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Attaching shapes to diagonal edges

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
August 21, 2022
6 replies
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Hi guys,

I am creating a 3d shape and want to attach some tabs to my sides.

the horizontal edge at the top is easy as I just measured the length of this side, and I can attach my shape. When trying to attach my rectangular tab shape to the diaganol edge, it is not lining up accurately.

I have tried to amend the angle to match but it doesn't seem to work.

what Is the easiest way to achieve this?

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Correct answer Monika Gause

As Ton already wrote: turn on Smart guides.

Also turn on Snap to point.

Turn off Snap to grid (interferes with smart guides)

Turn off the bounding box (because you need to grab corners)

Assuming you start with a horizontal rectangle.

With the selection tool grab the object by the bottom left corner and move it on the corner where it should match. Smart guides and the cursor symbol will tell you when you hit.

Then take the rotation tool.

Click once on the corner that already matches. This sets the rotation center there

Grab the other bottom right corner and mve it on the other corner of that hexagon. Again the smart guides and the cursor symbol will tell you when you hit.

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

defaultd,

As far as I can see, you have different side lengths, so you have to establish the length for each, before creating the horizontal rectangle, and then snap and rotate to snap.

With the way suggested by Kurt (requiring a cunning Art Brush made once and for all), you just ClickDraw along each side from corner to corner to snap, no measurements, then apply the Art Brush.

With the two ways suggested by me and myself, you just start with each path segment itself, no snapping, no measurements.

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

defaultd,

Maybe even farther out if you just need the appearance of tabs you can, after deselecting (Click an empty spot):

For each side path segment, using the Direct Selection Tool:

1) Click the path segment, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F+X+B (hold Ctrl or Cmd and press C then F then X then F) to create a new line behind everything,

2) Set the Stroke Weight to twice the desired tab width, then Object Path>Outline Stroke.

With this the inward part of each tab will be hidden behind the 3D shape.

Then you can select all and switch to the Eyedropper Tool and Click the 3D shape to get stroke and fill.

Kurt Gold

Community Expert

If you are going to do that more often, you may consider to create art brushes and draw the flaps with them right on the spot.

You may also completely automate it with an action.

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

defaultd,

Maybe far too far out you can, after deselecting (Click an empty spot):

For each side path segment, using the Direct Selection Tool:

1) Click the path segment, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F+X+F (hold Ctrl or Cmd and press C then F then X then F) to create a new line on top of everything,

2) Object>Path>Offset Path with the offset equalling the width of the tab shape to create a rectangle extending both outwards and inwards,

3) Hold Alt/Option and Shift and Click the path from 1) and then the offset path from 2) to select them both, then Pathfinder>Divide to split the rectangle from 3), then hold Alt/Option and Click the inward path and delete it.

Repeating this ought to give you the accurate and accurately placed tabs for all the sides.

Then you can select all and switch to the Eyedropper Tool and Click the 3D shape to get stroke and fill.

Monika Gause

Correct answer

Community Expert

As Ton already wrote: turn on Smart guides.

Also turn on Snap to point.

Turn off Snap to grid (interferes with smart guides)

Turn off the bounding box (because you need to grab corners)

Assuming you start with a horizontal rectangle.

With the selection tool grab the object by the bottom left corner and move it on the corner where it should match. Smart guides and the cursor symbol will tell you when you hit.

Then take the rotation tool.

Click once on the corner that already matches. This sets the rotation center there

Grab the other bottom right corner and mve it on the other corner of that hexagon. Again the smart guides and the cursor symbol will tell you when you hit.