Live Cutout adds depth to a selected object. The result gives the appearance of an object that has been cut from paper and pasted onto the Artboard. Live Cutout creates a series of tinted objects, offset behind the original.
Original object can be edited, and the effect will automatically update.
This effect is compatible with Illustrator’s “Action.”Example:
From sample file live_cutout_01.ai
- Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
- Select “Illustrator > Window > FILTERiT5 > Live Cutout” menu. “FILTERiT5: Live Cutout” panel will open.
- Create a rectangle on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Rectangle Tool” and draw a rectangle with Width as 600 pt, Height as 300 pt. Set the Fill Color to White and Stroke to none. Additionally, lock it.
- Type “FILTERiT5” and put text object in the middle of the rectangle. Set font style to Bold, font size as 72 pt, Fill Color to White, and Stroke to none.
- Select the text object.
- From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
- Click “Apply” button on the panel.
- Try to move “Light Angle” slider.
- Change text object on the artboard.
- Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.
Setting items:
Shade
Shade, measured in percent, determines the darkness of the rear-most object. Intermediary objects are shaded to create a blend between the rear-most object and the original object.Offset
Offset determines the size of the cutout effect, measured in the unit of measure specified in the Preferences, from the original object to the rear-most object.Light Angle
The direction of the Live Cutout effect is determined by the Light Angle setting.Steps
Steps allows you to assign the number of intermediary objects created. The higher the number, the more objects created and the smoother the blend between the original object and the rear-most object. Often, a lower number will produce a more realistic cutout look.Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Cutout 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 Cutout settings as you make changes.Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the intermediary steps created by Live Cutout. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Live Cutout 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.’