Connecting a complex web of paths correctly
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Hey gang,
I am trying to create a vector graphic of this tile from my grammie's house. I need all those square shapes to make a vector like this:
This is a bit map I managed to make up in Photoshop. It's important that these lines are all perfectly even and that the shapes are all evenly spaced apart for the program that I will be importing it into. How do I make this vector? Please help me. I'm frustrated and angry and I want to cry like a toddler.
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Place this as a template in Illustrator and then draw the shapes. You might want to refer to the documentation for beginners.
Make the black lines as uniform strokes.
When done, expand the strokes, combine them and then basically you have your evenly distributed shapes.
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Samuel,
It is possible to create a completely accurate vector version of the in a simple and safe way, that you may even find playful.
It can be based on just the two angles 90 and 45 degrees along with four key measurements which you have probably used (in)directly in creating the PS raster version:
S = (outer) side measurment
F = frame width
X = width of the bands forming the cross
D = width of the bands following the diamond shape.
Smart Guides are your friends, saying when you are within snaping distance of the relevant parts.
You may, using stroke/nofill paths with Butt Cap:
1) Use the Rectangle Tool to create the outer square with W = H = S to create the outer sides, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F to create a copy and hide the original, then reselect (the copy);
2) Object>Path>Offset path with the offset = -F to create the inner sides of the frame;
3) Object>Path>Add Anchor Points (once) as preparation;
4) With the Line Segment Tool ClickDrag between corresponding corners of the squares from 1) and 2) to create the divisions of the (outer) frame (Smart Guides say anchor when you are within snapping distance);
5) Create a rectangle with W = X and H = 1.5*S, then ShiftClick the outer square from 1) with the Selection Tool and Click the outer square once more, then Align>Align Objects and apply both Horizontal and Vertical Align Center;
6) Click the high rectangle again and Object>Rotate by 45 degrees, then Object>Rotate by 45 degrees as a copy to create the basic shape of the cross bands;
7) With the Pen Tool Click the centre Anchor Points on the inner frame sides and click the first one again to close;
8 ) Object>Path>Offset path with the offset = D to create the basic shape of the diamond formed bands;
9) With the Line Segment Tool ClickDrag to create the centre + cross between opposite intersections of the sides of the crossing bands (Smart Guides say intersect when you are within snapping distance);
10) Select both lines from 8 ) and Ctrl/Cmd+G to Group them, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F to create a copy and hide the original;
Now you have all the (basic) shapes/parts;
Depending on your version, you may:
11A) Use the Shape Builder Tool to simply remove the unwanted parts (parts of lines crosing bands and outlying parts of the cross bands), see this Helpfile,
https://helpx.adobe.com/search-results.html?q=shape+builder+tool&scope=%5B%22helpx%22%5D&subscope=%5...
11B) Select everything (Ctrl/Cmd+A or ClickDrag across everything with the Selection Tool), then Pathfinder>Divide which will create a Group of closed paths, then Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+G to Ungroup, then use the Selection Tool to ClickDrag across unwanted lines and Pathfinder>Unite to unite adjacent paths, then select the parts outside the outer sides and delete them, then Ctrl/Cmd+A+G to recreate the Group;
If you need to have filled paths, you may:
12) Apply a fill to everything (Ctrl/Cmd+A then apply the Fill in the Toolbox, then if needed change/delete (the fill colour of) relevant parts.
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