder.

Possible installation paths

PC CS4 C:\program files\adobe\adobe illustrator CS4\plug-ins\graphicxtrasPC CS3 C:\program files\adobe\adobe illustrator CS3\plug-ins\graphicxtrasPC CS2/12 c:\program files\adobe\adobe illustrator CS2\plug-ins\graphicxtrasPC CS/11 c:\program files\adobe\illustrator CS\plug-ins\graphicxtrasPC 10 c:\program files\adobe\illustrator 10\plug-ins\graphicxtras

OS X CS4 HD:applications:adobe illustrator CS4:plug-ins:graphicxtras OS X CS3 HD:applications:adobe illustrator CS3:plug-ins:graphicxtras OS X CS2 HD:applications:adobe illustrator CS2:plug-ins:graphicxtras OS X CS HD:applications:adobe illustrator CS:plug-ins:graphicxtras OS X 10 HD:applications:adobe illustrator 10:plug-ins:graphicxtras

(if the 'graphicxtras' folder does not exist, simply create it in the plug-ins folder or use another folder name if you wish. Youcan also just place the file in the top level plug-ins folder if you wish but putting it in a sub folder makes it easier to find at alater date)

Alternate plug-in installation location

Because of recent improvements in security, you may wish to install the plug-in sets in an alternate location such as an useraccount and not the default plug-in folder. If you are using a basic level account and one without admin features, you mightnot be able to save the AIP plug-in files to the usual folder. Set up an alternate or secondary plug-in folder in your useraccount and then copy the files there.

Plug-ins notes


To specify an alternate plug-in for Illustrator ®

1) Go to the edit > preferences > plug-ins

2) Check the additional plug-ins folder option

3) Specify / browse for your required file in your user account (such as 'third party plug-ins' etc)

Symbols

The symbols files (*.ai files) should be placed in the c:\program files\Adobe\Illustrator...\presets\symbols folder (or macequivalent). Access the symbols files via the windows\symbols menu (please consult the Illustrator documentation)

Styles

The styles need to be placed in the graphic styles folder and accessed via the styles palette. The styles are for version CS2CS3 CS4

Important warning - rapid visual change (drag button)

Please note: this plugin can be used to create some seriously intense illustrations and designs as well as rapid movement andcreation of paths. If you have problems with flashing lights or intense imagery, please be careful with this plugin especiallywith the use of the shift button / drag feature (the small box beside a number of the key settings) as well as use with zoomsets and shift center for the creation of intense interference patterns.

Initial use of plug-in

Plugin appears in the filters menu (not the effects menu) under AVP <Create> as zoom (CS3 CS2 CS 10)

Please access the plug-in via the object > filters menu (CS4)

The plugin set is split over 6 panel / dialogs, most of the basic settings are via the first dialog, the other dialogs are fortweaking / advanced use of the plugin

Zoom dialog

Lines: The maximum number of lines to create, though this will be reduced by any pattern or create setting applied so theactual might be less than the entered. The angle of the lines is calculated based on the number of lines and the angle range(by default, a full circle)

Plug-ins notes


Zoom length: The length from the start point of the line to the far point of the line (this can be varied by scaling etc)

Zoom length (randomization): Randomized value added to the zoom length, can be set to a positive or negative value andwill be randomized between 0 and the entered value

Plug-ins notes


Zoom distance: Distance from center to the start point of the line.

Zoom distance (randomization): Randomized value added to the distance. To create an uneven start point, set this to alarge value.

Plug-ins notes


Zoom width: The width of the line, though this is just an internal setting and should be used as a guide more than actualvalue. A large value will create a wider shape, a small value, a thin line.

Zoom width (randomization): Randomized value added to the width of the line. Minimum width can be a very thin line of 0points

Plug-ins notes


Zoom options: The default is a thin triangle but the plugin offers over 54 additional types of triangular / line variants such ascircular designs, rectangular designs, crooked lines, and more. Use the zoom option dropdown to create many unique zoomdesigns.

Create dialog

Center of the zoom options: This can be the user defined position (default) or the document center or a random position ora position on the frame / edge of the document and other settings.

Plug-ins notes


Zoom Center: Center of the zoom defined by the user, ignored if the option is not set to 'user defined' option

Zoom center (randomization): Additional value added to the center setting for each line, can be positive or negative.

Rotation: Rotates the lines about the line center (not the center of the entire set), creates different designs from the samebasic set

Plug-ins notes


Rotation (randomization): Add randomization to the path rotation

Scaling: Scaling applied to each path (horizontal and vertical directions) to create thinner and wider and taller paths

Plug-ins notes


Scaling (randomization): Add randomization to the horizontal and vertical scaling of the paths

Sketch color options: Ignored if the sketch repeats is set to 0. Applies different sketch coloring to the lines in the zoom /focus (depends on the color model and the current stroke setting for the lines)

Plug-ins notes


Sketch weight (width): Maximum weight / width for the sketch lines, randomized between 0 and setting to create asketchy / different pen pressure look

Sketch shift: Shifts the points of the sketch lines from the base position by the supplied distance, randomized. Createscurved, scratchy, sketchy lines. If you set the randomized sketch shift box to unchecked the lines are returned to straightlines.

Sketch repeats: Number of sketch lines to create around a zoom line

Tweak1 dialog

Min / Max bound: The zoom lines by default are created for a full circle, 0 to 360. Set the bounds to be 0 to 180 will createa semi circular design. The same number of lines will be created for any bound setting, the lines will be closer so you mightprefer to re-adjust the zoom line settings

Random angle / lines: Additional randomized angle / rotation added to the min / max bound / zoom lines copiescombination. Creates a more random zoom line look.

Plug-ins notes


Skip / create pattern: Applies a pattern to the creation of the zoom lines, instead of creating all lines, it skips a line,creates a line, etc. If the setting is set to 1 2 then two lines are created and 1 line skipped and so on.. There are twoadditional skip create patterns and these are used sequential to create a wide variety of skip / create patterns of lines.

Plug-ins notes


Interpolation options: The points in the zoom lines are moved towards a certain point (by the percentage set in theinterpolation field). The actual point is set by the interpolation options such as the midpoint, center of document, randomcenters around the frame of the document and more. Use to create really odd zoom designs.

interpolation: If set to 0, the interpolation random box and options are ignored. If set to something other than 0 (less ormore), the points in the zoom are moved by that percentage towards the center defined by the interpolation optionsdropdown. Creates unusual shapes designs even from a basic line.

Plug-ins notes


Repeats dialog

Zoom sets: By default only one set of zoom lines is created but you can also create multiple sets of lines within the plugin(you can also just create them by repeating the plugin). The factors below are used by the subsequent sets to modify thelength / distance etc

Length: A factor applied to the second and third etc sets. If set to 99 then the second set of lines is 99% of the length of thefirst, and then third is 99% of that.. and so on. The paths can overlap so you may wish to use the angle setting or modify thedistance setting to actually see the lines.

Plug-ins notes


Distance: A factor applied for each set to the distance setting. If the set 1 distance is 20pts from the center and the distancefactor is 50 then the distance for the next set is 10pts.

Width: A factor applied to the width per set, creating wider or thinner lines per set

Plug-ins notes


Mid/horz: The midpoint horizontal setting is shifted (this is not a factor but added to the original midpoint setting), creating3D like designs and more

Mid/vert: Midpoint vertical addition per set

Angle: Angle added to each set (not bound by the min / max settings), shifts the sets radially

Plug-ins notes


Fill: Add to the fill per set. Lightens or darkens the sets

Repeats-Altscaling: Applies 50% scaling to alternate sets of zoom lines

Plug-ins notes


Repeats-AltRotation: Rotates by 180 alternate sets of zoom lines

Shift Center: If only one zoom set, this has no real use (though it will still shift the center by the supplied distance). Thisfeature is really only useful for two or more sets of zoom designs, and by setting to greater or less than zero, the shift can beused to create interference patterns and intense (be careful with the use of this feature if you cannot stand intense flashinglights etc)

If the centers are randomized the shift center is still in use but it will have minimal effect.

The shift center feature works well in combination with different zoom options as well randomized opacity, fill combinations,etc

Tweak2 dialog

Midpoint/horz: The midpoint by default is the center of the zoom. A factor is applied to each line based on the distance fromthe center and the distance from the midpoint. The midpoint can be disconnected from the center position and this createslonger lines or darker lines at one point of the zoom than another. Only applied to the settings checked (length etc)

Plug-ins notes


Midpoint/vert: Midpoint vertical center

Midpoint-apply to length: Apply the midpoint factor to the length, no difference if the midpoint and center are the same. Anadditional factor is to the left of the checkbox (the default is set to 100%)

Midpoint-apply to distance: Apply the midpoint factor to distance. An additional factor is to the left of the checkbox (thedefault is set to 100%)

Plug-ins notes


Midpoint-apply to width: Apply midpoint factor to the width of the lines. An additional factor is to the left of the checkbox(the default is set to 100%)

Midpoint-apply to fill: Apply the midpoint factor to the fill. Not very effective if the zoom lines are totally black, better withreds and blues. An additional factor is to the left of the checkbox (the default is set to 100%)

Plug-ins notes


Midpoint-apply to create: Apply the midpoint factor to the creation of the zoomlines. Requires the create checkbox to beset to randomize (otherwise the zoom lines are always created whether or not the midpoint apply is set). An additional factoris to the left of the checkbox (the default is set to 100%)

Length/line: Increases or reduces the length of line per line

Plug-ins notes


Distance/line: Increases or reduces the percentage distance from the center line

Width/line: Reduces or increases the percentage width of line (not the stroke width but the width of the triangle / line)

Plug-ins notes


Fill/line: Reduces or increases the fill per line, creating a darker or lighter color

Settings Dialog

Fill (R): Randomizes the fill of the zoom lines (though it needs a fill to be initially set and the document and the fill color tobe in the same color model.

Fill swatch (R): Randomizes the fill of the zoom as above but uses the swatches in the swatches palette. If there are noswatches, then there will be no randomization / fill. Works best if the swatches palette has been set to a required colorpalette such as all blues. Overrides all the other fill settings such random fill and swatch order.

Stroke (R): Randomizes the stroke color (as fill)

Stroke Swatch (R): Randomizes the stroke color using swatch palette (as fill swatch)

Stroke width (R): Randomizes the size of the stroke from current to 0.Requires a stroke setting.

Style (R): Randomly selects a style for a zoom line. Can be slow if the styles are complex. The styles randomization worksbest if the styles palette has been pre-selected. The plugin comes with a set of styles for this purpose, use one or more of thestyles to create unusual sketch or offset designs.

Opacity (R): Randomizes the opacity for each line between 0 and 100. More effective when the zoom lines are overlappingor multiple repeats are used to create a blurry zoom line effect

Plug-ins notes


Create (R): Randomizes the creation of lines, 50-50 to create or not. Leaves gaps in the perfect circle (so the number oflines actually created may not match the lines value set in the zoom dialog)

Lines (R): Randomizes the zoom / type options (there are over 50 different zoom line types and the randomization will picka random zoom line for each line in the set). Creates a mess or a masterpiece or unique art

Plug-ins notes


Lines/set(R): Randomizes the zoom type but per set, so a single set of zoom lines will be one zoom type, the next set ofzoom lines will be a different (perhaps) type.

AltLines(R): Randomizes alternate zoom lines, create a design using the set zoom type and a randomly selected one in allalternate slots of the zoom/focus. Gives the potential for 1000s of different designs

Plug-ins notes


Drop shadow: Creates a shadow 5 pt / 5 pts from the original paths. If the fill color is black, the shadow and the fill blendinto one, really requires a random fill or red or blue to see the black drop shadow.

Shadowangle(R): Randomizes the distance and angle for the drop shadow

Shadowopacity(R): Randomizes the opacity of the drop shadow

Halfshadow: Sets the shadow fill color to half of the path color

Shadowscale(R): Randomizes the scaling of the shadow, to create perspective and unusual designs

Swatch order: Overrides random fill but not random swatches. Applies the swatch colors in order of the palette to the lines.So if you wish to have red blue red blue etc, just fill the swatch palette with red and blue.

Plug-ins notes


layer/pass: Puts all the lines for the plugin onto a single layer

Layer/set: Puts all the lines for a set onto a new layer

Layer/line: Puts each line onto a new layer

Length(R): Randomizes the length setting between 0 and set value

Distance(R): Randomizes the distance setting

Plug-ins notes


Width(R): Randomizes the width setting

Scaling(R): Randomizes the scaling

Plug-ins notes


Rotation(R): Randomizes the rotation (0 to 360)

Jitter scaling(R): Jitters the scaling setting by a small amount

Plug-ins notes


Jitter center(R): Jitters the center position

Jitter fill(R): Jitters the fill color about the set path color. If orange, creates subtle orange variant colors for the zoom lines

Plug-ins notes


Jitter stroke(R): Jitter's the stroke color

Jitter st.Width(R): Jitters the stroke width (not the width of the lines but the stroke)

Sketch shift(R): By default checked to create curved sketch lines suggesting a sketchiness. When unchecked, the lines arestraight and not very sketchy.

Sketch width(R): By default, randomizes the sketch width between 0 and the set value. Set to unchecked and the width isequal for all the sketch lines and with a high sketch width setting (weight), the shape can be lost beneath the chunky sketchlines as below.

Interpolate(R): Randomizes the interpolation setting, ignored if the interpolation is set to 0. Randomizes for each line, socan create some interesting variants of the basic shape for each line.

Shuffle button

Randomize and randomize and randomize. Only useful if there is something to randomize though.

Presets

A selection of preset / settings. The first being the reset for all the settings

Plug-ins notes


Drag button

Some of the edit fields can be modified interactively by clicking the box beside the control (such as length center distance)and holding the shift key down and dragging the mouse cursor across the document to add or remove zoomlines, modify thecenter etc. Release the shift key to stop the modification (easier to control than just releasing the mouse)

Tumble button

A useful feature to randomize many of the field settings (such as distance length number of lines etc as well asrandomization), use it to tryout a huge range of possible zoomline settings. Once you are happy with a set of settings, stopclicking the tumble button, and then just tweak individual fields.

Plug-ins notes


Applications support

MAC OS X 10.2 .3 .4 .5 98 ME NT XP Vista Adobe ® Illustrator ®10 CS1 CS2 (12) CS3 CS4

Questions

Please contact me on [email protected] Other plugins are available on the site http://www.graphicxtras.com

Copyright

The plugins is copyright of 2005-2008, Abneil Software Ltd (Andrew Buckle).

The symbols are royalty-free, feel free to use as required according to the license. Symbols are (c) 2007 Andrew Buckle /Abneil Software ltd.

The styles are (c) 2007 Andrew Buckle / Abneil Software ltd. They, like the symbols, can be used in commercial project /hobby projects as required.

This product was released by Abneil Software Ltd (UK based company)

Trademarks

Illustrator and Adobe and Photoshop are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

We have no connection whatsoever with Adobe. Adobe product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe SystemsIncorporated.

Symbols

Installation of symbols

Please place the symbols in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Illustrator 10\Presets\Symbols or mac equivalent such asHD:applications:adobe illustrator CS:presets:symbols or the CS2 equivalent

The symbols can be accessed from any folder but this is probably the best location as the file/s can be accessed via thesymbols dropdown. Use in conjunction with the document symbols palette.

De-install the symbols

Please remove the AI files from the preset libraries folders

Symbols format

The symbols were created in 10 format symbols.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.graphicxtras.com/

Plug-ins notes


Saving AI symbols

You can always save the files as CS format if so required, just use the save command on the document symbols palette (inCS) and save all the current symbols or you can always open the original symbols file and copy some new symbols or deletesymbols from the symbols palette there and then save the symbols file.

Copyright

All the symbols are copyright Andrew Buckle 2006-2007, but they are royalty-free...

Symbols use

The symbols can be used as is, just use them as a image resource and drag the symbol from the palette and use as a path(though you will have to expand the symbol to do this), sometimes it is best to just keep it as a symbol as all the effectmenu options can be applied to the symbol such as free distort and transform and styles can be applied as required. None ofthe filter menu filters can be used on symbols, though many of the 3rd party plugins such as the graphicxtras.com Andrew's(vector) plugins can be applied to symbols as well as paths.

Flash export

Symbols are useful in flash export (for low file size). The symbols can be exported to SWF format and also manipulatedacross layers to create animation effects. Or exported to SVG format.

Sprayer tool

Symbols can be used with the native symbol sprayer tool, the symbols can be applied and then using the scruncher etcadditional tools, the symbols can be re-sized and rotated and stained as required (graphicxtras.com also have some excellenttools that have a vast additional set of options and features to handle symbols from the toolbox).

Replace symbols

Symbols can be replaced at a later point of the creative process, so create an image with a box, multiple boxes and thenselect the symbols and then the replacement symbol in the symbol palette and then use 'replace symbol' from the menu tochange all the boxes into the more complex art. All the live effects remain as before.

Brush symbols

Symbols can be converted to a brush, simply drag the symbol (and any associated effects) to the brushes palette and you willbe asked to store the brush as a scatter / artistic or pattern brush.

Copy

Symbols can be copied and repeated as required with minimal file size overhead. Also of great use with transformations, thetransform effect. This tool has a 'copies' feature which can be used to create unusual zoom effects and rotations and can beused in combo with the appearance palette to create multiple transformations for a single symbol.

Photoshop ®

Symbols can also be copied via the pasteboard to other applications such as Photoshop (so a wonderful background symbolcan be used as a wonderful background texture in Photoshop.. along with transparency information for use with layer effectssuch as bevels)

Envelopes/3D

Symbols can be warped by the envelope filter

3D symbols

Symbols can be turned into 3D shapes by using the 3D features of AI CS / CS2 (extrude and bevel...) By using theappearance palette, multiple warps can be applied to a single symbol. So create an arc warp effect, duplicate it and modifythe direction (say vertical instead of horizontal). This can create truly weird shapes from even the most basic symbol.

http://www.graphicxtras.com/

Documents

Andrew's Vector Plugin's Volume 23 Manual for Illustrator