Using the Symbol Sprayer tool


    Use the Symbol Sprayer tool to create a set of symbol instances or add more instances to an existing set.

To create a symbol instance set:

  1. Select a symbol in the Symbols palette, and then select the Symbol Sprayer tool Symbol Sprayer tool .
  2. Click or drag where you want the symbol instances to appear.

To add symbol instances to an existing set:

    Select the Symbol Sprayer tool Symbol Sprayer tool , a symbol in the Symbols palette, and an existing symbol set. Then click or drag where you want the new instances to appear.

To delete symbol instances from a set:

  1. Select the set from which you want to delete instances.
  2. Select the Symbol Sprayer tool, and hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you click or drag where you want to remove instances.

To expand a symbol set into individual symbol instances:

    Select the set, and choose Object > Expand. (See Expanding objects.)

To set options for the Symbol Sprayer tool:

  1. Open the Symbolism Tools Options dialog box, and set the general options as desired. (See Setting options for symbolism tools.)
  2. Click the symbol sprayer icon in the dialog box.
  3. Choose options for Scrunch, Size, Spin, Screen, Stain, and Style, and then click OK:
    • Average to add a new symbol with the average value of existing symbol instances within the brush radius. For example, an instance added to an area where the average existing symbol instance is 50% transparent will be 50% transparent; an instance added to an area with no instances will be opaque.

    Note: The Average setting only takes into account other instances within the Symbol Sprayer tool's brush radius, which you set using the Diameter option. To see the radius as you work, select Show Brush Size and Intensity.

    • User Defined to apply specific preset values for each parameter: Scrunch (density) is based on the original symbol size; Size uses the original symbol size; Spin uses the mouse direction (or no orientation if the mouse doesn't move); Screen uses 100% opacity; Stain uses the current fill color and full tint amount; Style uses the current style.