Page 48 - CS6_AI_Look_Inside.pdf
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9. Choose Object>Path>Join.
This command connects any two selected open endpoints. If the selected points overlap,
as in this exercise, the two points are simply combined into a single corner endpoint. If
the two selected points do not overlap, Illustrator automatically connects them with a
straight line segment.
10. Choose the Selection tool to reveal the bounding box for the selected object.
Connecting the points
converts the two line
segments into a single object.
11. Save the file and continue to the next exercise.
reFlect drawing oBjects
Illustrator includes four important transformation tools — Rotate, Reflect, Scale, and
Shear. Each of these transformations can be applied by hand using the related tool
in the Tools panel, as well as numerically using the appropriate dialog box from the
Object>Transform menu.
Much of the work you do in Illustrator requires changing objects that already exist.
In this exercise, you use reflection to create additional sections of the snowflake icon.
1. With icons.ai open, choose the Selection tool in the Tools panel. Make sure
the angled-branch object is selected on the artboard.
Because the Selection tool is active, you can now see the bounding box of the selected
object — both angled lines, which have been joined into a single object.
2. Choose Object>Transform>Reflect.
You can reflect objects around the vertical or horizontal axis at specific degrees. In this
case, you want to make the branches at the bottom of the snowflake, so you need to
reflect the object around the horizontal axis.
3. In the Reflect dialog box, make sure the Preview check box is active.
The Preview option, which is available in all of the Illustrator transformation dialog
boxes, allows you to see the effects of your changes before you commit them.
4. Choose the Horizontal option and click Copy.
If you click OK in any of the transformation dialog boxes, the transformation directly
affects the selected object. Because you want another branch for the bottom of the flake,
you are using the Copy function instead of simply clicking OK.
When Preview is The original object
checked, you can remains in position.
see the result of The Copy
clicking OK.
option reflects
the new object.
56 Project 1: International Symbols
