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Drew Butcher
33,160 Points"x" under the brush
When I am using illustrator there is an x under my brush icon. What does this mean? For example when Mat Helme is demonstrating the bristle brush there is a brush stroke under his brush but I have an 'x' under mine. In addition, I have noticed that the bristle brush paints either on top of or below the path line. How can I make it paint on the path?
Many thanks, Drew Butcher
6 Answers
Mat Helme
Treehouse Guest TeacherHey Drew Butcher and Suleiman Leadbitter the X underneath the brush icon indicates your using a mouse. The actual brush(outline) underneath the brush icon indicates your using a drawing tablet like a Wacom tablet. Does that make sense?
-Mat
Suleiman Leadbitter
15,805 PointsDrew Butcher Hey feller, any chance of a quick screen shot of the area?
Drew Butcher
33,160 PointsI tried but the screen shot using grab will not include the curser. Now the 'x' underneath the brush curser has turned into a '*'
Drew Butcher
33,160 Pointsat min 15:12 in Mat Helme's video http://teamtreehouse.com/library/websites/illustrator-foundations/project-how-to-draw-in-illustrator/transparency-and-blending-modes there is also an 'x' under the brush but at min 6:08 in the video http://teamtreehouse.com/library/websites/illustrator-foundations/how-to-draw-in-illustrator/creating-custom-brushes-part-2 the image under the brush icon looks like a brush stroke.
Suleiman Leadbitter
15,805 PointsOK looking at those videos it looks as though the bold black of the illustration is not editable in the brush stroke. The editing is happening 'behind' the actual illustration just in the colour. So guess it seems as though the layers selected are to be editing with the brush are ok but when the brush hovers of the black outline it changes to a 'x' to show it can not be edited. If that makes sense :/
Drew Butcher
33,160 PointsNot really :( because at min 14:20 in video http://teamtreehouse.com/library/websites/illustrator-foundations/project-how-to-draw-in-illustrator/transparency-and-blending-modes there is an x under the brush and Mat Helme is over top orange not black.
Suleiman Leadbitter
15,805 PointsNo problem Drew Butcher The best way I can explain is:
- Layer 1 (Bold illustration)
- Layer 2 (Colour highlights)
- Layer 3 (Background)
Now if the layers with the colour highlights is selected when you are editing with the brush then only those will get edited. Imagine the layers as transparent sheets like in animation. So if the second layer is selected the the first (above the second) and the third (below) will not change. Now as the first one is above then you will be editing underneath that one so when you hover over a section that has content on the first layer, even though you can see it it cannot be edited as it is like a separate transparent sheet.
I hope this helps. :)
Drew Butcher
33,160 PointsI understand what you are saying; however, i don't agree that this is what the "x" represents as when one watches the video http://teamtreehouse.com/library/websites/illustrator-foundations/project-how-to-draw-in-illustrator/transparency-and-blending-modes Mat Helme moves the pointer several times over different colors (not just the bold illustration layer) and the x stays present. The only time it seems to disappear is when he is actually drawing. My question is: What does the "x", "*" and "brush stroke" represent?
Suleiman Leadbitter
15,805 PointsSorry dude :(
Pretty sure Mat Helme will help you out when he sees this. If not some other Illustrator genius will :)
Drew Butcher
33,160 PointsThank you. You did help.
Suleiman Leadbitter
15,805 PointsWow it was that simple :/ Thanks Mat Helme
Drew Butcher
33,160 PointsDrew Butcher
33,160 PointsYes, thank you. So does the star "*" mean that you are using a mouse pad?
Mat Helme
Treehouse Guest TeacherMat Helme
Treehouse Guest TeacherYes, Mouse = *