What is the best way to design a tab shape?

[Mcffee]

So I had to create a tab shape (see below) but found it not so easy, it's made out of 2 combined shapes that are grouped. I wonder is there a better way to create a tab out of one piece, or how does a pro creates this shape perfect?

[gwpriester]

A pro probably would create the shape the way you did. With a little effort. There is no one-click way to do this.

[Mcffee]

Hello! Thanks, so there is no other way then this?

[gwpriester]

I am sure there are many other ways but none that is direct. I would start with a rounded rectangle, convert the rectangle to editable shapes, select the bottom most two control points and delete them, select the top left two control points and use the arrow keys on my keyboard to nudge them to the right a few ticks and do the same on the right top two points. Then use the Shape Tool to straighten the sides.

[mwenz]

Yeah, a more direct means would mean more shapes that one can have the live corners on--for here, a trapezoid that one can round corners on.

I did a mock up once in XDP for a silly manual that used tabs across the top. Each section had its tab foremost. They ended up not using it because to make printed page-edge tabs actually useful, the book's actual edges also need the printing. (Which I have used this type of design for a single company for many years. Adds cost though.)

In digging around, I found the XDP file. Should be self-explanatory. The reason I created the guides is I needed to alter the length of some of the tabs and wanted to ensure I kept the same radius and angle. In the manual series where I have done this and went to print, all the page tabs have straight sides with square corners and run into the bleed.

[gwpriester]

And actually, if I did a tab I would do it like this.

[timhines]

Maybe make a rounded rectangle, apply a perspective to it with mould tool, then chop off the bottom half.

[gwpriester]

Here's a five page website using tabs as navigation. It uses the MouseDown layer for the selected page indicator.

I updated these files.

[Rik]

If you're going to crate the tab using just one shape, this is how I would do it.

Though, you asked how a pro would do it perfect?!
Hopefully you'll accept an amateur's answer.

[theinonen]

Yeah, a more direct means would mean more shapes that one can have the live corners on--for here, a trapezoid that one can round corners on.

Even more direct way would be if Xara had fillet tool. Specially for a tab shaped like the one Gary did, it would be by far also the easiest and most accurate way. Basically would only need to draw line and rectangle, then fillet tool would do the rest.

I would do it like this and then import the shape.