Problem with Envelope Distort / Problem mit Verzerrrungshüllen

[DoRo.]

Hi fellow creatives. I have a problem with envelope distorts. I use them with the command "Envelope Distort > Make with Top Object". With some objects that works very well, with others not. I do not get why.

Example:

I wanna bring the grid of rectangles on the blue form. If I test it with the white form everything works (please look at row 1, figure 1 – 3), if I test it with the blue form (please look at row 2, figure 1 – 3, same form as the white, just a bit smaller, constructed with "Path > Offset Path"), I get the wavy result which is useless. Any idea why thats so and how I can avoid it or make it better? Or get the result I need, maybe with another workflow? I tried free transforming, but it was not that helpful.

I use Adobe Illustrator CC, 2019, 23.1.1.

Thanks in advance for your time and tipps!

[DoRo.]

Additional information: The wavy result seems to come from two achor points, which where added automatically during the "envelope process". The example on the top (the white form) has 4 anchor points in the end, the example on the bottom has 6 anchor points. The problem – Now I might understand the wavy result (please correct me if I get this wrong), but I still have no idea how to solve this, caus I can not remove the useless anchor points to adjust the envelope. So still need your help, this problem is driving me crazy. Thanks in advance for your time and tipps!

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Select the 4 points of your envelope that should be the corners with the direct selection tool. Then use Object > Make gradient mesh to make a mesh. (this will only work with paths that have more then 4 points)

Then select the mesh and the artwork and make the envelope with top object.

[DoRo.]

First of all thanks for your help and effords. I have tried this way, but it did not work unfortunately. Maybe I do not get it. I added a 5th anchor point to the blue form, activated the 4 anchor points which build the corners and chose Object > Make gradient mesh, but nothing happend. Maybe the gradient mesh only works on straight forms? I tried that, it worked, but not in the case of my oblique form o_O What am I doing wrong? So sorry.

[DoRo.]

Hi again. Now it worked 🙂 Thanks a lot! Something seems have been wrong with the oblique form. I used Object – Expand Appearance, just as a test and after that the gradient mesh worked and everything else too. I really apprechiate your help.