Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
With the Symbols panel, you can create, edit, rename, duplicate, and delete symbols. You
can create your own symbol from a selected object or you can use the ones provided by
Illustrator. Illustrator gives you access to almost 30 different symbol libraries, which in-
clude Arrows, Artistic Textures, Flowers, Fashion, Maps, and Nature to name a few.
The Symbol Sprayer allows you to create a symbol set. After you create a symbol set, you
can use one of 7 other symbolism tools to modify it. The symbolism tools include: Sym-
bol Shifter (to shift direction and bring forward or send backward), Symbol Scruncher (to
move instances closer or farther apart), Symbol Sizer (to increase or decrease size), Sym-
bol Spinner (to change the orientation), Symbol Stainer (to increase or decrease the trans-
parency), Symbol Screener (to recolor with tints), and Symbol Styler (to apply a graphic
style). With the Expand command, you can break the link between an instance and the
original symbol or break apart a symbol set.
Using the Symbols Panel
If you use the same object in multiple places in a document, you should store it in the
Symbols panel anduse it as aninstance. Asymbol is stored once inthe Symbols panel and
used multiple times as an instance, which speeds up printing and reduces the size of your
document. Each instance is linked to the original symbol. When you select an instance on
the artboard, the symbol is selected in the Symbols panel. You select a symbol instance by
pointingtothesymbolcontentinnormalmode(notjustinsidetheboundingbox).Youcan
place instances one at a time or create a collection of instances with the Symbol Sprayer
tool, known as a
symbol set
. This allows you to quickly create artistic designs without
a lot of experience. With the Symbols panel you can create, edit, rename, duplicate, and
delete symbols.
Create Instances with the Symbols Panel
Select the
Symbols
panel.
To change the Symbols panel view, click the
Options
menu, and then select any
of the following view available options:
•
Thumbnail View
•
Small List View
•
Large List View
•
Sort by Name
