Live Border allows you to apply a bevel to selected objects. The selected object must have both a fill and a stroke. The border will be one-half the stroke width. The border can be applied either outside or inside the object's path. Live Border also allows you to apply shading to the bevel in the form of a shadow.
Original object can be edited, and the effect will automatically update.
This effect is compatible with Illustrator’s “Action.”Example:
From sample file live_border_01.ai
- Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
- Select “Illustrator > Window > FILTERiT5 > Live Border” menu. “FILTERiT5: Live Border” panel will open.
- Type “FILTERiT5” and create text object on the document’s artboard. Set font style to Bold, font size as 72 pt, Fill Color to White, and Stroke Weight to 6 pt.
The width of Border is specified by Stroke Weight of Object. The gradient is done by Stroke Color and Fill Color of Object.
- Select the text object.
- From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
- Click “Apply” button on the panel.
- Change text object on the artboard.
- Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.
Setting items:
Gradient Arc
The Gradient Arc determines the rate of blending between the fill and stroke colors. The three preset buttons and the slider allow you to customize the bevel's blend. The center button (0%) blends the two colors evenly. The button to the left (-100%) emphasizes the stroke color, while the button to the right (100%) emphasizes the fill color.Reverse
The Reverse option alters only the border area. When it is unchecked, the gradient blend flows from the fill color outward to the stroke color. When the Reverse option is selected, the fill color remains unchanged, but in the border area the blend flows outward from the stroke color back to the fill color. In other words, the reversed blend has the fill color at both the very outer edge and in the center, with the stroke color between.Auto Stroke Styling [Recommended]
Use 'Cap: Round' 'Corner: Round Joint' as the style of the Stroke. Due to the nature of this effect, selecting this checkbox is recommended.Auto Steps and Manual Steps
Live Border allows you to specify the number of steps in the border's blend by selecting Manual Steps. You can also allow Live Border to determine the blending rate by choosing low, medium, or high Auto Steps.Tip: The number of intermediary objects generated with the steps settings determines not only the smoothness of the blend, but also the complexity of the resulting gradient. Auto Steps (High) can generate one hundred or more intermediary steps, resulting in a very complex gradient.
Offset
Offsetting the border will appear to shift the center of the object. The Offset percentage is in relationship to the width of the border; Angle determines the direction.Shadow
The Shadow option is used to create lighting effects on the border. You can choose the darkness of the shadow (Tint), the distance measured in the units specified in the preferences (Offset, from 0 to 4000 points or the equivalent), and the direction in which the shadow will fall (Light Angle).Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Border 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 Border settings as you make changes.Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the intermediary steps created by Live Border. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Live Border 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.’