Adobe
Live Motion 1.0 comes with some nifty bezier or vector tools for creating art
work. Below is a simple set of tips on using them to create the outline of a boat.
Your two main tools are the 'pen tool' and the 'pen selection
tool.' You can access these tools by pressing the 'P' key for the pen tool and
the 'S' for the pen selection tool. Toggle between them rather than selecting
the tool from the tool palette.
2) A Straight Line
To create a straight line select the 'pen
tool' click one point and then click another point without dragging the mouse
or pen. You can continue ti create straight lines in this manner, all linked to
each other. Another way to create a straight line is to hold down the 'Ctrl' key
and click another point. No matter where you click you will get a straight-line
that is confined to a 45 degree increment from the first point.
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| Use the 'Ctrl' key for straight lines in 45 degree increments |
3) A Curved Line
Click to create a second point forming the aft section of the boat shape and then
click down and to the left, but do not release the mouse button or pen this time.
Drag in the opposite direction you want for your curve. Two 'direction points'
appear. Create a nice curve for the hull shape.
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| If you drag down the curve will go in the opposite direction |
3) Add to a Curve
After completing
the first curve you can release the mouse or pen and click further left to create
a new curve. Drag this curve and when you are satisfied continue on. Don't worry
about being perfect now. Just get the general shape correct. You can fine tune
it later.
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| Create a general shape and fine tune it later |
4)
Closing a Shape
You close the shape by clicking on the first 'control
point.' When the 'pen tool' floats over the original point a circle appears alongside
the 'pen tool' icon. This indicates you are about to close the shape.
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| Close the object by selecting the original point |
5) Shifting Points
To shift a number of 'control
points' around use the 'pen selection' tool (S) to draw a selection box around
them. You can now move all the selected points at one time.
6) Shift One Control
Point
Use the 'pen selection tool' (S) to move a single 'control point.'
Select one of the two 'direction points' to reshape the curve.
7) Add a New Control Point
Adding additional 'control points' to reshape
an object is easy. Select the 'pen tool' (P) and click anywhere along the path.
A new control point is added.
8) Delete a Control
Point
Click any existing control point with the 'pen tool' (P), a minus
sign appears indicating you are about to delete that point.
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| Delete by selecting a point with the pen tool |
9)
Break the Direction Line
You can convert a 'smooth point' to a 'corner
point' or a 'corner point' to a 'smooth' one by clicking the point while holding
down the Alt key. To break a direction line so you can adjust one side of curve
only, select the 'pen selection tool' (S). Now holding the - Alt - key down move
the one 'direction point' to straighten out the bow of the boat shape.
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| To break the direction points for independent editing hold down on
the Alt key and move the direction point. |
10) Final
Result
Here is the completed shape. As you can see the LiveMotion pen
tools give you the power to create almost any shape you desire.
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| A simple shape created in LiveMotion |