[Vincent Rosati]

Try using the Object > Blend > Replace Spline feature. Not sure if it’ll achieve what you need, but it will give you more control.

Basically, near your blend object, create another 2-point path, and give the endpoints .
Use the Anchor Point Tool on the endpoints to draw out handlebars and curve the path.
Select your blend object and the new ‘spine’ and .. > Replace Spine.

It might be helpful to upload an image or work file.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Or, here’s another way…

1) Select your text background (the shield) and delete the fill.

2) Select your wood object, including the rings, and Object > Expand: Fill & Stroke.

3) With the object still selected, Window > Pathfinder > Unite.

4) Select the Group Select Tool, and click on the path of the shield.
Do Copy + Edit > Paste in Back, then Object > Arrange > Send to Back.
With the duplicate shield still selected, Shift + Select the wood and Window > Pathfinder > Minus Back.

If you lose control of the duplicate shield, you can Ctrl + Z to step back, or Object > Lock the upper shield so you can select the lower shield.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

One way is to make compound shapes.
A ‘C’ is a single path. An ‘O’ is a compound path.

Make a big square on your artboard, and give it a color.
Then make a small circle inside the square.
Then select both shapes and Object > Compound Path > Make.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Here’s a more thorough explanation..

Project File: 11606_gradpat.zip

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

I’d say they started with perfect shapes at the beginning and the end – The circle core and the straight line extending out to the right side.
Then, yes, hand drawing the joining path. Just use the minimum amount of points, and you should be good.

“Is there a way to make other Illustrator elements follow curves?”
Make the object into a brush pattern.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Basically, you need a diagonal pattern..
Then use the Blend tool to blend 2 values in the object – Color and opacity.
Then duplicate the blended pattern and flip it, and position on top of the original pattern.

Generally..

1) Press ‘M’ then click the artboard to make a box. Enter 80 x 800 PX, or whatever. Apply your base color.

2) Select the rectangle and Object > Skew > -45 deg.

3) Shift + Opt + Drag the object to the side to duplicate it.

4) Set the fill of the duplicate to white ad set the opacity to zero.

5) Select the 2 objects and Object > Blend > Make, then Object > Blend > Settings: Specified Steps.
Here, you’ll see how AI can programmatically generate objects.
Use the Direct or Group select tool to resize or reposition the objects to their desired locations.

This should get you started. Let us know if you need any more tips.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Start with expanded text.
Make a big M and a little M.
Then do Object > Blend > Make. Then Object > Blend > Blend Options: Specified Steps: 20 or whatever, Orientation: Align.

To achieve the curve, make a path that approximates the spiral, then select the blended text and the new path then Object > Blend > Replace Spine.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

They just want the AI file and any other assets that may be associated with it, typically raster images.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

“for Most of users out there, should we actually be Only using RGB?”
I think so, yes.
I worked with large format digital printing for a while, and very often RGB project files would print better.

I read every word of your post and appreciated it.

It’s occurred to me that Adobe has modified how color conversions happen in and between apps, over time. I suspect that I’m familiar with your exact headache.
I’m at the point where I’ll keep 2 ‘masters’, CMYK and RGB. I say ‘masters’ because you can’t have 2 masters. It’s silliness.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

As you identified, this would take some time, to illustrate as vector. If you really knew Illustrator’s tools, it might take 15 minutes. Otherwise…

Create a horizontal path with the pen tool.
Duplicate it, a few inches below, or just draw another path.
Select both paths and Object > Blend > Blend Options: Specified Steps: 18.
Then Object > Blend > Make.
Position the points.
Adjust the stroke weight.
Object > Expand.

Or, if you want perspective in your lines, you could make the grids using the above technique.
Then expand the object before reshaping. Now instead of reshaping, use the 3D rotate tool, and expand again when done.

Or, another option might be to just create a high-contrast alpha channel from one of the RGB channels in Photoshop. Do any edits to the raster alpha, then just animate simpler shapes underneath it in After Effects.

I’m afraid, in Illustrator, very often the solution to the problem is just drawing it. 🙂

Vince

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