How can I add Sine waves to follow the path of a circle using Illustrator
How can I add Sine waves to follow the path of a circle using Illustrator
Question
In Illustrator I'm trying to create quite a simple shape but I don't know the simplest way of going about it.
I have created a Sine wave using the Sine Curve script by Sato Hiroyuki.
I have doubled it and flipped it to create this "wave band" image and I want to know how I cant get it (if possible) to follow the path of a circle:
Is there something similar to the Type on a Path tool but for shapes? or is this going to be a case of painstakingly "free-handing" the curves?
Accepted Answer
With the help of Pattern Brush you can do this in Adobe Illustrator.
- Select the sine waves you had made
- Drag these sine waves to Brush palette
- Select Pattern Brush and press OK
- Select Circle
- Click on sine waves pattern brush you just made
Popular Answer
Pattern Brush? Why not use an Effect!
Pattern brush is a lot of work to create a sine wave. The pattern brush technique is also compounded by the complexity of generating a pattern brush suitable for wrapping around the radius of the circle. Otherwise the zero crossings (point that crosses the perimeter of the shape) will not be smooth. The elegance will be lost. Adobe Illustrator already has a tool for creating sinusoidal waves on arbitrary paths.
Step 1: Make a shape
Step 2: Apply Effect
Use the "Zig Zag" effect from the "Distort and Transform" submenu of the "Effect" menu.
The "Smooth" radio button will create a sinusoid.
Step 3: Rotate and Copy
First measure the angle between ridges. 90 degrees (top) - 70 degrees gives a 20 degree spacing. Half which is our rotation angle.
Finish Up
The effect can be expanded to create actual paths, or left as-is for flexibility. The zig zag tool is very flexible and can be used in a wide variety of situations.
This image shows a straight line with the zig zag effect applied three times. No other changes were made. This shape would have been difficult to create otherwise!
