Using multiple vector shapes
fidel (329 points) | Tue, 2005-11-01 10:47
If you want to span a picture into several shapes. How do you do it?
Start with a couple of vector shapes. I used some squares, make a pattern at your wish. Select all your vector shapes and go to Object > Compound paths > Make
Now your vector shapes will handle as one shape.
With the Compound path selected go to File > Place and navigate to the picture you want. The picture (or logo) is now divided into each vector object.
The image can be altered with the Direct selection tool (white arrow). You can apply different effects, I used a drop shadow.
But you can also alter the individual shapes with the direct selection tool
Second tip of the week
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Thank you
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Goo
Except that in Illustrator you would need to apply the compound shapes as a mask. I wish Adobe would harmonize all the tools to work the same way in different applications.
Yes, I don't understand why illustrator doesn't just let you "paste inside" like InDesign, Freehand...
For the life of me, yesterday, I couldn't use a clipping mask on an object that already had a cliping mask on it in Illustrator. I ended up pasting my objects into Indesign, doing a paste inside and then copying it back into Illustrator. Illustrator is a strange beast.
There isn't any meaningful difference to InDesign's "paste in side" and applying a clipping path with Illustrator. In Illustrator you select the path and object and hit command + 8. It is the same effort with different language.
There are numerous things in Illustrator that would be helped by change, but changing the name of masking to "paste inside" isn't even on the list.
roger
Any chance you could show me how to do this in Photoshop, keeping in mind I'm a newbie?
Mike
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Infinite Style
First of all do you know anything about layer masks? This is important otherwise I want to include a tutorial about layer masks.
Just let me know
I've dabbled a bit in photoshop, you might want to include it.
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Infinite Style
It's late where I live, so i'll work somthing out for tomorrow with a new InDesign tip. See you tomorrow. It will be a long tip cause the explanation about layer masks will need some working on.
I will make a new Photoshop blog entry.
See you tomorrow
I'll post it in the blog area so that it can be used for other visitors too.
nice.
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I'm having a problem with illustrator at the moment because for some reason not all of the objects in the compound path end up being included. The shape I'm working with is essentially a bunch of small "holes" inside of a bigger object (for example, windows on a building facade) and all the holes need to be cutouts so the image behind shows. But I'm only getting about 80% of them when I make the compound path, and the rest stay the same color as the outside shape. Any ideas of what I might be doing wrong?
Thanks for any help!