Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Warps
Applying a warp is actually quite simple. Target an object, group, or layer and choose
Effect> Warp> Arc. (It doesn't matter which warp effect you choose, because you'll
be presented with the Warp Options dialog, where you can choose from any of the 15
different warps.) While the warp effects are “canned” in the sense that you can't
make adjustments to the effects directly, you can control how a warp appears by
changing the Bend value, as well as the Horizontal and Vertical Distortion values.
The tools that appear in the Control panel when an envelope warp
is selected; you can change the shape of the
warp using the pop-up menu
Once you've applied a warp, you can edit it by opening the Appearance panel and
clicking on the warp effect. Like all effects, a warp can be applied to just the fill or
just the stroke—and if you edit the artwork, the warp updates as well. Since warps are
effects, you can include them in a graphic style, which can then be applied to other
artwork.
Deleting a mesh point
To delete a mesh point from a warp or mesh envelope, choose the Mesh tool and
Option-click/Alt-click the point you'd like to delete.
—
Jean-Claude Tremblay
Envelopes
While warp effects do a nice job of distorting artwork (and allow you to save the
effect as a graphic style), Illustrator envelopes provide a higher level of control.
There are three ways to apply envelopes. The simplest way is to create a path you
want to use as your envelope. Make sure it's at the top of the stacking order—above
the art you want to place inside the envelope. Then, with the artwork and your
created path both selected, choose Object> Envelope Distort> Make with Top Object.
Illustrator will create a special kind of object: an envelope. This object you created
becomes an envelope container, which appears in the Layers panel as <Envelope>.
You can edit the path of the envelope with any transformation or editing tools; the
artwork inside will update to conform to the shape. To edit the contents of the
envelope, click the Edit Contents button in the Control panel or choose Object>
Envelope Distort> Edit Contents. If you then look at the Layers panel, you'll notice
that the <Envelope> now has a disclosure triangle that reveals the contents of the
envelope—the artwork you placed. You can edit the artwork directly or even drag
other paths into the <Envelope> in the Layers panel. To again edit the envelope
itself, choose Object> Envelope Distort> Edit Envelope.
