Chapter 7 Working with Distortions, Gradient Meshes, Envelopes, and Blends

Chapter 7

Working with Distortions, Gradient Meshes, Envelopes, and Blends

Objectives

• Edit colors and distort objects• Work with gradient meshes• Work with envelopes• Create blends

Edit Colors and Distort Objects

• Illustrator provides a number of effects that you can use to alter the shape of an object.

• The Pucker & Bloat effect adjusts the segments between an object’s anchor points.


Before Pucker effect

After Pucker effect; segments appear curvedinward

Original shape of object is evident by bounding box


• The Bloat effect is achieved by moving the segments outward and the anchor points inward.


Before Bloat effect

After Bloat effect—segments are moved outward


• The Twist effect rotates an object more sharply in the center than it does at the edges, creating a whirlpool effect.


Before Twist effect

After Twist effect; center is rotatedmore than edges


• The Edit Colors commands on the Edit menu are very useful for quickly applying color changes to objects.

• The changes are applied directly to the objects; they are not effects.


• You can saturate colors or desaturate colors in an illustration.

• You can also use the Convert to Grayscale and Blend Front to Back commands.


Blend Colors Front to Back


© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning

Saturate filter intensifies color

Convert to Grayscale filter removes all chromatic color

Work with Gradient Meshes

• The Mesh tool and the Create Gradient Mesh command can be used to transform a basic object into a mesh object.

• A mesh object is a single, multicolored object in which colors can flow in different directions, and colors transition gradually from point to point.


• When you create mesh objects, multiple mesh lines crisscross the object.

• Mesh points are diamond-shaped and work like anchor points.– Can be assigned a color– When assigned, color flows outward from point

Work with Gradient Meshes• Area between

four mesh points is a mesh patch.

• Apply color to all four mesh points simultaneously by applying color to patch.

Mesh line

Mesh patch

Mesh line

Mesh point


• You can apply opacity settings to a mesh point on a gradient mesh.

• Select one or more points on the mesh, then drag the slider in the Transparency panel.


• Mesh points can be added, deleted, and moved along mesh line without altering mesh shape.

• Manipulate anchor points’ direction lines to alter shape of mesh.


• The shape of the mesh is manipulated by direction lines.

• Mesh points can be moved, just like anchor points.


• You can create a mesh object from any path.• You cannot create a mesh from compound

paths or text objects.• Use the Mesh tool or apply the Create

Gradient Mesh command.


• The Create Gradient Mesh command creates a mesh object with regularly spaced mesh lines and mesh points.


Create Gradient Mesh dialog box

Mesh objectdeselected


• Once you create a mesh object it can’t be converted back.

• Complex mesh objects are a memory drain and may effect computer performance.– Better to create a few simple mesh objects rather

then a single complex one


Mesh points at the edge of the objects are filled with black

Three interior mesh points darkened

Work with Envelopes

• Envelopes are objects used to distort selected objects.

• Objects take on shape of envelope object.

Work with Envelopes

• Make envelopes with: • Objects you create• Preset wrap shapes • Mesh objects

• Use envelopes with compound paths, text objects, meshes, and blends.

Work with Envelopes

Object to be distorted

Top object to be used as an envelope

Resulting envelope effect

Work with Envelopes

• Create envelopes with top objects, meshes, and wraps.

• Create an envelope by using the Envelope Distort command on the Object menu.

Work with Envelopes

• Make with Warp – 15 premade shapes• Make with Mesh – same as gradient. meshes

made with Mesh Tool.• Make with Top Object – top most selected

object.

Work with Envelopes

An envelope created using a warp.

Work with Envelopes

• Envelopes can distort objects with linear gradient fills or pattern fills.

• Click the Distort Linear Gradients or Distort Pattern Fills in Envelope Options dialog box to activate.

Work with Envelopes

Set options in the Envelope Options dialog box.

Create Blends

• A blend is a series of intermediate objects and colors between two or more selected objects.

Create Blends

• Blends are created with:– Blending tool or– Make Blend command

Create Blends

• Make blends between:– two open paths– two closed paths– objects filled with gradients– blends

Create Blends

• The fewer the number of steps in a blend, the more distinct each object will be.

• A large number of steps creates the illusion of being continuous or “smooth.”

Create Blends

• In Blend Options dialog box select– Specified Steps– Specified Distance– Smooth Color – default option

Create Blends

• You can create a simple blend between open paths.

• You can create color effects with a blend and a mask. Chrome letters

created with a blend and a mask

Create Blends

You can apply blends to paths.

Create Blends

• Affect the appearance of a blend by manipulating its spine.

• When blend created, path is drawn between starting and ending objects – referred to as spine and manipulated like a path.

Create Blends

• Examples:– Add anchor points to spine with Pen tool, then

move them with Direct Selection tool– Spine can be replaced by drawing a path with Pen

tool, then select it along with any blend and apply the Replace Spine command

Create Blends

Anchor point added and then dragged down to alter blended spine

Documents

Chapter 7 Working with Distortions, Gradient Meshes, Envelopes, and Blends