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M
MYK14
Participant
April 28, 2023
Answered

Make Drawing Follow Curved Path

  • April 28, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 2249 views

Hi everyone... I'm in the process of drawing a logo. 

The drawing I have is to follow along a curved path. For example, if I draw a box with a curved life beside it, I want the edge of the box to become curved as a reflection of part of the curved line. So say along this curved line are multiple boxes, each box will have one edge as now a curved part of the line. Like they've joined together. 

 

I tried different methods and nothing is working. Any suggestions? 

 

Thank you in advance for your help! 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer kphotopage

    Monika gave you the link how to use the Shape Builder tool.

     

    In short:

    Select your curvy lines and your rectangular shapes.

    Next switch to the Shape Builder Tool.

    Hold down,  Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) to erase

    Drag your cursor over the area you want to delete.

     

    K

    6 replies

    kphotopage
    kphotopage
    Legend
    May 1, 2023

    MYK14, Hi.

     

    Here I lasso the bottom anchors of the cyan Grouped rectangles.

    Move down.

    Use the Shape Builder Tool to cut and delete paths.

     

    K

    M
    MYK14Author
    Participant
    May 1, 2023

    Hi K, 

    Thank you for the suggestion. The instructions are a bit vague, but I tried and just got long boxes. I dont know how to use the shape builder tool very well either. So is there an option to send a video of how you achieve the picture below? It's exactly what I'm looking for! 

    Thanks! 

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 1, 2023

    Here's how to use the shapebuilder tool: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/creating-shapes-shape-builder-tool.html 

      M
      MYK14Author
      Participant
      April 30, 2023

      Sorry for the miscommunication -- here's a visual so help below. Also, "box with a curved life" is a typo lol it should be "box with a curved side" 

       

       

      Thanks again for the help! 

      Jacob Bugge
      Community Expert
      Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 30, 2023

      MYK14,

       

      That was how I understood it.

       

      I believe you can use the first suggestion with a few extensions in 1):

       

      1) Extend/move each box or all boxes together to overlap the line, maybe just:

      1a) By (deselecting and) (Shift)ClickingDragging (holding Shift while ClickDragging) the relevant path segment(s) with the Direct Selection Tool so that the/each relevant side is fully on the other side of the curved path thereby stretching the adjacent sides enough to cross it, or

      1b) By (Shift)ClickDragging (each of) the boxes so that the relevant side is fully the other side of the curved path;

       

      2) Click the curved path with the (normal) Selection Tool, then press X then F (then X then F if needed) to bring it on top of the boxes, then apply Object>Path>Divide Objects Below;

       

      3) Select and delete the unwanted boxes on the wrong side of the curved path.

       

      ShiftClickDragging will move the segments vertically, horizontally, or midway in between (every 45 degrees). If the adjecent sides to cut are at a different angle, you will need to ClickDrag perpendicularly to that angle to avoid distortion.

       

      M
      MYK14Author
      Participant
      May 1, 2023

      Hi, 

      Thank you for the suggestion. I'm having a difficult time following correctly. I'll try to find some more videos to understand better. I get confused with the X & F controls because all it does it make my screen either full screen or full screen with no menus that would normally be at the top of my screen. I'll keep playing around with it, & hopefully come to what I'm looking for. 

       

      Thanks! 

      Met1
      Met1
      Legend
      April 28, 2023

      >a box with a curved life

      That threw me...

      Like this:

      Pattern Brush...

      Might need some finagling to get exactly what you want...

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 28, 2023

      Sounds like you can drag your object into the brushes panel, make an art brush, and then draw a path. But might also be something completely differebnt. PLease show something.

      Jacob Bugge
      Community Expert
      Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 28, 2023

      MYK14,

       

      As I (mis)understand it, you can:

       

      1) Extend each box to overlap the line, maybe just by (deselecting and) ShiftClickingDragging (holding Shift while ClickDragging) the relevant path segment with the Direct Selection Tool to be fully the other side of the curved path so that both the adjacent sides are stretched enough to cross it;

      2) Click the curved path with the (normal) Selection Tool, then press X then F (then X then F if needed) to bring it on top of the boxes, then apply Object>Path>Divide Objects Below;

      3) Select and delete the unwanted boxes on the wrong side of the curved path.

       

      The ShiftClickDragging will move the segments vertically, horizontally, or midway in between (every 45 degrees). If the adjecent sides to cut are at a different angle, you will need to ClickDrag perpendicularly to that angle to avoid distortion.

       

       

      pixxxelschubser
      Community Expert
      pixxxelschubserCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 28, 2023

      Sorry, but I didn't understand your question. Can you show something, please?

       

      M
      MYK14Author
      Participant
      April 30, 2023

      Thanks for the reply. here's a visual of what I'm trying to do. Hopefully this will bring some clairifcation. 

       

       **in case the caption doesn't show -- I'd like the bottom of the buildings to be alongside or become one with the line of the curved path. 

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