thanks for this small tip, I wonder why Illustrator doesn't have a tool to directly cut the end of a stroke in the way we want to, rather than first convert it into a shape. The pathfinder and shipbuilder are interesting tools to cut a shape, I'd have probably used the knife to do so.
I am so glad you enjoyed this video. As you say, there are lots of tools to use, it's just a pity that there isn't a feature to adjust the end of a stroke without compromising by having to make it a filled shape.
I have never needed to do that, but one day I will need it. Thanks. By the way, I took one of your repeating pattern courses on SkillShare and got a lot out of it. I am going to take the course on shading techniques one of these days soon.
Yeah, that is an issue with gradient lines unfortunately. You can expand the line again a second time to expand the gradient into multiple single colour shapes but this is confusing. And then you can only then cut the line at one particular angle based on the gradient unless you mess around with the clipping mask itself and edit it. It can be done but it's not that pretty. I think I will make a video on it anyway because it is interesting to say the least! Subscribe so you will see it when it gets released. Hmmm another option is to make your line as a plain line, cut it and then fill the left over bit with a gradient.
Wow thank you so much for this feedback! I've found your videos so helpful as I've started my internship as an illustrator. These are some great tips and I really appreciate you taking the time to help out!
You’re right! It can’t be done easily this way. You could look at putting the line inside a rectangle that has no fill and no stroke on it and using the draw inside feature to “cut off“ the end in a vertical line. I haven’t tried this but that’s probably where I’d go next.
How do you finish the ends of a diagonal line that's 18pt. thick from corner to corner of a square, the line either extends past the corner or it's not long enough inside and leaves a blank area in the corners. I searched everywhere for a solution and found nothing, hoping you could help. Thanks Helen!!
OMG, this was such a cool question! Yeah, I love a challenge. So, it can be done and it's really interesting. You make a custom arrowhead for the line. I'll make a video to show you how because it's a wee bit tricky, but basically I'll be acknowledging and using the solution I found here: graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/77481/how-to-create-custom-arrowheads-in-illustrator-properly The tricky bit is making the tip fit to the line properly!
If there was ONE thing I wish adobe would do, it is to make it easy to shape the end of a line!
I know huh!
you are such a good teacher, Helen. you've demystified so man things for me. Thanks a million
Kristin that makes me so happy to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Muchas gracias Ms. Helen, y que tengas una Feliz Navidad!!! 🎅
Muchas gracias. Les deseo una feliz navidad y un exitoso año nuevo también.
thanks for this small tip, I wonder why Illustrator doesn't have a tool to directly cut the end of a stroke in the way we want to, rather than first convert it into a shape. The pathfinder and shipbuilder are interesting tools to cut a shape, I'd have probably used the knife to do so.
I am so glad you enjoyed this video. As you say, there are lots of tools to use, it's just a pity that there isn't a feature to adjust the end of a stroke without compromising by having to make it a filled shape.
I have never needed to do that, but one day I will need it. Thanks.
By the way, I took one of your repeating pattern courses on SkillShare and got a lot out of it. I am going to take the course on shading techniques one of these days soon.
That sounds great Olivia. I hope you enjoy the shading techniques class. There is some really fun and interesting stuff in that class.
thank you mam
My pleasure
I am struggling to do this when I have an expanded shape that was a gradient line, just deletes the whole shape and cutting it doesn't work either.
Yeah, that is an issue with gradient lines unfortunately. You can expand the line again a second time to expand the gradient into multiple single colour shapes but this is confusing. And then you can only then cut the line at one particular angle based on the gradient unless you mess around with the clipping mask itself and edit it. It can be done but it's not that pretty. I think I will make a video on it anyway because it is interesting to say the least! Subscribe so you will see it when it gets released.
Hmmm another option is to make your line as a plain line, cut it and then fill the left over bit with a gradient.
Wow thank you so much for this feedback! I've found your videos so helpful as I've started my internship as an illustrator. These are some great tips and I really appreciate you taking the time to help out!
I am happy to help and I love a challenge! This is a challenge and I have some answers for you which you will enjoy (I hope!).
So, in short, you canno't control ends on cut lines. The problem is I need to have a line, so I could change the thickness of the line afterwards. :(
You’re right! It can’t be done easily this way. You could look at putting the line inside a rectangle that has no fill and no stroke on it and using the draw inside feature to “cut off“ the end in a vertical line. I haven’t tried this but that’s probably where I’d go next.
Hi helen i Love ur video i neen Subs 3 Yrs plz make more Upload ❤️🙏
I am so happy to hear this.
How do you finish the ends of a diagonal line that's 18pt. thick from corner to corner of a square, the line either extends past the corner or it's not long enough inside and leaves a blank area in the corners. I searched everywhere for a solution and found nothing, hoping you could help. Thanks Helen!!
OMG, this was such a cool question! Yeah, I love a challenge.
So, it can be done and it's really interesting. You make a custom arrowhead for the line. I'll make a video to show you how because it's a wee bit tricky, but basically I'll be acknowledging and using the solution I found here: graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/77481/how-to-create-custom-arrowheads-in-illustrator-properly
The tricky bit is making the tip fit to the line properly!
@@HelenBradley Thank you Helen!!