FILTERiT 5: Roughening Tool

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From sample file tool_roughening_01.ai

The Roughening Tool creates irregular edges along any path that falls within its target area. A series of random values is generated and applied to the path to create new anchor points and path segments. You can choose to create corner points for jagged edges or smooth anchor points for rounded edges. With the Trace option, you can also elect to have the Roughening Tool create a series of new objects that represent the intermediary roughening steps.

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

With one or more objects selected on the Artboard, drag the Roughening Tool to apply it. Dragging horizontally in either direction increases the number of anchor points (and path segments) added to the path(s). Dragging vertically in either direction increases the length (amplitude) of the new segments. Dragging at any other angle increases both the number of new segments and their length.

While dragging, you can press the Shift key to generate a new set of random values, which will generate different anchor points along the selected path(s).

Area Radius
The target area for the Roughening Tool is specified by the Area Radius, which is in the unit of measure specified in Illustrator's Preferences. You can use the up and down arrows or enter a value directly in the field to change the size of the target area. You can also hold down the Alt key and then drag the Roughening Tool to change the target area. Remember that the tool is active while resizing, so it's best to alt-drag either in an empty area of the Artboard or with no objects selected.

Trace
The Trace option allows the Roughening Tool to create copies of the selected object as it is roughened. By default, the copies (which will be not grouped with the original object) represent various stages in the roughening. The Roughening Tool offers several Trace options.

Uniform will create the specified number of duplicate objects evenly, with uniform roughening from the original to the final copy. Accelerate increases the amount of roughening from copy to copy for the later copies (those created last and higher in the stacking order). Decelerate decreases the change between copies higher in the stacking order.

When the Round Trip version of each option is selected, the Roughening Tool creates two sets of copies. One set is roughened to the maximum amount (determined by the extent of the drag), and a second set is created that is roughened from that extreme back to the original shape in the appropriate number of steps.

Steps
Steps allows you to specify the number of copies created by the Trace option. Remember that the Round Trip option for Uniform, Accelerate, and Decelerate will double the number of copies produced.

Note: If multiple objects are selected on the Artboard, they will be grouped and duplicated when Trace is selected. This occurs even if only one of the selected objects falls within the Roughening Tool's target area.

New Sequence
When New Sequence is selected, each of the copies produced with the Trace options will have a different set of random numbers generated. When New Sequence is not selected, the Roughening Tool will calculate the intermediary copies based on the numbers generated for the most roughened copy.

Tip: The Roughening 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.