“Just WOW!”
“It’s gold!”
“It’s a winner!”
ColliderScribe is out and ready to buy at just £10 +VAT (approx. $15/€11).
ColliderScribe is a simple toolset for Adobe Illustrator that enables you to position shapes accurately, placing any object precisely next to another when it touches.
Direct YouTube HD movie link: http://youtu.be/lZRGIDBEnWs
Download it now and try free for 14 days!
The IT Enquirer website has an established record of being the first independent publication to truly review our latest products. And last week, they maintained this record by writing about both new Illustrator plugins; WidthScribe and ColliderScribe.
“In the hands of a skilled Illustrator artist, the WidthScribe plug-in is gold and can save a lot of time, as well as bring back the fun in drawing.”
“ColliderScribe is a godsend, especially if you’re drawing complex shapes within shapes.”
To read the full review, please click here…
Updated 18 April 2013 to include WidthScribe update.
In between the major new product releases, Astute Graphics continually develops its existing products — both long-established and recently released.
The following releases bring additional functionality (ColliderScribe), tweaks and important improved stability (VectorScribe, Phantasm CS and WidthScribe). And they are all FREE to download today!
To download these versions, simply visit the product download page…
ColliderScribe is a simple toolset for Adobe Illustrator that enables you to position shapes accurately, placing any object precisely next to another when it touches. I hope you have already experienced it (if not, download a 14 day free trial now!). Today’s guide is devoted to speeding up your workflow with ColliderScribe by using keyboard the shortcuts available. This information, along with the ColliderScribe’s instructional product movies, will help you get the most from this unique toolset!
Lee Daniels is an illustration & animation artist. His work has been officially selected for the Burbank International Film Festival and the Northwest Animation Festival in the past couple of years. Lee lives in London as a freelancer and recently spoke with one of our guest blog authors, Sharon Steuer, about his passion…
At an early age I was confident of the artistic path I needed to take. However, at the Grammar School I attended, drawing cartoons instead of still-life paintings during art class was viewed more as ‘messing about’, which I always found a little odd and out of touch. In retrospect, I’m pleased they had this attitude as it made me work harder to work towards my goal outside of the education system.
Rover – watch on YouTube
After feeling disillusioned with the attitude towards cartooning at school, I opted for a job in graphic design as apposed to the University route. Having daily access to Photoshop and Illustrator and several other major design packages, I focussed my attention on learning as much as I could both on the job and in my free time. This was also the springboard to my freelance illustrating life as I began contributing monthly cartoons to the various magazines we produced.
I’ve worked with many different software solutions over the years, but these days I work pretty much entirely within the Adobe Creative Suite. My knowledge of software tools and all aspects of animation production are completely self-taught, so I aim to use each personal animation as a challenge to learn something new. Initially I created 1 minute to 1:30 minute shorts that took me a couple of weeks, and each time I included a new element that I would have to learn on the fly to complete it. These days I tend to produce longer shorts with more detailed environments and characters such as “Clearance” and my new web series “Jungle Brawl”.
Jungle Brawl – watch on YouTube
Jungle Brawl characters
I realised I had to develop beyond simply mastering the drafting skills of an animator and that I needed to also learn the crafts of storytelling, timing, directing, editing, and producing so that is the main focus of my personal work today.
Adobe Illustrator is a major tool in my solo production line, which generally takes me through: Photoshop (Sketch/Design) » Illustrator (Line-art / Colour) » After Effects (Animation) » Premiere (Editing). Most of my animated characters are finally realised in Illustrator which enables me to quickly and consistently create the sharp edges and broad strokes that have come to define my particular style.
Having recently being made aware of Astute Graphics products, I have been using the extensive range of plug-ins to help realise and streamline some of the more complex artworks in my latest project. I’m currently in production on a sequel to “Clearance”, my animated Spy short. After gaining some great YouTube viewing figures and subsequently licensing “Clearance” for a music video, I decided to produce a spin-off episode and capitalise on some of the exposure the original has given me.
As with the original short, “Clearance – Break” will feature elaborate backgrounds, characters, and advanced technology and interfaces, all requiring some fairly detailed geometry. So VectorScribe and ColliderScribe in particular have helped me speed up the process and I intend to integrate them into my future work to streamline my one-man-show productions.
Clearance – watch on YouTube
As Astute Graphics have recently asked me to produce the animated intro for the new website launch, it also gives me a great opportunity to get to grips with DynamicSketch as the cartoon will comprise several caricatures of their business team. Learning intuitive software solutions during real-world projects is always my preferred method, so creating an animated piece for Astute, utilising their own software in the process, seems very appropriate!
Artwork copyright Lee Daniels, 2013
www.LeeDanielsART.com
Lee Daniels YouTube channel
Following the initial interview with Sharon Steuer for the AG blog, Astute Graphics commissioned Lee Daniels to animate a series of audio quotes by some great vector designers. We love the result and think you will too!
Lee also produced these great drawings of the Astute Graphics customer team…
The post Case Study – Lee Daniels appeared first on Astute Graphics.
The following example artwork was produced using ColliderScribe by Astute Graphics
Gothic Window by Iaroslav Lazunov, featured on the Astute Graphics blog
The post ColliderScribe Example Images appeared first on Astute Graphics.
October is about to be an exciting month for vector designers, but we first wanted to get some more sedate yet very welcome updates to all Astute Graphics plugin customers.
Each of our 10 plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator have been updated. All feature an improved activation window following feedback and discussions on how we may improve our products, along with some very useful new videos covering the installation, licensing and activation process:
Several of the updates also feature important stability enhancements, whilst our very popular MirrorMe toolset has also gained additional functionality!
All updates are free to customers of plug-ins which are already licensed up to and including Illustrator CS6 and CC(17).
If you have yet to activate your license key, we do recommend these upgrades.
If you are already an activate customer, you should only consider upgrading the products featuring stability enhancements.
If you are looking for plug-ins compatible with Mac OS Mavericks, please refer to this earlier post…
Simply download the latest version(s) from the Free Trial page.
Next, quit Illustrator and run the installer.
Restart Illustrator.
The post All products updated with improved activation window, plus stability enhancements appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Following Apple’s release of Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks earlier this week, Astute Graphics has updated all Mac OS versions of its plug-ins to be compatible with the new operating system.
Simply visit out Free Trial download page and download the Mac OS X version.
If you are trialling VectorScribe2 public BETA, please download the Mavericks-compatible Beta6 from this news page.
Apple introduced new levels of security for dictating which software should be allowed to install from Mac OS 10.7. In the latest OS update, Apple appears to have changed the rules subtly which may lead to some confusion over the ability to run the installer.
Firstly, quit Adobe Illustrator. Next we recommend you check your System Preferences > Security settings.
If they are set to Allow apps downloaded from: Anywhere (as shown below), you should not have any issues running the installer.
If they are set to Allow apps downloaded from: Mac App Store and identified developers, run the installer by right-clicking (or Ctrl-clicking) on the installer icon and opting for Open as shown below. Very strangely, in Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks, you can not run the official Apple security-signed installers by simply double-clicking on them in this security setting!
Finally, if you have it set to Allow apps downloaded from: Mac App Store, you will not be able to install our plug-ins until this security setting is changed to one of the others.
These are free upgrades for users of our plug-ins already licensed up to Illustrator CS6 or CC(17). Please use our automated license key reminder if you are unsure of your product license level.
Please note that deprecated plug-ins will not be Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks compatible.
DrawScribe customers will have received free license keys for the InkScribe + DynamicSketch plug-ins. Click here for previous news of this change.
Phantasm CS (including Designer, Studio and Publisher variant) customers can upgrade to Phantasm v3, Rasterino and/or InkQuest. More information about this may be found here (up to CS5 licenses) and here (up to CS6 licenses)
VectorScribe Designer customers can upgrade to VectorScribe2-eligable licenses today. Please use the automated license key reminder resultant upgrade links for options.
No 
But you may wish to ensure you have upgraded to all latest Windows versions very recently published…
The post All Astute Graphics plug-ins are now Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks compatible! appeared first on Astute Graphics.
In this tutorial we will learn how to make accurate vector constructions using Arc start-end direction Tool (SubScribe plug-in), Dynamic Corners Tool (VectorScribe plug-in), Dynamic Shapes Tool (VectorScribe plug-in), Line tangent to two paths Tool (SubScribe plug-in), PathScribe Tool (VectorScribe plug-in), Snap to Collisions Tool and Rotate At Collision Tool (ColliderScribe plug-in). Such an arsenal of wonderful tools provides us with complete control and comfort while creating Clothing Zipper. Have fun learning our new Adobe illustrator tutorial!
Now proceed to the creation of the slider body. Create a path, which consists of two straight-line segments as it is shown below.
Create a vertical guide that defines the position of the center of the slider body.
Select the path, then take the Reflect Tool (O) and click on the guide while holding the Opt / Alt key. Select the Vertical Axis in the dialog box, then click on the Copy button.
Take Arc start-end direction Tool (SubScribe plug-in) and create an arc between the upper points of the paths.
Connect the lower points of the paths using the Pen Tool (P).
Select all the created objects, take the Shape Builder Tool and click inside the slider body shape.
This action leads to the connection of the paths at the points A and B.
Round off the corners of the resulting shape with the help of the Dynamic Corners Tool (VectorScribe plug-in). To control the rounding radii open the tool panel .
Using the Dynamic Shapes Tool (VectorScribe plug-in), create a Dynamic Donut. To open the . Center of the object should be located on the vertical axis of the slider body.
Now create another Dynamic Donut with new parameters.
As you can see, compound paths can be easily created using the Dynamic Shapes Tool. In addition, you can control the parameters of any dynamic shape after its creation.
Duplicate both of the compound paths, then temporarily turn off their visibility in the Layers panel.
Take the Line tangent to two paths Tool (SubScribe plug-in) and create two tangent lines to the compound paths.
Select the compound paths and tangents that take the Shape Builder Tool, then we click between these objects.
Now click on Unite in the Pathfinder panel.
Turn on the visibility of the Dynamic Donuts.
Create Dynamic Rectangle using the Dynamic Shapes Tool and set the radius of rounding of its corners in the Dynamic Shapes panel.
Thus, we have created all the shapes of the Pull Tab.
Now proceed to the creation of the zipper teeth. Draw a sloping straight line segment, as it is shown in the following picture.
, which will lead to the creation of a new point in the middle of the segment.
Further manipulations will be done using the PathScribe Tool (VectorScribe plug-in). Open the panel of this tool .
Convert all the points into smooth ones by pressing the Smooth point in the PathScribe panel.
Rotate the handles of the extreme points, holding down Shift, so they took a vertical position and were located in the direction towards each other.
Now rotate the handles of the center point counterclockwise.
In order zipper teeth were connected without gaps and overlapping the left and right side of the s-shaped path must have the same curvature. We can easily solve this problem with the help of the PathScribe panel. Set the same length of handles at points A and C.
Handles at the point B should also have the same length.
Select the entire path, take the Reflect Tool (O), holding Opt / Alt, click at point A. Select the Horizontal Axis, and then click Copy in the dialog box.
Select the point A with the help of the Direct Selection Tool (A), then go to .
Continue the path with help of the Pen Tool (P) in order to obtain the shape shown in the picture below.
Select the shape of the tooth, then go to … and set the offset value.
Shift the points A and B of the upper shape to the right until it connects with the edge of the lower shape.
Copy the upper shape and paste it in front . Recolor the new object.
Duplicate the last shape again, then move the new object a few pixels down.
Select both shapes of light gray color, then click on the Minus Front in the Pathfinder panel.
Thus we got a highlight on the tooth.
Group up all the elements of the tooth.
Create a mirror copy of the tooth with the help of the Reflect Tool (O). This tool allows us to accurately collide objects as if they had a physical shape. Collision markers tell us about such collision.
Now connect the teeth with the help of the Snap to Collisions Tool (ColliderScribe plug-in).
We also see that due to manipulations in step 10, the teeth connect with no gaps or overlappings.
Group up the teeth. Now move the new group straight down with Snap to Collisions Tool, hold down Shift + Opt / Alt that will lead to its duplication. You must move the group until it connects with Pre – Drag Position of the group.
Here I would like to note that this option should be included into the Snap to Collisions Preferences dialog box that opens by pressing the Return / Enter key. Repeat the actions of this step a few times. Now we have a zipped up part of a zipper.
Proceed to the creation an unzipped part of the zipper. Create a curved path with the help of the Pen Tool (P).
Let’s create a Scatter brush, which will create zippers from a single tooth. The parameters of this brush are shown in the picture below.
Apply the brush to the curvilinear segment.
Unfortunately, the distribution of objects along a curve using the Scatter brush is not ideal. Some of the teeth of the zipper are not located at the right position, and you will not be able to fix this defect by playing with the parameters of the brush.
Now let’s distribute the teeth using the Rotate At Collision Tool (ColliderScribe plug-in), which allows you to slide with the selected objects on the surface of another object, without losing a touch. Hold the Opt / Alt key while moving to duplicate.
Now we have an ideal distribution.
Group up all the teeth on the arc, create a mirror copy of the group by using the Reflect Tool (O) the same way as we have already done it multiple times in this tutorial.
The main vector objects are created. We will color them in the next part of this tutorial, that means we will give a final look to our artwork.
The post How to Create Clothing Zipper in Adobe Illustrator – Part 1 appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Adobe has recently brought out the latest version of Creative Cloud with some helpful improvements. Toolbox panel customization is perfect for making your favourite Astute Graphics tools readily available for your unique, creative workflow. You can read here just how to harness the advantages.
Learn how CC(17.1)’s Live Corners can benefit from and work alongside VectorScribe’s Dynamic Corners by clicking here.
If you have not upgraded to the Adobe Creative Cloud, remember that Astute Graphics’ amazing tools are available for Illustrator CS4, CS5 and CS6 too!
To capture the full potential Illustrator can offer, download our new plug-in installers today. Existing users can upgrade benefitting from improved installers, stability and software now designed for CS4 to CC(17.1). If you’ve only just discovered the creative potential of Astute Graphics’ tools, the FREE downloads offer a 14 day full trial!
An important update is that both the Mac OS and Windows installers have both been modified to correctly detect and install plugins for CS4 to CC(17.1). This means that we now build separate plugin versions for CC(17.0) and CC(17.1). The latter version has Windows HiDPI capability (a la Retina on Macs) and other internal changes which we have now catered for allowing us to update to future versions of Illustrator CC more easily.
To download these versions, simply visit the download page…
Note: the installers now feature a separate Illustrator CC(17.0) and CC(17.1) target entry. The installed plugins are different builds. If you have already upgraded to CC(17.1), the installer should correctly detect this.
The post All plug-ins updated and getting the most from Illustrator CC(17.1) appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Designing a Gothic window with complex shapes can be time consuming, but in this tutorial ColliderScribe will show you how to save time and be even more accurate.
Before we start on our Gothic window, let’s take a quick look at the tools in ColliderScribe so we know what we can do with it.
After installing the plug-in, you can find ColliderScribe’s tools in the Selection Tool (V) group on the Tools panel. These are “ and “.
To demonstrate how the tool works, create two arbitrary objects. Take the “Snap to Collisions Tool” and click anywhere in the blue ellipse then drag it to the green rectangle. When the objects touch there will be a snapping, as if real physical bodies have collided. The collision marker will appear at the tangent point.
You can move objects one around another whilst they are still touching as long as this is within the “Snap tolerance value”.
The “snap tolerance” value is set in the Snap to Collisions Tool Preferences dialog window. To open it, click on the Return / Enter key or double-click the icon of the Tools panel.
Snapping can be done to the Pre-Drag path position if this option is selected in the dialog box.
Several objects can collide together and you will always get a perfect result.
If you choose the “Collision Spacing” option you will create a gap between the objects. You can choose the distance of this offset.
The “Rotate at Collisions Tool” allows you not only to collide shapes, but also to turn the selected object around the path of another object. When applying the Rotate at Collisions Tool you must capture the object at the edge of the path.
As a snapping point of the selected object, you can also use the Midpoint of the path.
Now let’s proceed to constructing the Gothic window.
With the help of the Pen Tool (P) or the InkScribe Plug-in we can create a path as shown in the following image.
Take the Reflect Tool (O), holding Opt/ Alt key, click at the point A. Choose the Vertical option in the open dialog box and click on the Copy button.
With the help of the Direct Selection Tool (V) select the upper points of the paths, then go to to connect them.
Now create three concentric circles with the help of the Ellipse Tool (L).
Take the Snap to Collisions Tool and move the smaller circle down by holding the Shift key. As soon as it collides with the path of the second circle, the snapping will turn on and the collision marker will appear.
If we look at the circles in the Outline view mode (), we can see an ideal touch.
Select a small circle, then take the Rotate Tool (R), holding Opt/ Alt, click in the center of the large circles. In the open dialog box, enter an angle of 360/5, then click on Copy.
Use Cmd / Ctrl + D shortcuts three times for successive repetition of the last action.
Select all the created circles with the Snap to Collisions Tool and move them up until they collide with the arch of the window.
As you can see, it is very simple.
Using the technique described in step 2 and 3, create another unit consisting of five circles.
Now using the Snap to Collisions Tool, move the circles until they collide with the left arch and the first unit of circles.
Move the group of five circles to the right side of the window using the Snap to Collisions Tool, hold down Opt/ Alt key, which will lead to duplication. Move the group until it collides with the right arch and the upper unit of the circles.
Create another element of a Gothic window, using the technique described in step 1.
With the help of the Snap to Collisions Tool place this element so that it touches the previously created objects as shown in the image below.
Duplicate it and place a copy on the right side of the window.
We just need to create the central element of the window which should fit into the entire structure without any spaces or overlaps. Let’s make our goal more specific. We need to create an arc that passes through the lowest point of the circle A and touch the circle B.
From an artistic point of view it would be better if the tangent points of adjacent objects formed an equilateral triangle.
Now we have approximately identified the tangent point of the arc with a green circle.
With the help of the Line tangent from path (free SubScribe plug-in) create a tangent line from point A.
Now, create an arc that passes through the points A and B. At the same time the handles of point A must match exactly with the direction of the tangent line.
Take the Snap to Collisions Tool and check that the collision marker has appeared. As you can see, everything has worked fine.
Continue the path with the help of InkScribe or the Pen Tool (P) as shown below. The straight-line segment of this path must match with the straight-line segment of the adjacent object.
Create a mirror copy of this path with the help of the Reflect Tool (O), just as we did in the first step.
As you can see, we have all the elements of the Gothic window touching precisely and accurately.
Based on this design I have created a full-color illustration of a Gothic window.
I think this example alone shows how indispensable the ColliderScribe plug-in is when creating complex and intricate designs.
The post How to Create a Gothic Window Using ColliderScribe and Adobe Illustrator appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Astute Graphics are constantly aiming to provide you, our wonderful supporters, with the latest and greatest. With that in mind it is a pleasure to announce that we have released all new versions of our current plug-ins. The latest releases include various bug fixes and further improvements for Retina and HiDPI displays. Not only this; VectorScribe presents two great new tools! These updates are FREE to all existing customers owning licenses for the current versions. To make the transition all you need to do is download the latest versions and install.
VectorScribe version 2.3 gives you even more control over points with the ability to highlight and/or automatically remove redundant points while also being able to add points at set distances to selected segments. To understand the potential of the new features please join us for FREE in our Pop-up Webinar today (24 April) at 5pm (Mainland Europe), 4pm (UK), 11am EST, 8am PDT. Not only will the new tools be demonstrated but you have the chance to interact live with the team at Astute Graphics, who will be there to answer all your questions.
Click here to register for the webinar now!
Download and install the latest versions by clicking here
The post Updates to all plug-ins appeared first on Astute Graphics.
The next webinar will be Thursday, 12 June at 5pm (Mainland Europe), 4pm (UK), 11am EST, 8am PDT
Topic: Easy Flow Charts and Infographics with ColliderScribe
Note: this week we are back to a limit of 100 attendees – last week there were 550! It’s on a first-come-first-served basis, so register now – it’s FREE:
Click here to register…
Join us for a quick 5-10min peek at how our compact but highly effective ColliderScribe plug-in can take the strain when creating diagrams. Make the production of charts, inforgraphics and much more a breeze by automatically placing objects in manner similar to handling physical objects. The ColliderScribe plug-in is available to download today by clicking here…
After the demo we will be having a short Q&A with the presenter Sebastian Bleak and Astute Graphics founder Nicholas van der Walle so get all those burning questions at the ready!
The nature of AG’s Pop-up Webinars is that they are impromptu, short and allow users of our amazing software to connect directly with the people behind it. Not only do you get to learn a great method, tip and trick but we also open up the questions to attendees. Ask us anything about our plug-ins or provide feedback and suggestions. It gets better with participation!
Be among the first to be informed of when this special webinar and future Pop-up Webinars will take place.
You can also keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for the time and date closer to the day!
The post Pop-up Webinar announcement – 12 June 2014 appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Astute Graphics’ tenth Pop-up Webinar is now available on our YouTube channel. On June 12 our in-house Trainer and Graphic Scientist, Sebastian Bleak, showed how ColliderScribe can be used when creating diagrams. Learn how to make the production of charts, infographics and much more a breeze by automatically placing objects in a manner similar to handling physical objects. This webinar also briefly makes use of our VectorScribe plug-in which is available separately or as part of a bundle.
To learn more about ColliderScribe and VectorScribe, as well as the other possibilities our Illustrator plug-ins brings, click here
Click here to experiment with the plug-ins through our FREE fully functional 14-day trial!
Be among the first to witness a review of the major Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud update due for release later today. Sebastian Bleak will once again be presenting a one-off Pop-up Webinar. Not only will you be in the unique position to asses the new features, you will also have the chance to have your questions answered by Sebastian and founder Nicholas van der Walle.
The webinar is limited to 100 places so don’t risk missing your first opportunity to see this live review, Register now by clicking here.
Be among the first to be informed of when future Pop-up Webinars will take place.
You can also keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for when the next webinar is due to pop-up!
The post Pop-up Webinar Recording – June 15 2014 – Flow Charts and Infographics with ColliderScribe appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Yesterday (18 June) Adobe announced, and made available, a major release to its Creative Cloud. Adobe Illustrator’s latest version is now called CC 2014.
Not long after the release our very own Sebastian Bleak held a special Pop-Up Webinar reviewing what’s new. If you didn’t catch it we have made the recording available here.
Astute Graphics will be issuing upgrades to CC 2014 compatibility in a few days. This is dependant on final tests based on the release version of Illustrator. These upgrades will be FREE to customers owning licenses to current versions of our products (e.g. VectorScribe v2 and Phantasm v3).
It is excellent however that Adobe have decided to allow CC 2014 to be installed parallel to previous CS and CC(17) versions. This means that if you find your workflow is suffering, from the temporary lack of Astute Graphics tools, simply revert to using Illustrator CC17 (or any earlier CS installations you may have used which already have a plug-ins present).
Please keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter feeds plus our blog or newsletter for the latest information about availability.
Astute graphics has provided a complete Features list of our plug-ins and Adobe Illustrator CS5 onwards. This look-up list quickly lets you see what Illustrator version is best for you, what Astute Graphics plug-ins compliment it and what you need to achieve the most effective workflow specific to you.
The post Plug-in updates for Ai CC 2014 to be announced appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Astute Graphics’ Twitter competition #AGjune2014 is the first in a monthly competition that allows designers to really show off what they are currently creating while using our plug-ins. The winner of the June competition, John Harman, won an exclusive one-off t-shirt, printed with his winning design. Not only this but this blog article takes a look at John’s design process while using our plug-ins within Illustrator.
John Harman is a Graphic Designer living in Central Virginia in the US, who is primarily self taught. In recent years John has completed and undergraduate course in Video Game Art and Design as well as gaining a Masters in Media Design. He considers himself more of a ‘Creative Generalist’ than anything else, most of the time, which allows him to adapt to what is needed. This helps in Johns day-to-day work as a Marketing Graphic Designer for a test equipment manufacturer.
Image Copyright of John Harman
Around 73 days ago, I started a personal challenge to do something creative each day, even if it’s a simple doodle or work-in-progress. The goal is to go at least 100 days and so far, I have stayed the course and posted each day. This butterfly, along with many of my other designs in the challenge, are stemmed from a tip that Adobe posted and I ran with. The tip was using the ‘~’ key in conjunction with the shapes in Illustrator. I knew about it, but never had actually explored the function other than making simple Spirograph inspired star designs. So far, I have stuck with Birds, Bugs and Aquatic Critters.
When I first laid out the straight lines and realized that you combine that with the warp tools and gradients on a stroke, you could make some interesting designs. I also used stock patterns in the simple backgrounds to give more texture to the overall design and off set the flow of the lines. If I had had the Phantasm plug-in, I am sure those stock textures would have been vector halftones. As it was, I used MirrorMe, VectorScribe and WidthScribe to achieve the final design.
I discovered Astute some years back, when I believe that there was only two plug-ins around, after about 3 days of my trial period of Vectorscribe, I ran back to the site bought it. Over the years, the amazing team there has consistently cranked out great Plug-ins, and even with more competition around, they are a better solution than others. I currently own and regularly use 8 Astute Plug-ins; VectorScribe, Subscribe, ColliderScribe, WidthScribe, DynamicSketch, Stylism, MirrorMe (of course) and most recently AutoSaviour. I’ve been eyeing a couple more in the list and will eventually get most of them.
Click here to see more of John’s incredible artwork from his 100+ days of creativity.
We’d like to say a big thank you to Imprint Revolution, in West Los Angeles, for producing this great t-shirt for John.
Keep an eye on our Twitter feed so you don’t miss your chance to win an exclusive prize in July’s competition!
We also want to mention the runner up winner Nate Watkins who created a wonderfully eye catching piece of artwork (below) inspired by a great Vine video. Take a look at Nate’s other work by clicking here.
Image Copyright of Nate Watkins
Thank you to all that entered, keep creating great work!
The post Featured Artist: John Harman #AGjune2014 Winner! appeared first on Astute Graphics.
It is always wonderful to be able to share with our loyal supporters the benefits of using our plug-ins. It is an even more wonderful when that message is written in the pages of an outstanding magazine such as MacUser. The Summer 2014 edition, out July 31, features an amazing article by Steve Caplin that reviews Astute Graphics ColliderScribe Plug-in. With an astounding 5 out of 5 and “Editor’s Choice” for the tool we seriously recommend you take a look! Below are just a few great quotes from the article:
“In the case of ColliderScribe, manipulating objects isn’t just easier than ever, but it enables you to perform operations that would otherwise present a major headache.”
“There’s no existing technology in Illustrator that comes even close to providing this functionality…”
“… you find an interface so intuitive that you barely need to be told how to use it”
“At this price, we’d recommend it to every Illustrator user.”
Click here to download ColliderScribe today!
The post MacUser Magazine Review appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Bill Dawson is a designer/illustrator/raconteur based in Los Angeles. Yes… that Los Angeles. He isn’t married to a movie star and he’s never been to the Academy Awards, but his typeface Megahertz was poorly used in Kevin Smith’s movie Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. Megahertz was selected as an indicator of our moronic future […]
The post Featured Artist: Bill Dawson #AGjune2015 Twitter Winner appeared first on Astute Graphics.
Today you will learn how to create elements of the vintage ornament using PathScribe, Extend Path and Smart Remove Brush tools all found in the VectorScribe plug-in. These tools will help us to quickly and easily create patterns in the shape of knots and spirals. ColliderScribe will help us to position the elements accurately. To […]
The post How to Create Vintage Ornament Set with VectorScribe in Adobe Illustrator appeared first on Astute Graphics.
In this tutorial you will learn how to fill a shape with crystals when creating rhinestone patterns. It took me less than a minute to evenly distribute 220 diamonds inside a complex shape. ColliderScribe successfully eliminates time-consuming manual work from our workflow. Step 1 First let’s create a rhinestone or diamond crystal, which we will […]
The post How to Create Rhinestone Patterns with Space Fill appeared first on Astute Graphics.
