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Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Oct 30, 2026 10:50 PM UTC
Question

Blends: Easing with path objects


In the latest versions of Illustrator one may be delighted in using the Easing options in the Blend panel.

Probably I'm overlooking something, but as far as I can see Easing only works if the selection contains at least one closed path (before creating the blend). If there are open paths only, easing does not work (is not available).

Do you think that this is the expected behaviour?

Thank you

    2 replies

    CarlosCanto
    Community Expert
    CarlosCantoCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 31, 2026 6:56 AM UTC

    oooooohhh Blended Open paths don’t generate a Spine by default. Once you add a Spine, Ease options become available

     

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    Community Expert
    Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 31, 2026 2:54 AM UTC

    Yeah, it definitely seems like a serious limitation for the easing functions to work only with one or more closed paths. It’s worth noting CorelDRAW has had an easing function its blend effect for a long time, and the effect can work with open path segments. The implementation is a bit herky-jerky, but it’s there.

    I tried using the Objects on Path tool as a possible work-around. But it doesn’t really do easing along the target path; the spacing setting only affects how much of the target path’s length is used. The spacing is still uniform. Easing options might be worth mentioning as a feature request for the Objects on Path tool.

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