Certificate Borders

I was asked to create a certificate. So I looked at the clipart and on the internet for the examples of typical border patterns.

I have been experimenting with blending curves which have been, for the most part, not satisfactory.

Has anyone done this sort of thing with a 2-D app and have a procedure or in a previous life (before computers) by hand? I'd be interested in the basis geomictric principles and, of course, if there's away to replicate those principles in Xara.

Attached is an example of a comercially available border pattern and a copy of some patterns I've come up with. It appears half the effort will be in the design of the pattern and the other half in making them "Seamless".

Draw a String art shape...

clone it...

Blend...

convert to shape...

Add shapes...

Now you have 1 object that does what you need...

I think you can figure out the rest John.:)

I think you are on the right track.
You just need to use:
'Blend along a curve' and
'Position profile'.

I'd create one section, clone it, blend between the two, and carefully edit everything to get the spacings correct. You will probably have to create a corner piece by hand, and massage it into place as well, but once you've done it once, the other three corners are just copies.

As a proof of concept, even though it is very rough...

Hi David,

That is kind of what I've been doing. Problem now is trying to determine the smaller more intricate patterns.

Unfortunately, I suspect that it's just a matter of tedium and perfectionism. Maybe someone else has better news. But using blends will save a *bunch* of time in the end, even though they are an (extreme) pain to set up.

Actually, your doing real good by yourselfs but workbook 38 on the xaraxone has a tutorial on this. There may even be more if you start digging.......

Maybe this technique will help. I just copy and paste, grouping a few times. Try different variations of the first line. This is just one little example. There are many more. :cool:

Yours are looking pretty good mike...

I was thinking... If you create just a quarter (Half of the long side and half the short side with one corner)of the border, then clone and flip you can create a nice border relatively quickly.

You can also look at blending some decorative fonts such as wingdings to add some elements to the border.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike Bailey

... Edited for Size ... :cool:

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Good Idea - Thanks (love them Borders - Can't have Enough -LOL :eek: ) :D:rolleyes:

Thanks to Everyone - Loved the Posts of Examples & Ideas! Tom

:rolleyes: Looking at all these designs brings back memories of making these types of designs as a child, using Super Spirograph! Used a pen put into a tiny hole in a gear and rotated around a laid out track surface. Each roatation laid down another line. Could make wacky shapes and even the most complicated certificate edges imaginable. Beautiful designs and so much fun. :p
Can see the set I used to have here: samisite.com/external/spirograph2.jpg

Works well for me Mike, thanks for posting the tip.
Samantha - ahh, good old Spirograph, possibly the
prototype of Xara.
I was as hooked on it then as I am now on Xara.
Saludos,
Bob.

(LOL...just tried the link to my image above and it took me to my "stolen image" notice....fixed it...!:D )

I made a few more examples, I start with a simple line. First one was a freehand loop. Second a wavy line. Third was a curve and a point. etc..

Mike,
Can you show an example of one of these where you use the border on a document and the corners line up perfectly?
ron

An attempt at a full page border.

Really nice one, Bill.
ron

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Soquili

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Nice Border Bill & Bob - Thanks for Sharing . . .

Here's a frame I did a while back. A lot simpler than those above and made from one component so easy to mitre and re-colour etc :) Really meant as edges of a border.

I used the built in QUICK SHAPE 60 point star shape and cloning to create this certificate border. One shape, repeated. Corners were skewed and then a white rectangle was applied on top. Didn't see that anyone had used that technique.

http://www.samisite.com/external/sams_cert.jpg

Very inventive, simple, and excellent solution--the hardest of all to figure out! Well done!

Very nice solution Samantha.

Quote:

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Mike,
Can you show an example of one of these where you use the border on a document and the corners line up perfectly?
ron

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Good job everyone!

jcelements, congratulations, you're on the right track. If you'd like to collaborate send me a pm or email me: cipherion@gmail.com

best wishes

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jclements

Hi David,

That is kind of what I've been doing. Problem now is trying to determine the smaller more intricate patterns.

http://www.talkgraphics.com/attachme...1&d=1205263642

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Is this a Xara work? I mean the image it self. And what is the base pattern for the yellow blending (including the corner)?

This is just a blend from Xara... Maybe 10-20 minutes work. The corners are the hard part.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by samrc

........ Corners were skewed and then a white rectangle was applied on top.

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Samantha, Did you try this without skewing the corners? I think it may look a little better. Excellent start.

I fit that little test in between actual work so did not go back to play with it more. This week has been a challenge to find any time for playing! :)

I skewed the corners for expediency and did not try it any other way when I made that border. Seems like there would be many ways to make a corner that would fit. I uploaded the xar file with the post in case anyone wanted to try.

(At the time I posted, I thought folks would laugh at or be dismissive of my "cheater" border since everyone was very serious about building components, blending, artistry and such. Was quite pleasantly surprised that the reaction on the forum! And gotta say, part of the reason I like the software is the JOY of using it but the other part is the atmosphere in this forum is so positive, even when someone does a different interpretation of a topic!)

I would like to make another border with the new v4 beta and see what nonsense I can get into with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by raynerj1

This is just a blend from Xara... Maybe 10-20 minutes work. The corners are the hard part.:)

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Ok, send me the xar and I'll handle the corner (if you have an extra 10-20 minutes :) )

You havn't posted enough for me to email you. But here is 5 minutes work... Tweek it as you see fit, and have fun.

Try applying a 3D effect on these borders. It's fun.