Among the most popular programs for graphic designers like me is Adobe Illustrator. Adobe has many tools for creating 2D animations, character animation, logos, and 3D effects. Even though they aren’t utilised much, several tools still improve the program.
One tool that may be used to create borders, horizontal breaks, and unique typography is the width tool in Adobe Illustrator. It not only helps you create and save personalised stroke profiles, but it also makes the process more productive and efficient.
I will discuss the fundamentals of the width tool in this blog post, along with several useful examples! This tool is indispensable for everyone who creates character animation!
Typical Uses for the Width Tool
First, the fundamentals. How does one begin utilising it, and where is the tool located?
You can utilise Illustrator’s Width Tool by either selecting it from the toolbar or by pressing Shift+W.
Holding down the mouse button while dragging on the stroke will establish anchor points for the design you want to construct. Pull either up or down on
use these places to constrict or extend that particular stroke segment.
Inequitable Stroke Length
Holding down Alt while moving the width tool allows you to change the stroke. You can extend or contract only one side of a stroke by holding Alt instead of both sides at once.
How to Save and Use Width Profiles
Its ability to be applied to any stroke, regardless of angle or length, is the width tool’s greatest feature. It gives the stroke structure as well as creativity.
Applying the arm to any stroke, regardless of length or angle, is another fantastic feature of the width profile. It not only increases the efficiency of the stroke but also the efficiency of the stroke profile.
To view stroke paths, open the Stroke window and select the Path dropdown, as I’ve demonstrated in the figure above. Choose the “Add to paths” option from the Stroke window’s Profile dropdown after selecting your changed stroke to include a replacing path.
Action of the Width Tool
Most likely, you are considering every feature and function of the width tool. To gain a better understanding of the width tool, you can examine some actual design samples.
As seen in the above image, the letter “H” can be made with a single stroke. It is possible to achieve a calligraphic appearance by thickening specific stroke segments with the width tool. For bespoke terrain, it performs admirably.
When drawing a horizontal stroke, remember to include the demand’s shape and the number bulb. Strokes on additional assets in this project or ones that are comparable can use this stroke profile, which you can add to your profile library.
It is incompatible with Brush Tool.
The Brush Definition should be set to “Basic” when using Illustrator’s Brush tool. The first time you “draw the path,” choose the “Basic” option in the Brush Panel (F5).
In the Brush Panel, the Basic choice is not a brush. Instead, it is a method of removing brush strokes from the chosen pathways and turning them into a simple path, which makes the Width Tool available.
The default calligraphy brush is applied to your Path without variable effects when you click the Basic button and begin drawing.
Additionally, users should be aware that they cannot utilise the Brush Tool and the Width Tool simultaneously. Applying one’s own effect on a basic path—which could be a shape or text transformed into a shape—is the main usage for the width tool. It is disabled and does not function in Brush because it is designed for creating path variants.
Use the Shape Tool or Pen Tool.
The breadth tool could be helpful to users who deal with the Shape and Pen tools. It allows you more control over your design and helps you eliminate needless obstacles. It will show proficiency and enhance your workflow.
You have control over the quantity of stroke points in the Path when you design using the Pen tool directly. Because only you can decide which part of the Path you want to apply scale and weight on, you’ll be able to score as few points as possible. As a result, it guarantees a smooth and uneven path.
Utilise tablets
The Width Tool, which was developed specifically for “tablet” workflow, allows you to change the thickness and weight of your path in a manner similar to using a pencil and rubber.
If you’ve already made the decision to use the Width Tool, you can begin with a pencil or a basic stroke path. The “Width handle” can be hidden by using Alt + 5 as a short key. It can be made visible once more using the same technique.
Live-Action
You might only be able to change the width profile when there are several routes to convert, and you might not be able to convert the strokes to basic. It’s also possible that there is an option to switch to basic, but selecting it has no impact. In these cases, follow Object> Live Paint> Expand to bring up the Width Tool.
To put it briefly
The Width Tool could provide you the motivation to keep using this tool for your design. Work becomes easier to handle when strokes can be changed at any time. This little-known tool might be quite helpful if you work with shapes and pen tools.
The width tool, in my opinion as a designer, is underappreciated. It will prove useful if you know how to use this tool properly. I hope this blog post clarified how to use the width tool.
For anyone interested in creating stunning graphics, Illustrator offers a plethora of additional tools that are essential to know. Among these are the Curvature, Pencil, and Transform tools. If you want to improve your Adobe Illustrator skills, experiment with all the tools and effects.
FAQs
How does Illustrator’s width tool operate?
You can change a path or stroke’s width at particular anchor points or all the way along its length with Adobe Illustrator’s Width tool. To utilise it, pick the Width tool from the toolbar after choosing the path or stroke you wish to change. You can generate width variations by clicking and dragging along the route, or you can click on an anchor point to change the width there. For more intricate width adjustments, you can also utilise the Width tool in combination with the Width Profile settings.
Why is Illustrator’s Width tool unavailable to me?
There may be several reasons why you can’t utilise Illustrator’s Width tool. First, make sure the path or stroke you have chosen is one that the Width tool can modify; it won’t function on other kinds of objects. Additionally, make sure you are not in a workspace or mode that prevents you from using specific tools. Finally, see if the document is in a mode that would prevent the Width tool from working, such as Outline mode.
How can I use Illustrator’s width tool on a brush?
To apply Illustrator’s Width tool to a brush stroke, do the following:
- Choose the brush stroke that you wish to change.
- From the toolbar, select the Width tool.
- To add a width point, click on any area of the brush stroke.
- To change the width there, click and drag.
- To generate intricate width variations, you can add more than one width point along the brush stroke.
- Just choose a width point and hit the Delete key to get rid of it.
In Illustrator, how can you alter an object’s width?
In Illustrator, there are multiple ways to alter an object’s width:
By choosing the item and dragging one of the handles, you may change the width of simple shapes like ellipses or rectangles. Select the item and use the Scale tool (S) to enlarge it while keeping its proportions if you want to scale it uniformly. Use the Width tool or change the stroke weight in the Stroke panel to change a stroke’s width on a path.
For more intricate width adjustments, think about creating unique width variations along a path using the Stroke panel’s Width Profile choices.
