Are custom Stroke Shapes/Profiles possible? - for Spirals

[dvector]

Hi I have a problem, or at least I don't know a shortcut for this. I need to re-create aprox 30 spirals all expanding out to different line widths.

What I really want to know is there a way to specify the start point width and end point width of a line? especially the Stroke /Pressure profiles?

Thanks for any help.

PS I have used the handy SPX Spirals for Xara to generate a perfect spiral for cloning

best regards /David
vectorvend.co.uk
vectorgraphic.co.uk

[stratocast]

I haven't seen anything that would enable you to do this straight off the bat, but it's got me thinking. I wonder if it could be achieved with a brush or even a blend?

I haven't got time to experiment at the mo (gotta earn a crust), but this is an interesting challenge and useful if a solution can be found.

[DGehman]

Tried a blend on a curve (the spiral being the curve) - almost. Problem was, no matter what shape I tried (square, circle, small arc), I couldn't altogether get rid of bumps all along the spiral, even at 999 steps, even with the blend on curve / smart rotated, or whatever it's called.

Then I tried 2 spirals and connected them. I don't have the brainpower to adjust the second spiral to the right shape, but it involves scaling (I think) and rotating (definitely). It might involve a 2nd spiral, with slightly different settings (most likely), but, again, I don't have the brainpower to figure out what attribute of the spiral has to change.

I used the shape editor to connect each of the ends of the 2 spirals, then filled the resulting shape.

By the way, the spx thing is great, thanks for the link.

Dave

[gwpriester]

There are a variety of tapered custom stoke shapes in the Freehand and Brush Tool Infobar. You might try some of these. It will take some trial and error but you may be able to get close.

TIP: If the width of the stoke is going the wrong way (thin outside, thick inside) switch to the Shape Editor Tool and press the U-shaped arrow icon on the Infobar (Reverse Paths).

Gary

[dvector]

DGehman thanks for attempting that drawing. SPX is Dmitry's spiral program rather handy, and first time I've used it.

In the end I did as mentioned by Gary, played around with different line widths using mainly the convex, concave and fallout to get the job done.

It would be great however to have the control to specify accurate end point widths.

Thanks to all

[Egg Bramhill]

You could use SPX, Dmitry's spiral program.

First create a spiral with 15 steps & import to Extreme.

Next create a spiral with 16 steps & import to Extreme.

Align , select both lines & join to create a shape.

I post an example xar

[Mike Bailey]

I draw them freehand. I use the stroke that tapers on both ends. I adjust the line width for the various elements of the design as I draw it.

[gwpriester]

Looks like engraved silver Mike. Very elegant.

Gary