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Using Illustrator, I am trying to blend objects in a circular fashion but can't seem to find a satisfying solution. I have considered using the rotate tool, copying the rotated object around a central axis and then holding down command-d to complete the "blend" but find this method inefficient. I have also considered replacing the spline of a blend with a circle, but it seems that no matter what, the blend can never go past 3/4 of a circle (see GIF below). Am I missing something?

enter image description here

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2 Answers 2

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This happens when you replace the spine of a blend with a closed path. The blend can't use the same point as a beginning and end point so you get a section of your path not being used.

To fix the issue just use the Scissors Tool (C) on the path to create an open path.

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  • Works partially because I lose the alignment to path
    – gmorissette
    Apr 29, 2016 at 20:39
  • That is a separate issue. Blend doesn't always work well with complex curves. You can break your blend in to smaller sections if you need to.
    – Cai
    Apr 29, 2016 at 20:44
  • Not exactly the same situation but you can see what I mean by breaking the blend in to smaller section in this answer.
    – Cai
    Apr 29, 2016 at 20:45
  • @luimeme I just recreated the same blend as your example and cut the path as in my answer and there were no issues with alignment?
    – Cai
    Apr 29, 2016 at 20:54
  • I was cutting the path BEFORE blending. Thank you very much this was a major annoyance.
    – gmorissette
    Apr 29, 2016 at 21:01
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Object>Path>Add Anchor Points will add more points around the circle.

Blends seem to behave a little more as expected if you add some anchor points to the circle before setting it as the new spine.

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  • Works partially because I lose the alignment to path
    – gmorissette
    Apr 29, 2016 at 20:40
  • Adding anchor points will help but it's better to add the points yourself or use an open path by cutting the path yourself. Using Add Anchor Points will only half the section of the path that isn't being used.
    – Cai
    Apr 29, 2016 at 20:50

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