Fractalize Effect subdivides segment of the selected object (path or text or its group) and replaces with specified Instance from Generator (graphical primitive). Replacement repeats depending on the number of Levels.
Original object can be edited, and the effect will automatically update.
Illustrator’s “Expand Appearance” and “Blend” commands can be used.
It can be added to Illustrator’s “Graphic Styles” panel.
NOTE: This effect applies after specified setting on Fill and Stroke. Please check the order of applied entry from Illustrator’s 'Appearance' panel.
TIP: By controlling Illustrator’s 'Appearance' panel, the effect can only be applied to object’s 'Fill' and 'Stroke.’ It also can add to Illustrator’s 'Graphic Styles' panel.Example:
From sample file effect_fractalize_01.ai
- Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
- Create a rectangle on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Rectangle Tool” and draw it. Set Width to 144pt (2 in), Height to 72pt (1 in), Fill Color to White, Stroke Color to Black, and Stroke Weight to 1pt.
- Select the rectangle.
- Select “Illustrator > Effect > FILTERiT5 > Fractalize...” menu. “FILTERiT5: Fractalize Effect” panel will open.
- From the Pop-up menu (located on the lower left of window), select “Default Settings.”
- On “Generator” option, select “Equilateral Triangle3” and check “Flip Across” option.
- Set “Max. Count per Inch” to 1.
- Set “Level” to 3.
- Try changing the value of “Level” and “Max. Count per Inch.”
- Once you configure settings, click “OK” and close the window.
- Try changing the shape of Effect object on the artboard.
- Open Illustrator’s “Appearance” panel.
- Select Effect object and click entry from “FILTERiT5: Fractalize…” on “Appearance” panel. During setting up the selected object, “FILTERiT5: Fractalize Effect” dialog window will open.
- Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.
Setting items:
Generator
The shape of the added path segments is selected from the Generator pop-up menu. Each icon in the menu indicates the shape of the generator.
By checking “Flip Horizontal” and “Flip Vertical” options, horizontal and vertical directions of Generator instance will be reversed.At a constant size
If this option is selected, the length of subdivided segment for the replacement will be the inverse number of “Max. Count per Inch” input value (1 inch(= 72 pt)÷ input value). If there is excessive segment due to subdivision or segment is smaller than subdivided size, the segment will not be replaced by Generator instance.Level
When Levels is set to a number higher than 1, Fractalize will be applied multiple times with the same settings. (Increasing the number of levels is the same as setting Levels to 1 and running Fractalize multiple times.)Max. Count per Inch
Depending on whether “At a constant size” option is selected or not, the result may vary as explained below. In these examples, “A” is the subdivide unit quantity for the length of path (1 inch(= 72 pt)÷ input value)
If “At a constant size” option is selected:
The each segment is divided by “A” value, and the results are replaced with the generator instances. Any remaining that can not be divided; it remains as the shape of the original path. Also, any segment less than “A” remains as it is.
If “At a constant size” option is not selected:
The each segment is divided equally by “segment length ÷ A” value and then the results are replaced with the generator instances. In this case, any initial segment less than “A” will also be replaced.NOTE: Anchor point for the original path’s segment remains the same.
NOTE: If the number of maximum segment per single path exceeds 32,000 (Illustrator’s specification), all replacement will be canceled. In that case, try to decrease the value for “Level” or “Max. Count per Inch”.
Height
The height of each generator instance is calculated as a percentage of the distance between the base points.Skip Size
The half of target segment length will be skipped (create space) by this value. Higher value creates less area for Generator instance. For example, if the value is 100%, the segment will have equal space for the area of Generator instance and this skip space.Shift Size per Skip
Specifies how much shift (displace) per “Skip Size” will be created for the replacement position. The shift will be along the path. This option is valid if “Skip Size” is bigger than zero.Distortion
Randomly moves anchor points before the replacement. The input value will be relative length based on the value in “Max. Count per Inch”. If “Act on Generator Instances” is selected, replaced generator instances will be distorted.New Sequence
New Sequence generates a new set of variables for Distortion. If Distortion is set to 0, it has no effect.Preview
Check this box to see the result of the effect prior to its application. The artboard is automatically updated as you change values. When the effect is applied to extremely complex paths, you may want to uncheck Preview until you've entered your target values.Cancel/OK
The cancel button terminates the effect dialog box without changing the selected object; the OK button applies the effect with the selected settings.Pop-up menu
In the lower-left corner of the Fractalize dialog box is a triangle that gives access to the pop-up menu.
You can reset the window 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.’