Free Distort with Imported Image? 1

[flasher40]

Hi,

In AI9, I've used Free Distort in the past to change the perspective of text. Now, I'd like to change the perspective of a .jpg image that I've imported into AI, but when I open the Free Distort window, all I get are some vertical lines and no obvious way to distort the image.

My goal is to distort the rectangular .jpg image so that it looks like you are viewing it from an angle instead of straight on. Can that be done using Free Distort--or by some other method, perhaps?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[apepp]

...it's a good deal of time since i used illustrator 9, from what i recall though it isn't really possible in the same way it can be achieved in 10 or CS, with these versions there a few methods so long as the image is embedded...

...with version 9, i believe it lacks such a function with images, whether embedded or not, shearing is probably the closest or faking it with a distorted clipping mask, but neither of these are probably really that much of a solution...

...the only workaround i can think of for now is to do it in photoshop first...

Andrew

 

[flasher40]

Thanks, Andrew; helpful as always.

By the way (Andrew or anyone else who'd like to express their opinion) I don't think I can justify spending the money required to upgrade to, say, CS2 or CS3, but if I found a copy of AI10 for a good price on eBay, for example, would the differences between AI9 and AI10 be worth the investment. In other words, do you feel the changes were significant enough to be worth the change?

Bill

 

[apepp]

...have a read through this article on illy 10 to see what you think:

http://www.creativemac.com/2002/02_feb/reviews/illustrator10review.htm

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...the envelope distort feature will allow you to do what you requested right inside illustrator with an embedded image...

Andrew

 

[flasher40]

That feature starts with AI10, right? I don't see it in AI9, the version I'm using. Until I upgrade AI, creating the effect in Photoshop and importing it into AI will have to suffice.

Bill