Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Expressive Strokes
Expressive Strokes
INTRODUCTION
New features in Illustrator give the user more control over Strokes than ever before.
You can manually adjust the contours of a path with the Width tool to emulate
calligraphy, and save its form (profile) in the Stroke panel to apply to another path.
You can specify precisely where the middle section of an art brush will stretch along a
path, and where the ends (such as arrowheads) will be protected from distortion. You
have control over how pattern brushes and dashed lines fit around corners. You can
use “natural media” bristle brushes to make complex and painterly marks, emulating
airbrush, pastel, and wet paint, and using traditional brush shapes like flat or fan.
And symbols can be sprayed and manipulated using a special set of Symbolism tools.
WIDTH TOOL AND STROKE PROFILES
The Width tool (Shift-W) varies the width of strokes created with the drawing and
geometric shape tools, or art and pattern brushes. The path doesn't have to be
selected; hover over it with the Width tool and the path will highlight, along with
hollow diamonds indicating existing width points that were either set automatically,
such as the end points of a path, or that you have set. As you move your cursor over
the path, still hovering, a hollow diamond moves with your cursor, ready to become a
width point at whatever location along the path you click on. You can modify paths
between two existing width points, and can create either a flowing,
continuous
curve,
or a
discontinuous
one with a sharp break between sections.
