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Jwan Khalaf
1,977 PointsHow to achieve smooth connected dots
Hello
I am in the process of learning how to work Adobe Illustrator CC. I want to be able to design something like this logo.
Can someone please tell me how I can get started? I can deduce that the artist has drawn two circles next to each other, but I don't know how he has then connected the circles so smoothly!
Any tutorials on this anywhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You.
2 Answers
Jwan Khalaf
1,977 PointsThanks Aurelien. I found an easier way :)
Aurelien Schlumberger
6,127 PointsThis is what I would do 1) Draw your overall shape as an icon. 2) Draw squares outlines (Holding the SHIFT key to make sure they are squares), in a Grid form. This Grid will dictate the spacing of your dots, so measure wisely. Don't worry if the grid overlaps your icon. You will delete the grid later on. Rotate the grid in the angle you want, lets say 45 degrees. 3) Draw a blue circle (holding the SHIFT key) and place it at a corner of one square, then copy and paste so that every corners has a blue dot 4) Delete the circles that you don't want to make your logo less redundant and more unique
The tough part, connecting the dots.
5) Create a new layer with a new vector object. Using the Pen tool create one end at the top of one circle, and another end point at the top of the nearest other circle to make a straight line. With the > tool (can't remember the name, a subtool of the Pen Tool), create vector curve branches on one of the two points and drag the branch up or down to make a nice curve line. Copy that line, and paste in place (CMD+F) that line. Now you should have 2 lines. Select one and use the transform tool to mirror/ revert the line. Then move this new line to place it at the other ends of the 2 circles. Finally using the Pen Tool connect both lines so it makes a single shape.
6) Now that you have your connector shape, go ahead and copy and paste and place them between the dots you want. You can rotate using (CMD + T) the SHIFT key to rotate at 45 degree angles so you can have a variety of directions. 7) Once you finished connecting your dots, hide the Grid layer. Hide your overall shape icon.
I use a Mac, but you can replace CMD with CTRL if you are on Windows.
Hard to explain this without visual aids, but I hope it helps.