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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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