pointed lines

[Raider1983]

When drawing the end of flames, sometimes the ends are really pointed and sometime "squared off". A blunt flame point is not very cool. Any advice?

 

[dimoj]

Draw them with filled objects rather than strokes?

 

[Raider1983]

I should have clarified that these flames are fill objects, not just lines. Its the "stroke" of the object that I can't consistently get to a sharp point.

 

[dimoj]

That's exactly what I meant. Don't use stroked shapes. Just use filled shapes.

 

[Raider1983]

I usually have the flame outlined with a different color using the stroke. Is there another way to outline it other than duplicating the shape and scaling it up to show around the edges of the top shape?

 

[dimoj]

You could create a new fill and offset the path but you will get the same problem with the miter limit.

Scaling won't work by the way.

You may have to bite the bullet and do it by hand. You'll probably end up with a nicer result that way, anyway.

 

[ChokingMyTrap]

Use the direct selection tool, pick the point that’s at the end of the flame, then on the stroke settings window, increase your Mitre Limit. Value will depend on your lines and they way they curve, so keep cranking it up until you get what your looking for.

Cheers

 

[ChokingMyTrap]

Sorry, add this in, use stroked shapes. Stroke your solid shape, Set the Mitre Limit as above. Then after you can item>expand... then use pathfinder (Add to shape area) and make it a solid object.. if you need it solid that is.

 

[dimoj]

Use the direct selection tool, pick the point that’s at the end of the flame, then on the stroke settings window, increase your Mitre Limit. Value will depend on your lines and they way they curve, so keep cranking it up until you get what your looking for.

<Rove>What the...?<\Rove>

Direct selection on one point? Mitre limit will affect the whole object. You dont need to select one point with DS Tool, just select the whole object with the Selection Tool? Using the DS Tool on one point would be a time waster (and just think what you could do with all those seconds you have saved ;-)).

Mitre limit is sketchy at best. You will never get all objects to have nice pointy bits just how you want them with it.