5

I am working on isometric design that will be printed on the 1000mm x 2000mm Roll Up. Design includes lots of similar paths that should be perfectly aligned and create isometric 3d scene (image 1.)

enter image description here

I made diagonal guides (30° and - 30°) in order to create paths and aligned them together. It worked fine until I find out that some paths were not aligned as I wished and when zoom in the scene white gaps can been seen. Each path was created from original one (Alt key - Select the path) moved and aligned manually to the next neighbour.

enter image description here

However, now I am trying to find the best solution to adjust them and align perfectly without too much manual tweaking. Is there any way to automate the process and connect neighbouring anchors? I know there is a function in most 3D software named “connect vertices”, but is there something similar in Illustrator?

I am using Illustrator CS5 and CS6.

Thank you.

Improve this question
1
  • 3
    Nice picture i really like it. Tip: Do not accept your posts so fast wait if theres somebody with a better answer first. This gets you more views and possibly better answers (not my one its more of a how to do this in future kind of thing).
    – joojaa
    Jul 30, 2015 at 9:57

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
11

I won't directly answer the question, I will, instead suggest an alternate workflow. The benefit of this workflow is that it is guaranteed that you will not get this problem.

  1. First build a isometric grid. Make vertical lines and rotate the field 2 times with 120 degree offset. Tip: If you make the lines uncolored then you can just directly color the image.

Isometric grid

  1. Then use the shape builder tool to make your shapes. TIP: When in shape builder tool you can assign colors to the fill and stroke, before dragging. That style will be put on the shape.

Screen capture

Image 2: Timelapse of building with shape builder.

Now you are guaranteed never to hit and miss. Working speed is also most likely much faster.

Improve this answer
2
  • Great tip Joojaa. That looks a lot faster than the OPs original workflow.
    – Dom
    Jul 30, 2015 at 12:49
  • 1
    @Dom i am circumventing the fact that one can not make a custom noncartesian snapping grid in Illustrator. Using guides is ofyen a hit and miss kind of thing. And the API does not provide tools for this kind of stuff, without reimplementing line and pen tool.
    – joojaa
    Jul 30, 2015 at 13:20
7

My way to align/join etc multiple points is as follows:

Press "A" and choose the points in question -

enter image description here

Now, right click and choose Average->Both:

enter image description here

+

enter image description here

The result:

enter image description here

gif:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    In addition to this... switching to Outline Mode often makes click-dragging to select multiple anchors much easier.
    – Scott
    Jul 30, 2015 at 9:27
  • 1
    @Scott I've thought to mention command+Y but thought the ts knows about it...
    – Ilan
    Jul 30, 2015 at 9:32

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

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