FILTERiT 5: Broom Tool

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From sample file tool_broom_01.ai

Dragging the Broom Tool on the Artboard will move or duplicate (when the Trace option is active) selected objects within the target area, which is identified by a circle. Objects at the edges of the target area do not move as far as those in the center. The Broom Tool is designed primarily for use on numerous small objects. You have four types of brooms from which to choose.

Free Sweep
Objects will be moved or duplicated along a path defined by dragging the Broom Tool.

Dynamic Sweep
Like Free Sweep, objects will be moved or duplicated along the cursor's path, but only for a distance approximately equal to 2 to 3 times the Area Radius.

Pinch Sweep
When dragged upward, selected objects within the target area move away from the target area's center. When dragged downward, the objects move closer to the center.

Twirl Sweep
The Broom Tool can be dragged either clockwise or counter-clockwise around the target area's center point. Selected objects within the target area will be moved or duplicated around the center point.

Note: To use the Broom Tool with text, the type must first be converted to outlines.

Resistance
This level, which ranges from 1 to 5, determines how large a difference there will be between the center and edges of the target area. The higher the number, the less that selected objects at the edges will move.

Group as One Unit
This option works only with grouped objects. When checked, the Broom Tool will treat the group as a single object. When unchecked, each of the objects in the group will be moved or copied individually. Whether the box is checked or not, duplicate objects produced by the Broom Tool will be grouped like the original objects.

Area Radius
The target area size is determined by the Area Radius. You can change the size of the target area by clicking the up and down arrows, entering a number directly in the field, or by Alt-dragging on the Artboard.

Trace
When checked, Trace allows the Broom Tool to duplicate the selected objects within the target area. When unchecked, the Broom Tool will only move the selected objects. When Drag Along is selected, duplicate objects will be created at a specified distance, in the unit of measure specified in the Preferences, spread uniformly along the Broom Tool's path. When using the Twirl Sweep option, the distance is measured in degrees. Uniform will space the specified number of duplicate objects evenly. Accelerate spaces the duplicate objects farther apart at the end of the drag, while Decelerate spaces them closer together at the end of the drag. The One Way option for Uniform, Accelerate, and Decelerate allows the Broom Tool to produce duplicate objects from the original objects to the point where the mouse button is released. When the Round Trip option is selected, another set of copies will extend from the point where the mouse button was released back to the original. This, in effect, produces two sets of copies: one from the original to the farthest point, and another from the farthest point back to the original. The Dynamic Sweep setting for the Broom Tool supports only the Drag Along option.

Tip: The Broom Tool's Trace option, which produces duplicates of the selected objects, can be used in conjunction with Illustrator's transparency capability to produce motion blur effects.