Creating stipple objects

The Stipple tool creates a random pattern (different shapes, sizes, and, optionally, colors) within a defined boundary, which resembles a hand-drawn shaded effect. To create a stipple object, either use the Stipple tool, or draw a polyline and then run the Create Objects from Shapes command (see Creating objects from shapes).

1. Click the tool and mode, and then click Preferences to set the default Stipple tool parameters.

The Define Stipple Pattern dialog box opens. Up to two different shapes can be specified to define the stipple pattern.

Parameter	Description
Shape 1/Shape 2	Click the appropriate tab to define two different shapes, sizes, aspect ratios, and shape percentages
Shape type	Select the stipple fill shape. For the polygon shape, specify the number of sides.
Minimum/Maximum Size	Enter the minimum/maximum size of the stipple pattern
Max Aspect Ratio	Enter the maximum aspect ratio of the stipple shapes (enter 1 to use a square aspect ratio)
Mix Percent	Enter the fill shape mixture percentage. The percentage defines the contribution of each shape to the stipple pattern, up to 100% (for example, enter 60% for shape one and shape two automatically displays 40%). If shape one is assigned 100%, then shape two cannot be defined.
Stipple Density
Low/High	Adjust the density of the stipple fill shapes by dragging the slider along the Stipple Density slider or by entering a numeric value between 1 and 200 in the box below the Stipple Density slider
Color Stipple Shapes	Randomly fills the stipple shapes with colors in the specified color range
Color Range/to	Click the color boxes to select the desired color ranges
Fade Stipple from Edge	Creates a stipple that fades in from the edge of the stippled shape
Width of Stipple	Enter the width of the faded area in page dimensions
Void Stipple Center	Leaves the center of the stipple unshaded
Edge Treatment	Determines how the stipple shapes are drawn at the edge of the stippled area
Randomly Rotate Shapes	Select to randomly rotate the stipple shapes. De-select to speed drawing when using fill shapes that do not require rotation, such as ovals with an aspect ratio of 1.
Use World Dimension Units	Select to use real-world dimensions; otherwise, the entries are made in page dimensions (the size the elements display when printed)

Both the Color Stipple Shapes and Fade Stipple from Edge options are processor-intensive actions and can significantly increase stipple regeneration time.

3. Click to set the end of the segment and the beginning of the next. Continue drawing segments in this manner until the object is complete.

4. Click a second time at the start point to complete a closed polyline object, or double-click to complete an open polyline object.

Editing stipple objects

To edit the parameters for a stipple object, click the Stipple Settings button from the Shape tab of the Object Info palette (the parameters are described in Creating stipple objects).

To modify default stipple settings, click the Preferences button on the Tool bar.

To reshape a stipple object, double-click it to activate the Reshape tool. Select the object handles to reshape the stipple object boundary. For more information, see Reshaping objects.

Saving a stipple pattern

Once a stipple is set to the desired appearance, you can save the pattern as a symbol for future use. When you select the stipple from the Resource Manager, all the settings are preset, and you can draw a new shape with that stipple pattern.

The stipple pattern is saved as a symbol in the Stipples folder, in the active file.

4. To use a saved stipple pattern, double-click it from the Resource Manager, click a drawing mode from the Tool bar, and draw the new stipple object.