FILTERiT 5: Live Generation

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Live Generation produces copies of the original object or objects in a continuous string. By default, the copies are produced along a spiral and decrease in size. You can, however, adjust the settings within Live Generation to produce copies that increase in size and you can vary the path along which they are created. Remember that Live Generation does not scale the original object's stroke.

Original object can be edited, and the effect will automatically update.
This effect is compatible with Illustrator’s “Action.”

Example:

From sample file live_generation_01.ai
  1. Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
  2. Select “Illustrator > Window > FILTERiT5 > Live Generation” menu. “FILTERiT5: Live Generation” panel will open.
  3. Create an Ellipse on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Ellipse Tool” and draw an ellipse with Width as 50 pt, Height as 20 pt. Set the Fill Color to White, the Stroke Color to Black, and the Stroke Weight to 1 pt.
  4. Select the Ellipse.
  5. From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
  6. Click “Apply” button on the panel.
  7. Change the Size, Fill, and Stroke on the Ellipse.
  8. Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.

Setting items:

Total
The value entered in Total regulates the number of copies produced. The number of objects can range from 2 (the original plus one copy) to 1000.

Relative Space
The Relative Space option maintains a distance between copies based on a percentage of the copies' sizes. The distance between copies will be adjusted if the size of the original object is changed. Remember that Relative Size takes into account the width of the original object's stroke.

Absolute Space
The Absolute Space option determines the distance between copies in the document's unit of measure. You input the spacing desired between the original object and the first copy. Live Generation will calculate the appropriate distance for the copies of various sizes. Changes to the original object do not affect the distance between copies when Absolute Space is selected.

Recurrent Rate
The percentage entered in Recurrent Rate determines both the size and distance of the copies. Each copy is reduced and offset from the preceding copy by the amount input. Negative numbers from -1 to -99 will produce copies that are smaller than the original. Negative numbers beyond -100 produce larger copies, with an alternating offset pattern. (Because the objects are stacked, unstroked objects may not be apparent on the Artboard unless expanded.) The Recurrent Rate can range from -1000 to 1000 percent.

Angle
The initial direction of the path created by Live Generation is determined by the Angle value. It can be changed by using the up and down arrow, by entering a value in the Angle field, by using preset values from the pop-up menu, or by dragging the indicator in the Angle dial.

Angle Increase
The Angle Increase determines the course of the path along which the copies are placed. Each additional copy will be added to the path at the angle specified. When the angle is set to a value other than 0 degrees, the result is a spiral-like progression. Higher values produce tighter spirals. The value can ranges from -3600 degrees to 3600 degrees.

Stacking
Stacking determines whether copies will be placed above or below the original object on the Artboard. Stacking is cumulative - each copy will follow the pattern, being placed above or below all previous copies.

Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Generation 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 Generation settings as you make changes.

Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the copies created by Live Generation. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Live Generation 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.’