Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
mirrored metal text is so blurry and its edges so nearly hidden
that no real editing is needed, so let's address a Xara feature that
can quickly create edge reflections.
You can use the Fill Tool's Conical Gradient type to simulate
reflections viewed at extreme angles. All you need to do is create
the shape to hide a specific area of the extrude's edge, make a
multi-stage Conical gradient, and then position the shape's center
point so the color variations in the gradient gently fan out.
1.
Create a circle; it's the easiest shape to preview a Conical
gradient and you can trim it to fit the illustration later.
With the Fill Tool, select the circle and then choose
2.
Conical from the Fill Type drop-down list. By default,
the Conical fill runs from black to white.
Double-click on the Conical Fill Gradient arrow to create
3.
three points on the arc. Click and drag a shade of black
from the Color Line and drop it on one of the control arc
points of the Conical fill. Then drag white and drop it
onto a different location (almost any location is fine) on
the control arc, and perhaps add one more shade of black
so the fill looks so visually complex your audience only
sees the fill as a collection of reflections in the finished
illustration. Press CTRL - C to copy the circle and move the
circle out of the way to the pasteboard.
Create a shape to fit over a bevel edge on one of the
4.
extruded characters.
Press
5.
CTRL - SHIFT - A to paste the attributes of the
Clipboard circle to this new shape.
6.
With the Fill Tool,
drag the center
gradient control
handle to adjust the
fill's center and then
make other shapes
to suit your taste.
Paste the Conical
Fill attributes to
these new shapes.
Optionally, add a
Transparency to the
conical fill objects
for a more subtle
appearance.
 
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