andrew's vector plugin's volume 12 manual for illustrator

Plug-ins notes

file:///C|/...ndrew/Products/Documentation%20NOT%20FOR%20RELEASE/Illustrator%20plugins/Volume%2012/GX12_Documentation.htm[30/10/2008 19:31:01]

ShapeFX1 (Andrew's Vector Plug-ins Volume 12)

Introduction

Plug-in to create simple and complex paths from a limited number of points. The plug-in set also includes a bonus warpingtool with extreme warping, apply to created shapeFX paths or others.

Andrew

Installation of plug-ins

Please place the GX12_ShapeFX1.aip and GX12_Warp10.aip in the

c:\program files\adobe\adobe illustrator CS4\plug-ins folder [pc Illustrator ® CS4]



c:\program files\adobe\illustrator CS\plug-ins folder [pc Illustrator ® CS]

or

c:\program files\adobe\illustrator 10\plug-ins [pc illustrator 10]

for the mac, please place the GX12_ShapeFX1 and GX12_Warp10 in

HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator CS4:plug-ins [mac Illustrator ®CS4]

HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator CS3:plug-ins [mac Illustrator ®CS3]

HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator CS 2:plug-ins [mac Illustrator ®CS 2]

or

HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator CS:plug-ins [mac Illustrator ®CS]

or

HD:Applications:Adobe Illustrator 10:plug-ins [mac Illustrator 10] or CS2

*** NOTE all the folder of 'GX12_..' needs to be included if you are using CS2 on a mac OS X. The plugin consists of multiplefiles, please don't rename or delete an item in that folder.

=== NOTE: I also suggest putting the plug-in in a sub folder of plug-ins, say 'graphicxtras'. If graphicxtras folder doesn'texist, simply create the folder using the explorer or finder

*** NOTE: Please be very careful with some of the functionality if you suffer from light sensitive problems /

Plug-ins notes


issues as using certainly functionality and rapidly changing settings and random fill colors or path strokes, cancreate an intense set of color changes. This might be same for many different path combinations. This is mainlyconnected with the interactive drag buttons. Basically, be careful of rapid changes of settings!

Alternate plug-in installation location

Because of recent improvements in security, you may wish to install the plug-in sets in an alternate location such as an useraccount and not the default plug-in folder. If you are using a basic level account and one without admin features, you mightnot be able to save the AIP plug-in files to the usual folder. Set up an alternate or secondary plug-in folder in your useraccount and then copy the files there.

To specify an alternate plug-in for Illustrator ®

1) Go to the edit > preferences > plug-ins

2) Check the additional plug-ins folder option

3) Specify / browse for your required file in your user account (such as 'third party plug-ins' etc)

Access via the filter menu

Warp plug-in requires a path (image, symbols, symbol text etc) to work. ShapeFX1 plug-in requires no path to be selected

Installing symbols

The symbols files (*.ai files) should be placed in the c:\program files\ Adobe\Illustrator...\presets\symbols folder (or macequivalent).

Access the symbols files via the windows\symbols menu (please consult the Illustrator documentation)

Installing brushes

The brushes need to be placed in the brushes folder and the patterns in the patterns folder (in presets)

Initial Use of plug-ins

Both plugins appear in the filters menu (not the effects menu)

'ShapeFX1': Appears under AVP <Create>. Plugin requires no paths to be selected, it creates paths. Paths that have fairlylimited points (8 at max) but can be fairly complex. Useful for creating paths and patterns as sources for additional paths orplugins

'Warp': Appears under AVP <Paths> Requires a path or symbol or multiple shapes to be selected otherwise no action will beapplied.

The warp tool warps paths or multiple paths as well as images and symbols and many other types of AI path.

Plug-ins notes


Basically follows the same lines as the warp functionality in AI but adds many levels of randomness and warping and createssome truly messed up shapes.

Applies multiple warps, warps to warps.. instead of just a single warp

NOTE On exit, the warp envelope still remains. You will need to expand this via the expand menu command (if required). Thewarp envelope can be modified until expanded.

ShapeFX / 'Shape' screen

This is the basic shape screen

'Shape core radius (p)': Radius of the basic shape interior

Plug-ins notes


'Shape outer radius (p)': Radius of the outer part of the shape

'Shape curvature': Controls the roundness of the shape, creating flatter or rounder shapes

Plug-ins notes


'Points movement (p)': Modifies the position of anchor points and modifies the shape

Plug-ins notes


'Presets': Available on all screens and includes many styles of shape. This is a dropdown of presets. The presets contain allthe settings for the dialog. You cannot add to the presets list at present.

ShapeFX / 'Points' screen

Points settings screen

'Core 1 2 3 4 [X]': Modifies (or applies) the corner points of the inner shape. If off, the point is not created. This can beused to create many variant shape designs.

Plug-ins notes


'Outer 1 2 3 4 [X]': Modifies (or applies) the corner points of the outer shape

'Core/Outer': Modify the core and outer anchors (default 100% no change)

Plug-ins notes


'Link core': Links all the points entries to the first point

'Link outer': Links all the points entries (for outer) to the first point.

Plug-ins notes


'Interpolation core': Modifies the core points depending on the interpolation setting, the points are shifted more (or lessdepending on setting) towards the interpolation center (modified by the dropdown.

'Interpolation outer': Modifies the position of the outer points based on the distance from the interpolation center. bydefault set to 0 for no change, the inner and outer settings can create many variant designs.

ShapeFX / 'Direction' screen

Direction points screen controlling the curvature

'Core 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8': Modifies the curvature (direction) points for the core/inner (there are two direction points peranchor)

'Outer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8': Modifies the outer points

Plug-ins notes


'Link core': Links all settings to the first

'Link outer': Links all settings to the first

Plug-ins notes


ShapeFX / 'Create' screen

Placement of shape, shapes, scaling and angle + sketch options

'Placement options':

By default, the center of the created shape is the user defined shape center. If set to a different option, the user definedcenter fields will be disabled. The center can be set to the current document center, randomized along the user defined centerhorizon, or random across the document.

These are often of more use if the number of shapes is greater than 1.

'Shape center (p)': User defined center (disabled if center options is set to randomized)

Plug-ins notes


'Angle (o)': Angle of the shape

'Scaling (%)': Scaling applied to the shape, create thin or squashed shapes.

Plug-ins notes


'Number of shapes': By default, one shape is created but if you wish, create 100s of shapes to fill the document. Usefulcombined with some of the randomized settings as well as random centers and also symbolize, as this means 100s ofsymbols (some good, some bad) can be created in seconds

'Sketch color options': Ignored if the sketch repeats is set to 0. The sketch color options colors the stroke of the createdsketch lines. The options include random colors, using the original color, opacity settings and more.

'Sketch weight': Weight added to the path's sketch stroke (this can also be randomized via the setting's dialog). Creates amore random sketchy feel, as if the pencil has been applied lightly then a little heavier etc

Plug-ins notes


'Sketch shift': The sketchiness of the created stroke lines.

Plug-ins notes


'Sketch repeats': The number of 'repeats' of the stroked path to create.

ShapeFX / 'Settings' screen

Settings screen. By default most of the randomization settings are off.

'Fill (R)': The fill of the shape is randomized. If there is no fill, the setting is ignored. Also the randomization requires thecurrent color setting to match the document color setting (CMYK matching CMYK)

As mentioned, be careful with this setting if you suffer from issues with light sensitive, response to rapid changing imagery,especially used in combo with the interactive drag buttons and the tumble buttons or multiple shapes etc

'Fill swatch': Fills the shape with randomized swatches from the swatch palette. Requires a fill to be already set (no fill willmean the plugin ignores the shape swatches). The fill needs to match the document color. This can require some setup, sayyou wish the shape to be filled with variants of blue, then you will need to setup the swatches with a number of blue swatches(or green or purple or gradients). please be careful with this setting if you suffer from issues with light sensitivity / rapidchange of color etc especially in combination with interactive drag buttons or multiple shapes or tumble button when thechanges might be very dramatic.

'Stroke (R)': Requires a stroke to be already applied, otherwise ignored. Like fill, requires the stroke to be the same colormode as the document. The stroke is filled with random colors.

Plug-ins notes


'Weight (R)': Requires a stroke (with weight) to be applied and works based on the current stroke width, so if 10pt widththen the randomization will generate widths of 0 up to 10 randomized.

'Opacity (R)': Randomizes the opacity of the created shape

'Style (R)': Applies a random style. This will require some setup of the styles palette. Some styles are process intensive.Perhaps you might want to create many 3D or sketchy styled shapes

Plug-ins notes


'Core radius (R)': Randomizes the size of the radius from 0 to the current core radius

'Outer radius (R)': Randomizes the size of the radius from 0 to the current outer radius

Plug-ins notes


'Corner (R)': Randomizes the corner or points information to create weird and wonderful shapes

'Create points (R)': Randomly decides to create a point or not, useful for creating weird surreal shapes.

Plug-ins notes


'Shape core': Sets the direction points for the core or not

'Shape outer': Sets the direction points for the outer radius or not

Plug-ins notes


Drop shadow: Create a shadow for the shape

Shadowangle[R]: Randomize the angle / direction of the shadow

Shadowopacity[R]: Randomize the opacity of the shadow

Plug-ins notes


''Half Shadow': Use half of the fill color as the shadow color (if possible)

'Shadowscale': Scale the shadow to flatten the shadow

New layer': Creates the shape on a new layer

'Symbolize': Turns the shape into a symbol (though this can be done by dragging the shape into the symbols palette at alater stage

- doesn't preserve the warp envelope though)

'Warp (R)': Applies a random warp to the shape, the warp shape remains on exit from the plugin so you will need to expandthe shape warp envelope

There is a quirk where repeated clicks of the warp randomization and the color will turn 'gray' (not sure why)

Plug-ins notes


'Scaling (R)': Applies a random scaling to the shape

'Angle (R)': Randomly rotates the shape

'Jitter scaling (R)': Applies a subtle scaling jitter to the shape to create smaller or slightly bigger shapes

Plug-ins notes


'Jitter center (R)': Applies a subtle jitter to the position (more useful if set to the user defined position as the jitter wouldbe lost if random center is set)

'Jitter fill (R)': Applies a subtle jitter to the fill, requires the correct document color mode and a fill and also doesn't domuch if the random fill is set as all jitter is totally lost. Say you start with a blue shape, the jitter will create subtle blue shiftsin color

Plug-ins notes


'Jitter stroke (R)': Same as the fill but for the shape stroke

'Jitter width (R)': The current width is jittered, so if set to 10pts then the jitter will create say a 9pt path stroke width orweight and 11 pts etc randomly

'Sketch shift (R)': Randomize the sketchiness (by default this is on). If not on, the stroke shapes are purely displayedwithout any curve / sketchiness

'Sketch weight (R)': Randomize the line weight of the sketch stroke (by default this is on) . If off, all the stroke lines are allthe same weight

Buttons

'Shuffle'

Randomizes the settings (though doesn't change any of the entry values). If nothing is set to randomized, the shuffle makesno difference

'Tumble'

Randomizes all the entry settings (or a fair number of them) and creates some extreme and perhaps subtle shapes. Greatcombined with some of the random settings such as corner

'Tweak'

Plug-ins notes


Randomizes only a few entry settings and generally only slightly

'Jitter'

Applies some jitter to the entry values of some of the settings

'Boost'

Increments some of the entry values of some of the settings (not all)

Drag buttons

Some of the fields have an interactive drag button beside them. This changes the settings via interactively dragging acrossthe document (to use, hold shift down as well and release the shift key before releasing the mouse for greater control).Please be careful with this functionality as it rapidly changes the shapes / designs and depending on randomization of color orstroke etc and number of items, can cause intense changes of designs on the screen.

Warp 10 / 'Warp' plug-in screen

Main warping screen. The plug-in uses the standard warping / envelope functionality. The plug-in randomizes and pushes thewarping to the extreme, such as applying within the plug-in repeat warps (with different warping envelopes)

'Repeat warps': Applies the warp (random or a selected particular type like arc) multiple times. Each warp (if set torandom) could be arc, then twist, then upper arc.. and so on

'Bend': Specify the bending to be applied

'Horizontal distort': Specify the amount of horizontal distortion

Plug-ins notes


'Vertical distort': Specify the amount of vertical distortion

'Distort options': Apply a random warp or the same warp such as arc (as standard envelopes)

'Presets': A selection of presets (reset being the first)

Warp 10 / 'Options' screen

Minor tweaks to the main warping functionality

'Horizontal warp': Axis of warp

Plug-ins notes


'Vertical warp': the vertical axis

'Warp fidelity': The fidelity of the warp - creates a wide range of different shapes in its own right.

Set to a low value for some unusual warping

'Expand appearance': Expand appearance (graphic style)

'Expand pattern': Expand the pattern

'Expand gradient': Expand the gradient (these are the same options as available in the warp and they can modify the endresult of the gradient, appearance.. depends, of course, if they are set)

Warp 10 / 'Settings' screen

Settings screen to randomize, modify etc the warping of the selected paths or symbols or images

'Bend (R)': Randomizes the bend setting

Plug-ins notes


'Horizontal distort (R)': Randomizes the horizontal distort setting

'Vertical distort (R)': Randomizes the vertical distort setting for each warp (works on the current setting down to 0)

Examples of the shapeFX plug-in

The following are example of the shape plugin in use

Example 1

Set the inner radius to a low value such as 2

Example 2

Shape curvature set to the maximum

Plug-ins notes


Example 3

Maximum curvature and then apply an offset to the generated path and fill with a different color

Example 4

Set a width / weight before using. Set the sketch weight setting to 30; sketch shift to 15; sketch repeats to 15 and set thecolor options to 'random color'. Other settings as example 4

Plug-ins notes


Example 5

As above but using the random and black lines mix for the color options for the stroke

Example 6

16 shapes all layered on top (basic shape) but with random scaling as well as random line weight set to create an inset /contour design, some of the shapes will be covered as their scaling is less than the 'above' shapes

Plug-ins notes


Example 7

Similar to above but the opacity is also randomized, gives it a more ghostly look as well as allowing more shapes to 'shine'through

Example 8

No opacity but using the random angle option, great for flower like designs, art designs, logos, etc

Plug-ins notes


Example 9

As above but random fill also set so all the 'petals' are randomly filled. Great for flower designs, abstract art. Perfect alsosaved as a symbol for re-use

Example 10

As above but less shapes (8). Too many shapes creates a mess of lines. Then use the pathfinder exclusion on the selectedpaths

Plug-ins notes


Applications support

MAC OS X 10.2 .3 . 4 .5 98 ME NT XP Vista Adobe ® Illustrator ®10 CS1 CS2 (12) CS3 CS4

Questions

Please contact me on support at (@) graphicxtras.com Other plugins are available on the site http://www.graphicxtras.com

Copyright

The plugins are copyright of 1997-2008, Abneil Software Ltd (Andrew Buckle).

The symbols are royalty-free, feel free to use as required. Symbols are (c) 2004-2007

Andrew Buckle / Abneil Software ltd. This product was released by Abneil Software Ltd (UK based company)

Trademarks

Illustrator and Adobe and Photoshop are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated

We have no connection whatsoever with Adobe.

Adobe product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Symbols

Installation of Symbols

Please place the symbols in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Illustrator 10\Presets\Symbols or mac equivalent such asHD:applications:adobe illustrator CS:presets:symbols or the CS2 equivalent or CS3 equivalent

The symbols can be accessed from any folder but this is probably the best location as the file/s can be accessed via thesymbols dropdown. Use in conjunction with the document symbols palette.

De-install the symbols

Please remove the AI files from the preset libraries folders

Symbols format

The symbols were created in 10 format symbols.

Saving AI symbols

You can always save the files as CS format if so required, just use the save command on the document symbols palette (in

http://www.graphicxtras.com/

Plug-ins notes


CS) and save all the current symbols or you can always open the original symbols file and copy some new symbols or deletesymbols from the symbols palette there and then save the symbols file.

Copyright

All the symbols are copyright Andrew Buckle 2004-2006, but they are royalty-free...

Symbols Use

The symbols can be used as is, just use them as a image resource and drag the symbol from the palette and use as a path(though you will have to expand the symbol to do this), sometimes it is best to just keep it as a symbol as all the effectmenu options can be applied to the symbol such as free distort and transform and styles can be applied as required. None ofthe filter menu filters can be used on symbols, though many of the 3rd party plugins such as the graphicxtras.com Andrew's(vector) plugins can be applied to symbols as well as paths.

Flash export

Symbols are useful in flash export (for low file size). The symbols can be exported to SWF format and also manipulatedacross layers to create animation effects. Or exported to SVG format.

Sprayer tool

Symbols can be used with the native symbol sprayer tool, the symbols can be applied and then using the scruncher etcadditional tools, the symbols can be re-sized and rotated and stained as required (graphicxtras.com also have some excellenttools that have a vast additional set of options and features to handle symbols from the toolbox).

Replace symbols

Symbols can be replaced at a later point of the creative process, so create an image with a box, multiple boxes and thenselect the symbols and then the replacement symbol in the symbol palette and then use 'replace symbol' from the menu tochange all the boxes into the more complex art. All the live effects remain as before.

Brush symbols

Symbols can be converted to a brush, simply drag the symbol (and any associated effects) to the brushes palette and you willbe asked to store the brush as a scatter / artistic or pattern brush.

Copy symbols

Symbols can be copied and repeated as required with minimal file size overhead. Also of great use with transformations, thetransform effect. This tool has a 'copies' feature which can be used to create unusual zoom effects and rotations and can beused in combo with the appearance palette to create multiple transformations for a single symbol.

Photoshop ®

Symbols can also be copied via the pasteboard to other applications such as Photoshop (so a wonderful background symbolcan be used as a wonderful background texture in Photoshop.. along with transparency information for use with layer effectssuch as bevels)

Envelopes/3D

Symbols can be warped by the envelope filter

3D symbols

Symbols can be turned into 3D shapes by using the 3D features of AI CS (extrude and bevel...) By using the appearancepalette, multiple warps can be applied to a single symbol. So create an arc warp effect, duplicate it and modify the direction(say vertical instead of horizontal). This can create truly weird shapes from even the most basic symbol.

Brushes

Please place the brushes in the brushes preset folder and access via the brushes libraries menu. The brushes can be furthertweaked into patterns or artistic or scatter. The brushes are basic designs created using the plug-in 'shapes' Use the brushtool or apply to text etc

Patterns

http://www.graphicxtras.com/

Plug-ins notes


Very basic set of patterns (these can also be used via the brushes pattern tool) based on the shapes created using the plugin.To use, install in the swatches folder and access via the swatches palette/menu

andrew's vector plugin's volume 12 manual for illustrator

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