Live Frame creates a rectangle frame using the selected object or objects. Each object created for the frame will be an identical copy of the original, and you can control both spacing and rotation. When multiple objects are selected, they can be grouped to create a single border or left ungrouped to create multiple borders.
The placement of the original object determines the location of the frame. Live Frame will create the frame to the right and up (or up and to the right) of the original. In either case, the original object's location will be at or near the lower left corner of the frame. (The Cycle option, discussed below, reverses the flow of the frame.)
Original object can be edited, and the effect will automatically update.
This effect is compatible with Illustrator’s “Action.”Example:
From sample file live_frame_01.ai
- Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
- Select “Illustrator > Window > FILTERiT5 > Live Frame” menu. “FILTERiT5: Live Frame” panel will open.
- Create a star on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Star Tool” and draw a star with 'Radius 1' as 15 pt, 'Radius 2' as 5 pt. Set the Fill Color to Linear Gradient and Stroke to none.
- Select the star.
- From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
- Click “Apply” button on the panel.
- Change the Shape, Fill color on the star.
- Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.
Setting items:
Side H
The Side Horizontal setting determines how many copies of the original object will be created for the top and bottom sides of the frame. Remember that the copies will each be the same size as the original.Side V
The Side Vertical setting determines how many copies of the original object will be created for the left and right sides of the frame. Remember that the copies will each be the same size as the original.Keep Angle
The Keep Angle option maintains the original's orientation for all copies. When unchecked, all copies will be rotated to point inward.Relative Space
Relative Space places the copies relative to the size of the original object's path. 100% uses the dimensions of the path plus the width of the object's stroke, so that neighboring objects will appear to abut. With Relative Space selected, Live Frame will automatically reposition the copies if the size of the original object is changed. The frame itself will grow or shrink to maintain the desired spacing percentage and the number of copies specified in Side H and Side V.Sides: This setting determines the spacing between the individual elements that make up the four sides of the frame.
Corner: This setting determines the spacing between the sides where they meet in each corner. When the Corner Offset (described below) is set to 0% and Draw Corner is selected (also described below), this setting determines the spacing between the sides and the objects in the corners.Absolute Space
Absolute space specifies the distance between copies in the document's unit of measure. If you change the size of the original object, the frame maintains its size and position, while each of the copies changes in size to match the original.Sides: This setting determines the spacing between the individual elements that make up the four sides of the frame.
Corner: This setting determines the spacing between the sides where they meet in each corner. When the Corner Offset (described below) is set to 0% and Draw Corner is selected (also described below), this setting determines the spacing between the sides and the objects in the corners.Corner Offset
The Corner Offset determines how the sides of the frame will align at the corners. When discussing Corner Offset, it's easiest to think of the four sides of the frame as separate units. Each set of objects (top, bottom, left, and right) can be shifted in relation to the others. The three Corner Offset buttons in the Live Frame palette show the sides as rectangles that represent the objects created to make the frame. (By default, the original object will be the left-most object in the bottom set, but that can be changed with the Cycling option, which is discussed below.)You can change the Corner Offset value by clicking any of the three preset buttons, dragging the slider, or entering a numeric value between -100% and 100% in the box.
When Corner Offset is set to 0% (the middle Corner Offset button), the sides will be equidistant from the corner. The left and right sides will be centered between the top and bottom of the frame; the top and bottom will be centered between the left and right sides of the frame. Note that the frame will be largest with a setting of 0%.
When negative values are entered in Corner Offset, the bottom is shifted to the left, the top is shifted to the right, and the left and right sides move to accommodate them. When an offset of -100% is entered, the bottom and left sides are left-aligned, as shown by the icon of the left-most of the Corner Offset buttons. A value of 100% results in the bottom and right sides being right-aligned, as shown by the right-most Corner Offset button's icon.
Draw at Corner
The Draw at Corner option adds an extra object in each of the four corners. It is only available when the Corner Offset is set to 0%.Cycling
By default, Live Frame uses the counter-clockwise option, but you can elect to have the frame created clockwise. The setting determines in what order objects are drawn, starting from the original object. This not only determines the relationship between adjoining sides of the frame, it establishes the order in which the objects are stacked. Remember that when Relative spacing is set to less than 100% or when Absolute spacing is less than the diameter of the objects, the object can overlap. Changing from counter-clockwise to clockwise cycling will reverse the stacking order.Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Frame is creating a high number of steps. Unchecking this option leaves the selected object unchanged until you click the Apply button. When checked, Live Update will automatically apply the Live Frame settings as you make changes.Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the copies created by Live Frame. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Live Frame effect. The Apply button applies the current settings to selected objects.Panel Menu
The Panel menu is accessed by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
You can reset the panel setting to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’