Making Shapes

[waynesworld]

I work more in Photoshop and Quark than Illustrator. In Illustrator 10 (Mac OS X), how would I make a simple shape easily and symetrically (rather than creating with the Pen Tool), like the Star Tool but with more points like a starburst behind a text heading?

Thanks,
waynesworld

 

[Eggles]

You can alter the number of points in the Star Tool and also the depth of the ins and outs. Try double clicking on the Tool icon to bring up a dialogue box (not sure if this is how to do it on a Mac).

 

[waynesworld]

That's what I'm trying to achieve. Unfortunately, I don't see any window with specific tool settings when double clicking on the Star tool.

 

[jimoblak]

Don't double-click on the tool in the toolbox. Select the tool and then click once (without dragging) in the artwork. The options dialog box will appear. All future use of the tool will reflect the settings that you chose.

 

[waynesworld]

Jimoblak,

That's a help toward what I want, which is a long oval shaped starburst. After working with Radius and Point settings, I got the length of the V shaped points I want. When I drag the shape out to an oval, however, the points alter in their thickness and are different widths. They should all be the same if possible. Any way to do that?

 

[askIllustrator]

just make a normal star with number of shapes you want, then stretch that shape using the scale tool. The shape will maintain its symetry. BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com

 

[waynesworld]

Jaquan,

When I do that, it comes out the same way as when I drag out an end with the Selection tool to make an oval shape--the middle points widen while the endpoints don't.

I found the best way to do it is to use the Ellipse tool and then Effects>Distort & Transform>Zig Zag and set the number Ridges per Segment.

 

[askIllustrator]

you might have fun with punk&bloat too. BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com