Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
LARRETT
Pattern Brushes
Building Characters with Pattern Brushes
Overview:
Create the parts that will make up a pattern brush separately; place the parts in the
Swatches panel and give them distinctive names; use the Pattern Brush Options dialog to cre-
ate the brushes; vary the width of the pattern brush line using the Stroke menu and the Width
tool.
To create these stylized science-fiction robots, Raymond Larrett saved extensive
tedious rendering by building the robot limbs using a custom pattern brush. Working
this way allows him to quickly and easily make alterations to his art by adjusting the
weight of the brush stroke, modifying or replacing the various brush elements, or
even replacing the entire brush itself.
1 Creating the robot arm parts.
Larrett's robot arm required four distinct elements: a
“shoulder” piece where the arm joins the body, an “elbow” connecting the upper and
lower arm, the “hand” (in this case a claw), and an “arm link” segment that replicates
as it connects and forms the majority of the robot arm. He created these pieces indi-
vidually, then turned each into a separate pattern swatch. These swatches become
the “tiles,” that together make up the robot arm pattern brush.
To create the shoulder piece, he first modified a shape made with the Ellipse tool.
Using the Pen tool, he drew a lighter, unfilled path with a Round Cap for the
highlight to complete the shoulder. He then dragged the shoulder art into the
Swatches panel, naming it “shoulder” so he would recognize it as he built the pattern
