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

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
June 20, 2017
7 replies
6509 views

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)

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Correct answer barbara_a7746676

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

E

edgrimley

Participating Frequently

Another possible way to go about it:

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

To be a little more precise:

Set Spirograph Elements Collection Abstract Shapes Stock Vector 296347049 - Shutterstock

M

MissSparkles75Author

Known Participant

Hi, yes I have asked Evgeniia but I haven't heard anything back as yet.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

OK, in the meantime you can use and modify her files when you have bought them.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Why don't you ask the one who made these?

Evgeniia Speshneva's Portfolio on Shutterstock

barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

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.

M

MissSparkles75Author

Known Participant

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)

barbara_a7746676

Correct answer

Community Expert

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

JETalmage

Inspiring

JET

Mike_Gondek10189183

Community Expert

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.

M

MissSparkles75Author

Known Participant

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

Monika Gause

Community Expert

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

barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

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