Color, Strokes, and Fills > Applying strokes > Using brush strokes |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Using brush strokes
You can apply symbols to a stroke or path using the brush stroke feature. You can use the symbols that came with FreeHand, or you can import or create your own. For more information on using symbols, see Using the Library panel.
You can apply a brush stroke in one of two modes. Spray repeats an instance along the path. Paint stretches a specified number of an instance along the path.
Spray and Paint modes for a brush stroke
To apply a brush stroke to a selected object:
1 |
Choose Window > Inspectors > Stroke. |
2 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose Brush. |
3 |
Choose the brush style you want to apply from the brushes list. |
4 |
Enter a percentage value in the Width text box to set the size of the brush. This value can be from 1% to 400%. |
![]() |
To create a brush from a selected object:
1 |
Choose Modify > Brush > Create Brush. |
2 |
Choose an option: |
![]() |
Copy creates a symbol from the selected object, but does not convert the object to a symbol. |
![]() |
Convert creates a symbol from the object and replaces the object with an instance of the symbol. |
3 |
In the Edit Brush dialog box, type a name for this brush in the Brush Name text box.
|
4 |
Use the Include Symbol controls to add other symbols to the brush. The Brush Preview window at the bottom of the Edit Brush dialog box shows what the brush will look like. |
![]() |
Click the Include Symbols plus button to select from a list of available symbols to add to this brush. |
![]() |
Click the Include Symbols minus button to remove a symbol from the brush. |
![]() |
Select a symbol in the list and use the arrow buttons to move it up or down in the stack list. The stack list determines the stacking order of instances as they are applied to the path. |
5 |
Choose Paint or Spray to set the mode for this brush. If you choose Paint, enter a value from 1 to 500 in the Count text box to set the number of instances that will appear on this brush. |
6 |
Select Orient on Path to have this brush rotate to follow the orientation of the path to which it is applied. Deselecting Orient to Path will cause the brush to have the same orientation regardless of the path. |
7 |
Set the Spacing, or the distance between each instance of the brush symbol. |
![]() |
Choose Fixed for a fixed spacing. Enter a value from 1% to 200%, or click the arrow to set the Spacing with the slider control. |
![]() |
Choose Random for a random spacing. Enter the minimum (Min.) and maximum (Max.) values for the variation. |
![]() |
Choose Variable to vary the spacing between each instance of the brush symbol from the Min. to the Max. values. |
8 |
Set the Angle to set the rotation of the instance as it is applied to the path. |
![]() |
Choose Fixed for a fixed rotation. Enter a value from 0° to 359° , or click the arrow to set the angle with the slider control. |
![]() |
Choose Random for a random rotation. Enter the Min. and Max. values for the variation. |
![]() |
Choose Variable to vary the rotation smoothly from the Min. to the Max. values. |
9 |
Set the offset between the brush and the path. |
![]() |
Choose Fixed for a fixed offset. Enter a value from -200% to 200%, or click the arrow to set the offset with the slider control. |
![]() |
Choose Random for a random offset. Enter the Min. and Max. values for the variation. |
![]() |
Choose Variable to vary the offset smoothly from the Min. to the Max. values. |
![]() |
If the brush type is Spray, you can choose Flare to increase/decrease the offset according to the minimum and maximum scaling values. |
10 |
Set the Scaling for the brush. |
![]() |
Choose Fixed for a fixed Scaling. Enter a value from 1% to 200%, or click the arrow to set the size with the slider control. |
![]() |
Choose Random for a random Scaling. Enter the Min. and Max. values for the variation. |
![]() |
Choose Variable to vary the Scaling smoothly from the Min. to the Max. values. |
![]() |
If the brush type is Paint, you can choose Flare to spread/expand the brush according to the minimum and maximum scaling values.
|
11 |
Click OK. |
![]() |
To edit a brush:
1 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose Brush from the stroke list. |
2 |
Choose the brush you want to edit from the brush list. |
3 |
Click the triangle in the upper right corner of the panel to display the Options pop-up menu, and choose Edit. |
4 |
Edit the brush as described in the preceding procedure and click OK. |
5 |
If the brush you edited is in use, a dialog box opens. Choose Change to apply your edits to all paths using that brush. Choose Create to create a new brush. The new brush is automatically named "Copy of [old brush name]." |
Note: You can also edit a brush by editing its symbols using the Library panel (see Editing symbols). |
|
![]() |
To duplicate a brush:
1 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose the brush you want to duplicate from the brush list. |
2 |
Choose Duplicate from the Options pop-up menu. |
3 |
A new brush called "Copy of [original brush]" appears in the brush list. |
![]() |
To delete a brush:
1 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose the brush you want to delete from the brush list. |
2 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose Remove from the Options pop-up menu. |
3 |
In the message box that appears, choose an option: |
![]() |
Choose Release to separate the brush stroke from its path. The stroke is converted to a group of objects, and this group is grouped with the object. |
![]() |
Choose Delete to delete the brush and any paths that use the brush. |
![]() |
To import a brush:
1 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose Import from the Options pop-up menu. |
2 |
In the Import Brushes dialog box, choose the file that contains the brushes you want to import and click Open. |
3 |
In the Import Symbols dialog box, select the brushes you want to import. Shift-click to select multiple brushes. |
4 |
Click Import. |
Note: When you import a brush file, the colors used in that file are added to the current document's color list, and the symbols used as brush tips are imported into the Library. |
|
![]() |
To export a brush:
1 |
In the Stroke inspector, choose Export from the Options pop-up menu. |
2 |
In the Export Brushes dialog box, select the brushes you want to export. Shift-click to select multiple brushes. |
3 |
Click Export. |
4 |
In the Export Brushes dialog box, type a file name and choose the location for the new brush file and click Save. |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |