Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Working with the Symbolism tools
The Symbol Sprayer tool ( ) in the Tools panel allows you to spray symbols on the
artboard, creating symbol sets. A symbol set is a group of symbol instances that you create
with the Symbol Sprayer tool. This can be really useful if, for instance, you were to create
grass from individual blades of grass. Spraying the blades of grass speeds up this process
greatly and makes it much easier to edit individual instances or the sprayed grass as a group.
You can create mixed sets of symbol instances by using the Symbol Sprayer tool with one
symbol and then using it again with another symbol.
Spraying symbol instances
Next, you will save several trees as a symbol and then use the Symbol Sprayer tool to apply
those trees to your illustration.
1.
Choose View > symbol content.
2.
With the Selection tool ( ), drag across the two tree shapes to select them.
3.
Drag the trees group into the Symbols panel. In the Symbol Options dialog box, change
the name to
Trees
and the Type to
Graphic
. Click OK.
4.
Choose Select > Deselect, and then choose View > Fit Artboard In Window.
5.
Select the Symbol Sprayer tool ( ) in the Tools panel. Make sure the Trees symbol is
selected in the Symbols panel.
6.
Double-click the Symbol Sprayer tool ( ) in the Tools panel. In the Symbolism Tools
Options dialog box, change the following options (if they aren't already set):
• Diameter:
1 in
• Intensity:
5
