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heysharona
Known Participant
March 1, 2021
Answered

Can I create dots or dashes on the intersections of a polar grid?

  • March 1, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 1464 views

I have a polar grid that is 660 x 660 with 382 radial lines and 43 concentric circles, i would like to create dots or dashes on each intersection but can't figure out how to do that. I would also like some different smaller dots evenly spaced along the radial lines and the concentric circles.

 

I've tried doing dotted strokes, but cannot get them to space appropriately (2.83465pts apparently measuring 1mm but with rounded dots the measurements won't line up)

 

I've also tried creating a line of correctly spaced dots, then using the rotate tool, but with so many radial lines and a small amount of rotational degrees (0.942408377), i can't quite get the rotation to be exact. And i have a lot of other precise stuff to put on the polar grid so it definitely needs to be exact. 

 

Each concentric circle is 7.5mm spaced apart. 

 

Hoping someone might be able to help! Thank you 🙂

Correct answer Ton Frederiks

These are not real dots, but anchor points with an effect.

To make them into dots, choose Object > Expand Appearance

There are probably multiple dots on top of each other, to remove the additional dots:

Select Object > Live Paint > Make

Select Object > Live Paint > Expand

4 replies

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 1, 2021

These are not real dots, but anchor points with an effect.

To make them into dots, choose Object > Expand Appearance

There are probably multiple dots on top of each other, to remove the additional dots:

Select Object > Live Paint > Make

Select Object > Live Paint > Expand

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 1, 2021

    You may try this:

    Create your grid (don't fill it). (you may want to keep a copy on another layer and hide it)

    Select: Object > Live Paint > Make

    Select: Object > Live Paint > Expand

    Select: Object > Ungroup (3 times).

    Select: Select > Object > Direction Handles

    Delete the selection (you will have only single anchor points).

    In the Appearance panel choose Effects > Convert to Shape > Ellipse (turn off the preview)

    Choose an absolute size and click OK

    You may want to turn off the stroke and give it a fill in the Appearance panel.

    With your settings, I found some additional dots in the horizontal center and removed them manually.

      H
      heysharonaAuthor
      Known Participant
      March 2, 2021

      When i get to Object > Direction Handles - i can't see that as an option in the menu, am i misunderstanding?

       

      Really really appreciate your help - thank you!

       

       

      H
      heysharonaAuthor
      Known Participant
      March 2, 2021

      Sorry - found it, under Select menu. 

       

      This has worked brilliantly, thank you very much for this solution

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 1, 2021

      Is this what you are looking for (with more dividers and rings)?

      H
      heysharonaAuthor
      Known Participant
      March 1, 2021

      Yes, that's it!

      H
      heysharonaAuthor
      Known Participant
      March 1, 2021

      How to make that magic happen? Especially on a really heavy polar grid? 

      Kurt Gold
      Community Expert
      Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 1, 2021

      Your description is pretty detailed, but I think it may be helpful if you were providing a sketch with some instructions that may explain what you are looking for.

       

      Also, which version of Illustrator are you using?

       

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