#Adobe illustrator cs4 pen tool tutorial how to

When the drawing is complete, select the whole layer, then go to Object > Expand Appearance. I created an abstract design in the style of freehand pinstriping. The completion of the mirror drawing Step 9 You can even set multiple axes of symmetry, by choosing at the same time the options Reflect X, Reflect Y and setting the number of copies required and the rotation angle.īut in this case, in addition to the symmetry, we also get a rotation relative to the point of intersection of the axes. This will open the dialog with the parameters of the effect.įor example, you can change the axis of symmetry. To do so, select the layer with the template and click on the Transform effect in the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance).

You can always reset the configurations of the template. That is why we have created a rectangle that is bigger than the artboard.Įditing a Live Mirror Drawing template Step 7 This must be taken into consideration and try not to cross the axis of symmetry, unless you plan it, of course.Īlso you can’t draw beyond the boundaries of the rectangle created in the first step, as this will ruin the symmetry of the entire system. The path exists on both sides of the axis of symmetry. When crossing the axis of symmetry, the connection of the created path with its mirror copy is absent. Unfortunately, this method has two drawbacks which of course I have to warn you about. At the same time you can draw on both sides of the axis of symmetry. Now select any of the drawing tools, for example the Paint Brush Tool (B), and create a path.Īs you can see, we’ve got immediate symmetry relative to the horizontal axis. Turn off the visibility of the created object (in my case it’s an arrow) in the Layers panel.

Your template is complete, so you can start drawing. For visual control over the situation, check the Preview option and press OK. Now go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform… and in the dialog box, specify the axis of symmetry and the number of copies equal to 1. Select the entire layer in the Layers panel. I created an arrow to indicate the direction of the path. Step 3Ĭreate a random object on the artboard. We basically have them set up for our own convenience. It is not necessary to create the guides since they just show the position of the axes of symmetry. The guides must pass through the center of the created rectangle. Turn on the Rulers (Command / Ctrl + R) and create horizontal and vertical guides by dragging them from the corresponding rulers.

Stroke colors of the rectangle do not matter at all, but you’ll need to set the fill to 0 in order to see a preview of the mirrored image. Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a rectangle of the size larger than the size of artboard. Artboard sizes and color mode of the new document depends only on your preferences. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document (File > New). Tutorial DetailsĪs always, this is the final image that we’ll be creating:Ĭreate a template for Live Mirror Drawing Step 1

#Adobe illustrator cs4 pen tool tutorial how to

You will learn how to do it from reading today’s article. We can, however, implement Live Mirror Drawing in Illustrator by using only its basic features.

Unfortunately, Adobe Illustrator does not have this feature although it is a very powerful and multi-feature application. Some of the graphic and 3D editors have a Live Mirror Drawing feature, which allows you to draw simultaneously on both sides of one or more axes of symmetry.