Wavy zoom effect

[salaam]

I've been puzzling for a while on how to create a wavy zoom effect and then thought of combining the Brush with the Blend. It is a bit limited as the brush only accepts 50 objects.

[jamesmc]

Looks way cool!

Tut please!

[salaam]

Looks way cool!

Tut please!

Create your objects.
Apply a bevel to them eg. 'size 1pix'
Go to 'Arrange' (top menu bar) and select 'Create bitmap copy.'
You will no longer need the vector version as 'Brushes' can not use bevelled shapes.
Copy the bitmap and greatly reduce it in size.
Select the 'Blend tool' and blend from small to big.
Change the number of steps to 47 (this will give you a total of 50 objects. The 'Brush tool' will not allow you to use more than this.)
Go to 'Arrange' and select: 'Convert to editable shapes.'
Go to 'Arrange again and select 'Ungroup.'
Now select the 'Freehand brush tool.'
Then click on 'Create brush.' This will re-group all of the 50 bitmap objects into one brush.
Give your 'brush' a name.
Draw a line and then go to 'Edit brush.'
Within the 'Fill properties' untick 'Tile fills'
Within the 'Rotation' tab untick the 'Rotate along path.'
Within the 'Spacing' tab reduce the spacing to something like 4%.
Click on save.
You may want to change more settings within the 'Edit brush' which you can do at any time.
For the 'Skydiver' I have also altered the transparency.

[gwpriester]

Or you could Blend Along a Path. I made the middle ZOOM transparent which creates an interesting sharp-soft-sharp effect.

The terrific thing about Xara's blends is you can blend almost anything you want and it does not all have to be the same thing. The transparency is a good example. You can also blend beveled objects with shadows and transparency, etc.

Gary

[salaam]

Or you could Blend Along a Path.
Gary

Now he tells me!!

[raynerj1]

Gary... I am so surprised. You had a perfect opportuinity to use a worm and you missed it?