Attaching Blends to a Path

Attaching Blends to a Path

Once you have created a blend, you can then align the blend to a path. This feature allows you to create all sorts of effects, the most exciting of which is the ability to create your own custom strokes.

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This feature was much more important before FreeHand added the Spray brushes. If you want to repeat the same object along a path, the Spray brush will probably be easier to use. However, if you want to repeat elements that change color or shape, then you will most likely need to use a blend on a path.

To align a blend to a path:

Create a blend and a path. Select both the blend and the path

Figure 17. To align a blend to a path, select the blend and the path to which you want to align it.

Choose Modify > Combine > Join Blend to Path.

The blend automatically aligns to the shape of the path

Figure 18. The results of aligning a blend to a path.

To see the path, click Show path in the Object Inspector

Figure 19. The Blend on a path controls in the Object inspector.

To change the orientation of the objects in the blend, click Rotate on path in the Inspector palette

Figure 20. A blend with Rotate on path selected (top) and unselected (bottom).

To release a blend from a path:

Select a blend that has been aligned to a path.

Choose Modify > Split.

The blend separates from the path.

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Blends that have been aligned on a path can still be modified using the Subselect tool (see previous page).