dashed line, with perspective

[Richard_Baron@adobeforums.com]

I think I once saw the answer to this question a long time ago; now is when I need it (of course).

I want a dashed line (on a highway) to go into the distance. I can't do this, apparently, with a dashed line stroke, the expand command and some playing around, and I am not having any luck with a pattern and the expand command. I tried a few other things without success, too.

There's got to be something simple I'm missing, right?

[Philip_Peterson@adobeforums.com]

You don't say which version. CS makes this easier then previous versions. But basically, make dashed line. Object>Flatten transparency. Then play around. With CS us the 3d tools, with previous versions, use the free distort.

[Richard_Baron@adobeforums.com]

I'm still running Illustrator 9 (although I think it's time to upgrade)

I don't seem to be having much luck with the free distort effect. I can only move the dashed line around instead of getting the bottom part of the dash fat and the top dash thin.

[Philip_Peterson@adobeforums.com]

Did you do the Object>flatten transparency first? Then grab just one of the handles on the bottom of the free transform and drag it out?

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Richard, you may try this:

As Philip says, start with Object>Flatten Transparency; remember to convert strokes to outlines.

Then, if your dashed line goes upward, try with Effect>Warp>Arc, Vertical, Bend 0, Horizontal -10, Vertical +50, or whichever values suit you (both distortions are needed in order to get the perspective effect); you may use a curved path to start with.

[Eddie_Ostrowski@adobeforums.com]

Richard, prior to Illustrator CS and Adobe Dimensions, you could achieve the same results you're looking for by using the Scale Tool and some additional steps. However, its quite easy, and much more flexible, in CS. Try this: 1)Draw a 10 pt line about a 1/2" in length. 2)Duplicate across the length of page. Don't forget to space them apart. 3)Select all. Then, Object > Path > Outline Stroke. 4)Group all. 5)Effect > 3D > Rotate. 6)IMPORTANT! Before you click OK, experiment with the Perspective settings until you achieve your desired results. 7)Apply a gradient (a receding black to white) Also, don't forget to hold down the Shift key while applying the gradient. 8)Effect > Warp > Arc (to your liking). Tire tracks are optional. Eddie

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

Have you considered using Dashed line with large point, then EXPAND and manually reduce the sides to make perspective?

Bob

[Richard_Baron@adobeforums.com]

No good, yet.

Starting with a dashed stroke, then flatten transparancy, then convert stroke to outlines, the result is a rectangle with a line down the middle (no dashes).

Illustrator 9 has no warp effect.

A dashed line plus expand produces a solid line.

I was also playing with a simple pattern brush, placed on a stroke, expanded and then distorted. Also, no luck.

This can't be that hard.

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

Richard,

Have you tried to make a physical perspective line and then make a brush out of it? Make your dashed stroke perhaps with a 10 weight, then Transparancy Flatten. You get each dash as a separate opject. Now using Direct Selection tool, apply your own diminishing line of dashes. Make this into a brush and apply to a stroke. Modify to fit your needs.

Bob

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Richard,

Starting with a dashed stroke, then flatten transparancy, then convert
stroke to outlines, the result is a rectangle with a line down the middle
(no dashes).




I meant tick convert strokes to outlines BEFORE you press OK to Flatten Transparency, as part of it.

A completely different approach is to make two side paths fitting the sides of the dashed line (straight or curved), meeting at the horizon, and closing the path. After this you may add a sufficient number of anchor points so you get distances corresponding to the gaps, cut the side paths at the gaps, and rejoin the side paths to make the dashes; both gaps and dashed being shorter you will need to add more anchor points in the far end.

Written before I saw the post from Bob.

[Eddie_Ostrowski@adobeforums.com]

Richard, I completely missed that you're on AI9... sorry. Therefore, here's the old-fashioned way using the Scale Tool. 1)Create an angulated guide from the lower lefthand corner to the upper righthand corner (perspective guide). 2)Draw a 10pt line, approximately 1/2" long, on the lower part of the guide (no fill). 3)Create Outline. 4) Then, adjust the outlined stroke so that its bottom edge is resting on the guide. 5)With the Direct Selection Tool, move the top line of the rectangle to the left (skew to taste for proper perspective). 6)Select skewed object. 7) With the Scale Tool, click on the right end of the perspective guide. 8)Hold down the Alt key. Simultaneously, click on the object and drag one copy along the guide (don't forget to leave a space). 9)Let go of the mouse. 10)Click Ctrl+D for multiples. 11)Apply gradient for realism. Add telephone poles using the same method. Eddie

[James_E._Talmage@adobeforums.com]

Someone please refresh my memory. Does AI 9 not have the same Free Transform Tool with its perspective feature as in AI10 and CS? If it does:

1. Draw a vertical line. Thick dashed stroke.

2. Transparency Palette: Give it an Opacity of 99%. (This is so that Flatten Transparency will have an effect.)

3. Edit>Flatten Transparency. (You should now have a group of rectangles.)

4. Rectangle Tool. Draw a big rectangle encompassing the group and corresponding to the width of the road. Send it to the back.

5. Select both objects (the rectangle and the group).

6. Free Transform Tool. MouseDown on the upper left corner of the selection. Do not drag; just mouseDown. While holding the mouseDown, press the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys. While holding these keys down, drag to the right.

Or....

1. Line Tool. Drag a long vertical line in the middle of your page. The top endpoint of this line is your vanishing point.

2. DirectSelect the bottom endpoint and move it to the right a bit. Leave it selected.

3. Scissor Tool: Cut this line a short distance from the bottom, corresponding to the desired length of the nearest road dash. When you cut, the short piece will be selected and the rest will be deselected. However, the top point of the short piece will be directSelected. Therefore, normal select the short piece.

4. Reflect Tool: AltClick on the vanishing point. In the reflect dialog, select Vertical Axis and click Copy. Now you have the two sides of the near dash.

5. DirectSelect Tool: Marquee around the bottom endpoints of the two short paths. Ctrl J (Join). Normal select the path. Ctrl J again. This closes the path. Now you have the properly tapered nearest dash. Leave it selected.

6. Scale Tool: AltClick the vanishing point. In the dialog, turn on the preview checkbox. Enter a scale value (something like 75%). Toggle the preview checkbox on and off to see if the scale factor gives you the kind of scaling desired for the second-nearest dash. Adjust the scaling factor until you get the distance between the original and the scaled copy you want. When it looks right, click Copy.

7. Ctrl D (Duplicate) several times. Each time, you will get one more dash, progressively scaled toward the vansishing point.

JET

[James_E._Talmage@adobeforums.com]

Eddie and I were evidently typing at the same time. The principle is the same for both constructions.

JET

[Richard_Baron@adobeforums.com]

I'll work these suggestions over later today.

For good measure, I just ordered CS.

[Eddie_Ostrowski@adobeforums.com]

Richard, I'm sure you'll like CS. Let us know how you created your dashed lines in perspective. Eddie