How to Add Shapes (e.g., Dots) Around a Non-Circular Shape in Illustrator

[claualbany]

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to add forms, like dots, around a custom shape in Illustrator. Specifically, I want to replicate something like the dots surrounding the heart in the attached example.

The tutorials I’ve found so far mostly cover adding shapes around circles, but this is not a circular shape. I’m struggling to figure out how to distribute the dots evenly around a non-circular shape like a heart.

Could someone guide me on how to achieve this? Are there any Illustrator tools or techniques that work well for this type of task?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Conrad_C]

The demo below shows two ways. Others might think of more.

On the left, I select one circle and use it to create an adjustable Pattern Brush.

On the right, I select many circles and use the recently added new command Object > Objects on Path > Attach, which is also adjustable.

Objects on Path might be easier to control and to evenly distribute. One advantage of Objects on Path is being able to attach different objects along one path (like ten different graphics). However, based on your example, it looks like you’ll be making all of the objects the same circle like I did.

[Monika Gause]

Try and use the Object on a path function.

Or scatter brushes.

If you use pattern brushes, the circles will get distorted.