Transform, Style, Blend

Tutorial: Transform, Style, Blend

Start with a simple shape. Go to Effect>Distort & Transform>Transform… Check the preview box and start playing. Here I’ve used an ellipse, made 12 copies, and adjusted the vertical scale and rotation. I’ve also changed the orientation point, as represented by the little proxy on the right. Click OK when you get something you like.

Now drag your shape into the Graphic Styles palette. 

See what happens when you apply this style to other objects. Just draw a shape and click on the new style.

 

Now let’s have some fun with Blends. Expand the styled object (Object>Expand Appearance) and ungroup the resulting shapes. Double-click the Blend tool and enter a number in the “Specified Steps” field.

 

Now with all the shapes selected, press Cmd-Opt-B to make the blend. Cool. 

 

See that open polygon shape in the middle? That’s the “spine” of the blend. You can draw another path and go to Object>Blend>Replace Spine to have the blend follow the new path.

 

For a gradient look, use the Direct Selection tool, select each oval and change its color :

 

If you want to get really trippy, select the blend, and apply your original style to it, making more repetitions and roations.