Let’s see what the Blend Tool is capable of.
Overview:
The blend tool consists of 2 (or more) shapes and essentially alters the first shape into the second by creating a number of steps in between the 2. If you blend and then “Edit > Expand,” paths will be formed for all of the shapes in between.
The Blend tool can blend in 3 different Ways: Specified Steps, Smooth Colour, or Specified Distance. We will have a look at all 3 with some simple examples.
1. Blend using “Specified Steps”
2 lines blended with 15 steps, .25pt stroke:
4 lines blended with 15 steps, .25pt stroke:
In the first few examples will be using the Specified Steps mode of the blend tool. To set the mode, navigate to Object > Blend > Blend Options. From the drop down menu choose “Specified Steps.” Set a number of steps to be used, and click OK. (Note: You can also set the Blend Options by double clicking on the Blend Tool in the Tool Palette)
Now, make 2 simple shapes on the artboard.
You can blend it in 2 ways: Navigate to Object > Blend > Make, or key Command+Option+B (Mac) or Control+Alt+B (PC). You can also use the actual tool from the palette. Make sure you have the shape you want on top On Top. Here is the result, 15 Steps, 1pt stroke on both shapes:
Even after the Blend, you still only have 2 paths. In order to get paths for all of the steps in between, navigate to Object > Expand.
Press OK with the default (all). Note: Expanding your blends goes for the rest of the examples in this tutorial.
Make the star the bigger shape, and use the same blend settings. (15 steps, 1pt stroke on both shapes)
We are still in the Specified Steps and now we are going to play with a few more details. I have used the same star and circle from above and made the stroke on the circle 3pt. instead of 1 pt:
15 steps, with different fill colours: (circle is on top)
15 steps, with an artistic brush stroke applied:
Choose the paths with the Direct Select Tool (White Arrow) after you apply the Blend and make changes. Here, I only moved the small star path around after the blend was applied:
Make the 2 shapes overlap before blending:
15 Steps with different Stroke sizes and Stroke colours:
2. Blend using “Smooth Colour”
There is no setting for steps in with this option because smooth colour assumes you want to ‘morph’ the colour, AKA a gradient blend. As an example, I used 4 stars, the smallest being on bottom and the largest star on top.
Change the Blend Options to “Smooth Colour”:
“Expand” (Object > Expand) the shape, and you will get an intricate set of paths that represent the steps in between. Then get rid of the fills, and put a .25pt stroke on them.
3. Blend using “Specified Distance”
Use a star and a circle.
Blended with 7px distance, both 1pt strokes, different stroke colours:
Blended with 12px distance, both 1pt strokes, different stroke colours:
Blended with 12px distance, different stroke sizes, different stroke colours:
Move the circle outside of the star and use a 12px distance, but with different stroke sizes and colours:
This is made with an artistic brush stroke (oversized, like 10pt):
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