How to make a branching curved line

[Matt Sk]

Hi Everyone!

This a post that I think I previously put in the wrong place. Sorry if it turns into a double post. 

I have attached a .png for reference. I am trying to replicate this line effect, (going from one line and breaking into several to point to various points) in illustrator. I have tried figuring out of on my own with no success unfortunately. I feel like I'm missing something.

Want help or guidance is be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you all for your time. 

Matt

[Bobby Henderson · Accepted solution]

There are multiple ways how to create that branching effect. The method I would most likely use is draw open path for the "tree trunk" part of the object and then lock it into place. I would draw 3 paths from the point where the branches would start spreading from the trunk (the two outer paths and the middle path). I would use those 3 paths to create blends with specific numbers of steps to fill in all the other branches.

[Matt Sk]

Thank you for the response and help.

All this time with Illustrator, and I've never really become familiar with the blend tool. I will most definitely give your and @Mike_Gondek method a try.

Thank you so much for the help

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

1. Draw the left branch using pen tool
2. Copy, paste in front, then mirror to make the that right branch
3. Use the blend tool with specified steps to create teh branches in between

[Matt Sk]

This works beautifully. 

You and @Bobby Henderson gave me the quick fix I needed. I appreciate both your help (and @Monika Gause for her cool direction to graphing).

I still love learning all the things Illustrator can do that I never knew before. 

Thank you for your help and direction. 

[Monika Gause]

You're welcome.

Blends are a fountain of joy and you will love the things you can do with them.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

So you didn't read the answer I gave you yesterday? https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/help-with-line-effect/m-p/13883119 

[Matt Sk]

Yes, I did. Thank you so much for that. I thought I posted it in the wrong place because the d3.js suggestion (which looks really cool, but way beyond my pay grade). You have me interested in learning how to work with that tool. As it is, I don't have the time to learn it to effectively use it on this project.

Again, thank you so much for your help and fast response, work and kids keep me underwater 😊