Adobe Illustrator - Creating a Swish

Author

Creating a Swish

.ep

2005-08-12, 7:14 am

Hello,

I am looking to create a swish like this:
http://www.clfmayville.org/images/axis.jpg
(The big line that neatly extends above the X)

I use the pencil tool with my mouse but it is very shaky, and also, I
need one end of the swish to be broader than the other side.

Thanks for any ideas or help!

jbl

2005-08-12, 7:16 pm

On 12 Aug 2005 02:23:22 -0700, ".ep" <erick.papa@XXXXXXXXXX> wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I am looking to create a swish like this:
>http://www.clfmayville.org/images/axis.jpg
>(The big line that neatly extends above the X)
>
>I use the pencil tool with my mouse but it is very shaky, and also, I
>need one end of the swish to be broader than the other side.
>
>Thanks for any ideas or help!

The pen tool, not the pencil tool, is the one for this.
Sadly, it is a pretty simple thing to do if you are experienced in
using the pen tool, and difficult if you are not, and aparently you
are not.

If you want to get some experience using the pen tool there are many
online tutorials and printed books available.

If you just want help getting this swish drawn, roughly, hand draw to
scale (doesn't have to be perfect) and scan and submit as an
attachment to my email (remove the no spam, or to jb0l2g at the mail
server indicated as being used by you) or give some more specific
details (overall height and width, fill color, etc).

jbl

steggy

2005-08-12, 7:16 pm

jbl wrote:
>
> On 12 Aug 2005 02:23:22 -0700, ".ep" <erick.papa@XXXXXXXXXX> wrote:
>
>
> The pen tool, not the pencil tool, is the one for this.
> Sadly, it is a pretty simple thing to do if you are experienced in
> using the pen tool, and difficult if you are not, and aparently you
> are not.
>
> If you want to get some experience using the pen tool there are many
> online tutorials and printed books available.
>
> If you just want help getting this swish drawn, roughly, hand draw to
> scale (doesn't have to be perfect) and scan and submit as an
> attachment to my email (remove the no spam, or to jb0l2g at the mail
> server indicated as being used by you) or give some more specific
> details (overall height and width, fill color, etc).
>
> jbl

That is the best option.

To avoid the pen tool though (which is not wise if you want
to learn Illustrator, but OK), you could also use two
circles or ovals. Manipulate them in that way that the
outlines of the ovals give you the path of the swish. Move
them around, use the Shear tool, Rotate, do whatever is needed.
Cut the circles at the right spots (use Scissors), get rid
of what you do not need, and join the remaining lines, so
you will end up with a path that you can still edit
with.............the Pen Tool and others.
--
steg

Bill M.

2005-08-18, 4:14 am

steggy <steggy2001@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:42FC9B6F.E9E3FA14@hotmail.com:

> jbl wrote:
>
> That is the best option.
>
> To avoid the pen tool though (which is not wise if you want
> to learn Illustrator, but OK), you could also use two
> circles or ovals. Manipulate them in that way that the
> outlines of the ovals give you the path of the swish. Move
> them around, use the Shear tool, Rotate, do whatever is needed.
> Cut the circles at the right spots (use Scissors), get rid
> of what you do not need, and join the remaining lines, so
> you will end up with a path that you can still edit
> with.............the Pen Tool and others.

Wouldn't the Pathfinder - Subtract work well here instead of cutting the
ovals or are you left with a less editable object?

Bill M.

newsboy

2005-09-02, 4:16 am

pathfinder for sure

make an eclipse on top of another eclipse and subtract

".ep" <erick.papa@XXXXXXXXXX> wrote in message
news:1123838602.645389.141310@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hello,
>
> I am looking to create a swish like this:
> http://www.clfmayville.org/images/axis.jpg
> (The big line that neatly extends above the X)
>
> I use the pencil tool with my mouse but it is very shaky, and also, I
> need one end of the swish to be broader than the other side.
>
> Thanks for any ideas or help!
>