Warp an Object in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a program produced by Adobe Systems that allows you to create and edit vector objects. It is currently part of the Adobe Creative Suite, a package that includes other popular programs, such as InDesign, Acrobat and Photoshop. Illustrator is popular with graphic design firms because it allows you to create 3D images and work with typography. Illustrator also allows you to use tools to change, distort and warp Illustrator objects and text. The way you change or warp objects and text differs from 1 version of Illustrator to another. They are also commonly called "envelope distortions." Creative Suite 5 (CS5) uses the Effects Menu to choose different warp distortions for an object. Read more to find out how to warp an object in Adobe Illustrator.

Steps

  1. Open an existing or new document in Adobe Illustrator. Use the "Place" option under the File Menu to import an object, or create an object using the Shape Builder Tool or the Rectangle Tool.
  2. Make changes to the color, border, size or style using the tools in the Tool Panel. Click on the object you have created. Ensure you have selected the right layer in the Layer Panel before you start to warp your object.
  3. Drag your cursor to the Effect Menu on the top horizontal toolbar. Find the word "Warp" under "Illustrator Effects." Drag your cursor to the word and hover until the option drops down on the right hand side.
  4. Decide which effect you would prefer. For example, you can warp your object into a wave, fisheye, arch, or a number of other options. Select the Illustrator warp effect of your choice.
  5. Go to the Window Menu on the top horizontal toolbar. Scroll down and click on the word "Appearance." The Appearance Panel will appear on the right and lists the warp effect that you just produced.
  6. Select other warp effects. They will appear on the Appearance panel. You can delete a warp by clicking on it in the Appearance Panel and clicking on the small trash can on the bottom right of the panel.
  7. Change your warp effect by double clicking on the effect as listed on the Appearance Panel. You should see a dialogue box that lists your warp options. Change the warp and click "Preview" to ensure you have done what you wanted to do.
  8. Save your document immediately after you have found the right Illustrator warp effects for your object. You can still change it using the Appearance Panel.



Tips

  • In other versions of Illustrator, you can warp objects by hand using the "Free Transform" tool. Select your object. Type "Command" and the letter "t" if you are using an Apple computer, and type "Control" and the letter "t" if you are using a Windows operating system (OS). Right click on the object and select "Warp." A grid will pop up. Use your mouse to drag and warp the image with your mouse.
  • In another version of Illustrator there is a Warp tool to the left of the Free Transform tool. The Warp Tool here is used to create effects that are referred to as "distortions" in other versions. The Free Transform Tool looks like an outlined rectangle with a cursor in the lower left hand corner. Click on the object and then click on the Warp tool to warp the object using the pre-set warp functions, such as the "Twirl" or "Pucker."

Things You'll Need

  • Illustrator application
  • Object
  • Mouse
  • Keyboard

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Sources and Citations

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