The Xara Xone Tutorials
Xara Xone Guest Tutorials  Page 1
 0   1   2   3   4   5   6   Download Zipped Tutorial

THE XARA XONE | XARA.COM | THE XARA CONFERENCES

Shadows and color meshes using blends:

The Blend Tool1. First we need to understand the Blend Tool. The blend command creates a transition between objects, which means it calculates the average between the objects using the number of steps defined (5 by default).

Let's look at an example: If we have two objects, a red rectangle and a blue circle, the blend command, using 5 steps of average calculation will create a transition from one object to another. In this case, a blend from a red rectangle to a blue circle.

The idea is the same as the Gauss bell graph used for calculating either vectors or average numbers.

2. Thus we have 7 objects: the 2 original (the rectangle and the circle) and the 5 steps of blend.

As you can see the Gauss Bell example, the middle object will be the exact and the most accurate average of the rectangle and the circle. Which will have 50% of each of the object's qualities.

This also gives you an idea of how to create complex uncommon geometrical objects. Just find basic geometrical objects that are relative to the one you want to create. Creating a blend transition between them, converting to shapes (Ctrl Shift s) and ungroup (Ctrl u) them - you can select any of the intermediate blend steps separately as seen above.

TIP: You can adjust the distribution of the blend objects by using the Profile settings. Click the arrow icons on the Infobar to open the Profile dialog. The first arrow controls the spacing of the blend objects the second arrow controls the transition of the colors.

3. So, if the blend command creates a transition between objects calculating their color and shape, lets try to make a color mesh palette using the blend command.

Let's say I'm working on a book cover, the color of which is dark green. I want to use several shades of green that will be harmonious with the main color. Instead of picking many colors separately, I used the dark green as my basic color, and the lightest green I want to use. Creating a 5 step blend between them will give me 5 shades of colors + my 2 basic ones.

Color Editor

Now you can pick any color by using the Color Picker from the Color Editor dialog.

 

Next Page >

 

1   2   3   4   5   6   FEEDBACK PAGE   NEXT PAGE