distressed text

**angelize** · 14 July 2014, 02:34 AM

Here is a quick video tutorial showing the bitmap transparency method.

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 July 2014, 01:18 PM

Here's another way, which is 100% vector. Distressed text using a brush.

Watch in HD

EDIT: The Add Shapes is not exactly needed, you can just subtract the ex-line group from the text, however this slows down the outcome, so I recommend using the Add shapes method.

Attached the xar if you want to experiment.

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 July 2014, 01:53 PM

Same method but using a bevel to add further distressing.

**Albacore** · 14 July 2014, 04:08 PM

Sorry no video this time but I also use brushes as Egg as in the top line of text! But I also use the bitmap Fill Gallery to get textures and then pass it through the Bitmap Tracer in the Utilities Menu to convert it to vector shapes. I group these shapes and then convert the text to shapes and make sure this text is to the back and then position the texture vector shapes over the Text. Using the Shift and Alt keys I select both the text and the vector shapes and use Combined Shape and then out to Subtract Shapes to give the grunge texture. I have found through using both methods for printing better than the transparency but Frances method is good for the web. Xhris produced a whole lot of brushes many years ago and I still use them frequently so get over to the Brushes Forum or the Xone and download them if you want to use Egg's method.

Two things that I would comment on here and the first is the Brushes. Even though the brush is vector shapes it is not a proper vector brush as I cant easily edit nodes. It would be a HUGE boost for users if we had Grunge/Art type brushes as in Illustrator. Also a the Same:- Fill & Stroke, Opacity, Fill, Stroke, Stroke Weight. which is a very quick way of changing the appearance of your art work. Sorry for not staying on topic here.

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 July 2014, 08:15 PM

Never thought of using bitmap traces Albacore, in fact one of the only real-world uses for the trace I can think or. Here's one I made using a trace of a star-field to gain the distressed effect. Thank's for the idea

EDIT: Link to the star-field image used to create the distressed effect.

**gwpriester** · 14 July 2014, 09:12 PM

Mike - Need more help?

**mikerawlinson** · 14 July 2014, 09:33 PM

As always so many diff ways to do the same job ......Thank you for showing me how to do this ...... was really helpful.
I can now distress text and other things .

Mike

**iamtheblues** · 15 July 2014, 09:06 AM

Back in January this year I uploaded a vector wooden plank texture and this can be ungrouped into various shapes and if you select what you need and regroup them they can be placed over some text and and sliced to create a nice vector result.
Bob.