Distort Vectors

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JGolden
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Distort Vectors

Post by JGolden »

I'm trying to distort a vector but the tools that are available don't have the options I need.

In the picture I want the wedge (lower object) to get distorted like the line from the texture tool (upper object).

1. The Distort Object: Bounding Box: Edit Envelope tool only lets me manually add and move points on the bounding box edge.
2. The Create Vector Texture tool just fills the object.
Untitled.png

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dealguy11
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by dealguy11 »

Not sure what you're trying to achieve. Are you wanting the lines in the wedge shape to be shaky like the line at top?
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JGolden
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by JGolden »

I want the shaky line style (Blue line) applied to the wedge shape (Blue box).
Not a texture fill.

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SteveNelson46
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by SteveNelson46 »

Maybe I'm missing the point here but have you tried using node edit?
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FixitMike
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by FixitMike »

Do it this way:
1. Offset the wedge shape to get two vectors that define the inner and outer limits of where you want the wiggly line.
2 Node Edit to cut both limit vectors so they are no longer closed. The cut locations should be at the same place on both vectors. The location determines where the wiggly line will start and end.
3. Use the Distort Object tool, Between Two Curves. Select the wiggly line, and then the 2 wedge vectors with the shift key held down. Click on Apply.
Distorted.JPG
Offset to both sides of the original if you want the outline to approximate the original. The beginning and end of the wiggly line should have the same Y position if you want the ends to be near each other (Node edit to connect them after distorting if necessary.) The lower side of the wiggly line will be placed toward the first defining line selected. In my example, I selected the outermost defining line first and then the inner one.
Last edited by FixitMike on Wed Sep 19, 2018 12:37 am, edited 2 times in total.
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adze_cnc
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by adze_cnc »

OK Mike, interesting. But how does one join the two ends of the resulting wiggly shape to make a closed entity?

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FixitMike
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by FixitMike »

Use the Join Open Vectors tool. (Bottom line of Edit Objects tool group.) Or use Close Vector in Node Edit tool.
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highpockets
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by highpockets »

Here's Mike's method in practice. Well done Mike :!:
Image 224.png
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JGolden
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by JGolden »

Perfect! A little cleanup to close the ends and you guys have saved me hours of work. Thanks!
Untitled.png

LittleGreyMan
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by LittleGreyMan »

Nice trick, Mike.
Best regards

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adze_cnc
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by adze_cnc »

FixitMike wrote:Use the Join Open Vectors tool. (Bottom line of Edit Objects tool group.) Or use Close Vector in Node Edit tool.
That must work only if the start and end points of your original squiggly-line are co-linear.

The attached resists all attempts at closing the distorted vector that I've tried. You can't really even use node edit to move the two end points together easily as they don't "snap" upon alignment.

Steven
distort_vectors_test_v1.crv
(33.5 KiB) Downloaded 95 times

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dealguy11
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by dealguy11 »

Bake the distortion first. Click on the shape, go back into the distort tool, and click the Bake Distortion button.
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FixitMike
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Re: Distort Vectors

Post by FixitMike »

dealguy11 wrote:Bake the distortion first. Click on the shape, go back into the distort tool, and click the Bake Distortion button.
You can also select the vector, right click on it, and Convert to Curves and then the tools will work on it. That's what I did (and forgot to mention the step).
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