[Vincent Rosati]

Try this file…

8984_mask.ai.zip

I just redrew the shape based on your image.
It was 3 objects:
The main structure, then the 2 negative shapes on the sides.
Then I selected the 2 negative shapes and made a compound path.
Then I did Object > Arrange > Send to back.
Then I added a fill color to the main structure.
Then I selected all objects and Pathfinder > Subtract back.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

The clipping mask needs to be one object.
Duplicate your vector, then try Pathfinder > Unite, then Expand.
Then put the expanded object back in place use it as the clipping mask.

An easy way to practice the clipping mask function is to try it with a basic object, like a rectangle or ellipse, so you get used to how it works.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Hopefully you’ll get a better answer, but I’ve worked in 2 agency environments that were similar to what you describe. In both cases, the practice was to pull the project folder to your desktop, then push back when done.
The issue was that often project managers or other personnel would randomly open the file and do who knows what with them.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Could you draw a path on top of the rope, then set the weight to achieve the desired thickness.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Could you create a rectangle or horizontal path, then put it into the desired horizontal position. Then position the horizontal guide.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

You probably need to create an alpha channel mask in Photoshop.

The basic process to mask this type of texture is:

1 – Copy your flattened non-transparent image into a new project file or just duplicate the layer, so you can create a monochrome version of your image.
2 – Select the duplicated layer and Image/Adjust/Channel Mixer/Monochrome.
3 – Then, Image/Adjust/Invert.
4 – Select All and Copy the inverted layer.
5 – Open the Channels palette and click the Create New Channel button. Make sure this new alpha layer is selected, and paste your image into it.
6 – Deselect the alpha layer, then Cmd+Click on the alpha layer or click the Load Channel as Selection button to make an alpha selection.
7 – Now, go back to your original solid layer, highlight it in the Layers palette and click the Add Layer Mask button.

However, this texture is very light, so you’d have to do a bunch of image adjustments (somewhere from steps 3 to 5) to achieve appropriate contrast in the monochrome image.
It’s not easy to make a mask of this sort.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Cool.

For this, it looks like maybe Helvetica text with hand drawn art on top.
The highlights and shadows look very much airbrushed.

You can probably handle the shadows with drop shadow, in AI.

The hardest part might be the highlights.

Yes, you could do this all in AI, but do you need to?

I’d do the type and structure (the line art, including the drips, and maybe also the stripes) in AI.

The example below uses; a font, hand drawn drips, offset structures to create the highlights (using Pathfinder > Divide), Inner Glow filter, Drop Shadow filter, and gradients.

To inspect the effects, go into the Appearance palette (with an object selected) and double-click the FX icon.

Note: This is just a quick’n’nasty. You could obviously spend more time on it.

Project file:
8857_driptypetext.zip

Example:

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

How did the neuron turn out?
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/245/863721

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

I suspect the file is just plain corrupted 🙁

Try opening with Acrobat, and experiment.
Try running it through Distiller.
Try opening with Photoshop.

Here’s Adobe’s troubleshooting info for this issue: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/troubleshoot-damaged-illustrator-files.html

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Welcome Matt.
Do you know how to either draw or use Illustrator?

I’d prefer to draw something like this in Illustrator. It does appear to have some painterly qualities, but I think you could get super close in AI. Then in the end, you could use the vector as your subject in Photoshop for finishing touches.
You could do everything in Illustrator, but then you’re getting into more advanced tricks and additional layering.
It’s just really nice to have vectors, when possible.

Looks like you could use 4 or 5 colors.

Vince

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