How do I make these spirograph type patterns in Illustrator CS6 please?

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Hi, I'm probably being a complete idiot but I have a real mental block with this, can someone tell me how I make a pattern like this in Illustrator (CS6) please? I'd like to be able to make the loops bigger (and smaller) too as shown in orange but want all the loops to be exactly the same size, it all needs to be accurate.

Whilst I'm here I'd like to know how to do these too please if anyone knows how I'd go about it? Any help muchly appreciated, thanks :O)

Report · Jun 20, 2017

To make the top shape, select the star tool and click on the artboard. You'll want a fairly large Radius 2 in proportion to Radius 1. 6 points.

Select all but one of the anchor points with the Direct Selection tool.

Click the Convert to Smooth Anchor points icon in the Control panel.

Select just the last anchor point and convert it with the same icon.

With the Direct Selection tool, select just one of the outer anchor points at a time, double-click on the Rotate tool in the Tools panel, and rotate 180 degrees.

Repeat for each of the outer anchor points.

Select each of the outer anchor points, one at a time, double-click the Scale tool in the Tools panel, and adjust the scale.

Your example is the most labor intensive spirograph. There are many tutorials on the web for various spirograph designs. Most of them are simpler to make. Here are a couple you might find interesting:

https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-vector-spirograph-designs--vector-1140

How To Make A Spirograph Effect In Illustrator - Laughing Lion Design - Learn Photoshop & Lightroom

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Hi Barbara, thanks so much for your help, I'm going to try this now.

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Hi Barbara,

I have followed your instructions and all is good, thanks, the only thing is I would like to have more leaf shape loops (drawn in yellow) and make the middle anchor points (ringed) smoother as they currently show a little. Do you know how I would do these two things please?

Many thanks.

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Apologies, I forgot to attach the image, here it is....

Report · Jun 20, 2017

To smooth the inner points, click each of the inner points and click the convert tool.

Will get back to you. Have to leave now.

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Continuing my reply . . .

To make the loops more leaf shape, with the Direct Selection tool, select one of the inside points. Then double click on the Scale tool in the Tools panel and increase the uniform scale. Repeat for the other inside points.

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Thanks Barbara,

When I increase the size of the point, it does make the loops bigger but still not leaf shaped, you can see on my illustration the loop (in black stroke) is still squashed at the top (i have manually manipulated the shape, showing in an orange stroke, to illustrate the kind of shape of loop I'd like but this was done with lots of random moves of the handles and I'd like to do them precisely and together so they scale proportionally). I guess I have to edit the shape of the loops myself but as I say, the problem then is making all the loops identical.

Is it possible to pull in two handles from one anchor point at the same time to scale the loop proportionally - as shown with red arrows on the black stroke illustration? I'm thinking I shall have to draw one loop (with the a little path either side of it) as I'd like it and then repeat the loop every 60 degrees with the rotate tool and then join the paths all together?

I have added the blue arrow on my illustration to the middle anchor point because it is a rounded handle but it still isn't smooth, you can see it's slightly straighter in that area and I was wondering if there is a way to smooth it further, again, to do this proportionally with all the slightly unsmooth anchor points. If I do it manually there is a high chance the points will not all look exactly the same, hence why I'm wondering if it's easier to create one loop with a little path coming off each side and then repeat it every 60 degrees and then join them together? It seems long winded but I'm not sure how else to do it to get it all identical.

Thanks again for your help 🙂

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Unfortunately, Illustrator does not have a way to pull two handles from the same anchor point to scale the loops proportionally. The only way to do that is by double-clicking a transformation tool and editing the handles in a dialog box, like the scale and rotate dialog boxes shown in my previous post. (You don't know how long I have wished for Adobe to add the feature you describe!!!)

Yes, to adjust the points by hand and make the object perfectly symmetrical, you'll need to create a portion and then repeat it as Doug is showing in his screen capture.

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Use the fleurify script on a hexagon. Unfortunately there is not preview, but you can experiment with the numbers to get the loops you desire.

http://files.kaleidoscopechicago.com/_L5-DILbs8T8svR

CREATIVE_fleurify.js

5 KB

The URL will expire on July 20.

I have methods for making other spirograph, but the last one will take me quite some time to figure out.

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Hi Mike, thanks so much, sorry to be a nitwit, but can you tell me how I add the script to Illustrator?

Report · Jun 20, 2017

You can just use it through File > Scripts > Other script

Or you can install it in the scripts folde inside the Presets folder.

Please do also see the documentation

Automation with scripts in Illustrator

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Hi Monika,

Thanks for the info, that's great. I have seen various scripts online by Hiroyuki Sato and John Wundes but is it too dodgy to run/install these on my Mac, I'm worried that they may contain script to do some monkey business on my Mac as I cannot read script?

I have also been kindly been sent some script from a user on this forum (Mike Gondek) but again I'm a little unsure if is safe to run/install.

Do you know of safe places online to source scripts?

Any advice very much welcome.

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Illustrator scripts are very very safe to install. They do not do anything until you run them, and they cannot do anything to affect how your OS runs or install a trojan horse or similar. They only affect your illustrator file and in over 20 years have never seen a harmful Illustrator script even on windows. I can understand and support being cautious, but a shame to limit yourself as so many wonderful scripts are out there.

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Many thanks Mike and Monika, that is good to know. REALLY appreciate your help :O)

Report · Jun 21, 2017

with a reflect and transform effect on a layer (and an invisible box), you could make it so you only have to edit one path segment to get a pattern that repeats around a spiral:

here's an AI file if you wanna take a look:

Dropbox - spirograph.ai

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Do you know of safe places online to source scripts?

As Mike already wrote I have yet to find a harmful script, but I understand your concerns.

If you need to be 100% certain, find an IT person you trust and have them check the scripts for you.

Report · Jun 20, 2017

Quick Easy Method

Choose the file >> script >> there script > and go to a location on your hard drive.

Permanent Method

Move to \Applications\Adobe Illustrator CC 2017\Presets.localized\en_US\Scripts

and restart illutrator
Automation with scripts in Illustrator

I put mine in an extra folder with my name on that, as easier to move around on computers and separate my scripts form standard ones.

Report · Jun 21, 2017

JET

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Great technique from JET!

Then, to get the leaf shape you could add an anchor point to the top of each loop. Select only those anchor points.

Select the Scale tool and drag diagonally again.

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Thanks Barbara and everyone for so much help. Last night I was banging my head against a brick wall and now I've got the image I need. Hurray, thank you!

So, just whilst I'm here, does anyone have any tips on how this illustration was produced? I'd like to create something similar and love the fact the loops are inside the circle.

Thanks again for any help on this, I owe everyone a big drink ;O)

Report · Jun 21, 2017

That looks like a simplified venus pentagram. There is a script that can draw it, but it only works with Illustrator CS5 and earlier.

Free and Useful Adobe Illustrator Scripts with Scriptographer - Astute Graphics

Report · Jun 21, 2017

Oh my gosh Barbara, that is it exactly, you're a wealth of invaluable information thank you. Unfortunately, I am on CS6 so can't use the scripts but at least I know what it is and I'm happy to recreate something based on it myself. I know I keep saying it, but thanks so much for all your help.