2

Basically I have been using the Pen Tool to create cloud shapes similar to the image below. I feel it can be a bit time consuming. Isn't there any way I can increase my workflow of making such shapes using another approach or a plugin (not too expensive)?

enter image description here

|improve this question
  • Sorry if this is a bad answer, but can't you save the paths and add it onto another project? Then, you can mask out the part you don't want? – Ben Boy Apr 16 '15 at 1:22
5

The Shape Builder might be the best friend you never knew you had, here. It's a tool that allows you to add shapes together easily and quickly, even better than the Pathfinder does. Create a group of objects, select them, and select the Shape Builder tool (Shift+M). Drag to add shapes together and Alt-drag to exclude them.

In this cae, you could first set up a grid of horizontal lines, with lots of circle shapes repeated horizontally. Those would be the building blocks you can use to build your cloud shapes with:

enter image description here

enter image description here

|improve this answer
  • Thank you. I followed your instructions. I created one circle in a grid and transformed it to give me a row of circles but the ungroup has been grayed-out. How can I make each of circles individual objects? – NSologistic Apr 15 '15 at 12:39
  • I'm sorry, I don't follow that question. What I did was draw the horzontal lines, one circle and copy that over and over (Ctrl/Cmd + D) and then use the shape builder. – Vincent Apr 15 '15 at 12:42
  • I rather used the transform effect to make the other circles. All my circles (in a row) where seen as one object. I wanted to separate them but I couldn't. – NSologistic Apr 15 '15 at 12:50
  • 1
    ah! then you'll want to Object > Expand Appearance that group to actually turn them into actual objects. – Vincent Apr 15 '15 at 12:52
  • I haven't been able to get the effect you have. My shapes are quite different and I am not sure where they are (I can't find them in the objects in the layer). Here is a screenshot Grid for Shapes of what I've done – NSologistic Apr 15 '15 at 15:31
2

here's the old way using path finders

  1. draw some round cap paths

enter image description here

  1. add more round cap paths, to use as negative space

enter image description here

  1. select all paths and go to Object->Expand->Stroke

enter image description here

  1. draw some rectangles where you want to connect the green clouds

enter image description here

  1. select the rectangles and the green clouds, apply Unite PathFinder

enter image description here

  1. select both your new shape plus your negative space beige shapes and apply Minus Back PathFinder

enter image description here

  1. done

enter image description here

|improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.