Generate random straightline paths in Illustrator

[alexanderi15505565]

Hello all,

is there anyway to automatically generate Random straight like the ones shown on the image?

Kind regards Alexander Ibsen

[jane-e]

Not unless someone has written a script or a plugin.

What are you trying to accomplish? Maybe we can help another way?

[alexanderi15505565]

I'm trying, to make an image full of straight lines patterns in different colors.

Just like the image i posted, but with many lines all over the white background.

[jane-e]

Hi Alexander,

It’s probably best just to use the Pen tool if you want them connected as they are in your sample. There is nothing built in to do it automatically.

Drawing will be quick. If you’re like me, editing will be slower. You can move the shapes, move the anchor points, reorder the objects, and recolor them. Ask if you need more help.

~ Jane

[Ton Frederiks]

Maybe apply the Distort & Transform > Roughen Effect to a series of lines and Expand Appearance?

[jane-e]

Ton, can you click on one of your lines and change the stroke color?

[Ton Frederiks]

After Expanding Appearance, yes.

The result is probably too regular horizontal or vertical

Probably better, after Expanding to select all and choose Select > Object > Direction Handles.

Choose Edit > Cut to remove the lines.

Copy the resulting anchor points and choose Object > Path > Join

Give it a stroke color.

Paste the Anchor points and use Object > Transform Each with the Random option checked to move and Rotate the anchor points

Join again, Color the strokes and repeat when necessary.

[jane-e]

That’s nice!

[alexanderi15505565]

Thank you Ton!

But I don't understand the steps after expanding appereance?

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Let me show you the steps.

[jane-e]

Ton, it’s a brilliant solution!

[Ton Frederiks]

jane-e  wrote

Ton, it’s a brilliant solution!

If both of you say so, then it must be true

[jane-e]

We do, and it is!

[barbara_a]

... and this makes 3.

[DougKatz]

Yes. Brilliant.

[barbara_a]

This wouldn't be automatic, but you could drag with the Pencil too to create a bunch of random lines. Then select the anchor points and click the Convert Selected Anchor Points to Corner icon. The icon won't appear if you select a complete path. You could take the Lasso selection tool and loop around a bunch of anchor points being careful not to select all of the anchor points on a path.

After that you could select all the paths and choose a Spectrum gradient for the stroke. From the swatches panel menu choose Open Swatch Library > Gradients > Spectrum.

[Cactus Cowboy]

Ton, that's a cool effect. Everything works just like you explained. My question is: Up to the instructions of clearing the handles leaving only the anchor points is there a way to make the anchors show up individually IOW's, just making the anchor points predominant? That would be a great way to make fast halftoning scatter brushes. Thanks for the quick tutorial you gave, I'm putting that one into my bag of tricks.

Strange, as long as I've worked with Illustrator there's still a lot of filters I've never even touched. I've alway figured...I'll get 'em, but so far I never have LOL!

[Monika Gause]

You could apply the effect > convert to shape > ellipse to all of them.

Then Expand appearance.

[Ton Frederiks]

And use the Random Swatches fill script to make confetti.

[Mica M.]

Count me in, that makes 4

[Ton Frederiks]

Thanks, with effects you won't see the anchor points that are generated by the effect until you expand the appearance.