Help duplicating image (wavy lines)

[pain4u]

I'm new to illustrator and I need help duplicating a piece of the image below (wings/feathers). I've tried using the pen tool and it just doesn't seem to be working out very well. Anyone know of an easy way to duplicate the lines? I also tried using the Auto Tracer and it that didn't work very well either.

- pain4u

 

[pain4u]

A better image...

- pain4u

 

[itchybug]

Several ways to skin this cat, pain for you:

1. Draw the approximate outer paths, then make a blend between them;

or

2. Draw a bunch of lines side by side, spaced evenly, teal stroke, no fill) and then draw a square to roughly cover up the lines. Select all, and hit Ctrl-Alt-C (Object>Envelope Distort>Make with top object). Now, get a feel for how to pull and tug on this envelope to get the desired warping.

or

3. Use the same set of parallel lines from before, and grab a hold of the main (finger pushing) liquify tool. Double-click the tool to vary its settings. Push and shove. The liquify tools are easily the most underestimated tools. Use them with the envelope in method 2, and see what you can achieve.

HTH

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[jmgalvin]

Sometimes it's easier to use Photohop to create the paths and then export them to AI.

You can use the magic wand and Select/similar in Photoshop and create a path. The keep doing that as necessary. Then File menu/export/paths. An illustrator file will be created

When you open that up in AI, you'll have empty paths that have to be filled with necessary colors.

I'm sort of used to this game since I constantly get 1 inch X 1 inch 72dpi jpeg logos that people expect me to use for print - and blow up.


Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[itchybug]

jm:

You'll end up with sloppy, hard-to-edit paths, why do you believe that's better?

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[jmgalvin]

Itchybug: It actually works great - as long as you have solid colors which most logos have. The only PITA is refilling in all the colors or transparency - like in the letters O or P. You have to blow it up goliath to see everything that's got to be filled in. On occasion you have to harden the edges in PS, but most of the time you don't.

I have to supply stills - mostly logos - to various big screens in Times Square. They MUST be submitted in pure vector eps with any fonts outlined. All the stock exchanges also require pure vector eps for "closing bell" ceremonies since they print huge posters and banners for each day. I constantly get these lousy jpegs of logos - often scans of letterhead (especially for gorvernment offices) or from web pages that are basically useless.

I had to do 4 logos on Tuesday for one of the exchanges. It took about 1.5 hours. i've been doing this trick for years and have never had one of the screens or exchanges send it back for redo. It's the only thing that I've been able to figure out that's pretty foolproof and fast (profitable).

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[pain4u]

Well, in this case the image is quite blurry. The duplication has to be exactly the same for print purposes. I'm actually trying to do this for someone else, and they are very particular about it looking EXACTLY the same. Personally, I think the logo is horrible and I would just redo it. So I suppose, I'm really just looking for the easiest way to duplicate it into vector for print.

I'm still playing with the different suggestions and I really appreciate the help! I wouldn't of been able to figure this out so quickly without it.

- pain4u

 

[pain4u]

Also, please continue to post any other suggestions! I know I could use them.

- pain4u