Live Drawing & Patterns

Live Symmetry

First Technique (For individual Objects/Shapes)

• Create a shape and group it;
• Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform;
• In the dialog box, select "Reflect on X-axis" and set Copies to 1;
• Enter isolation mode by double-clicking the object to modify or add shapes, and changes will reflect symmetrically;
• Once done, you can expand the appearance through Object > Expand Appearance to modify shapes independently or leave it grouped for further edits.

Second Technique (Using Line Segments)

• Use the Line Segment Tool to create a horizontal line, ensuring it's centered on the canvas;
• Align the line horizontally and vertically to the center using the Properties panel;
• Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform and select "Reflect on X-axis" with Copies set to 1;
• The line acts as a guide for symmetry, reflecting any drawings on one side of the line to the opposite side;
• Hide the line and begin drawing; symmetry will automatically reflect across the line;
• Add a guide layer for precise positioning by drawing another line and locking it as a reference;
• This technique is more flexible for complex illustrations or any detailed designs.

Patterns

• Patterns are saved in the Swatches Panel, where they can be treated like colors;
• To find more patterns, go to Swatches Library Menu and select various presets;
• To make a pattern, group your objects, then go to Object > Pattern > Make;
• Adjust the pattern settings to customize your design;
• You can name the pattern, adjust the tile type (e.g., Grid, Brick by Row/Column), and control the horizontal and vertical spacing between pattern tiles;
• Overlap options allow pattern tiles to overlap, and you can dim copies of the pattern for better visualization while editing;
• Adjust spacing and overlap until satisfied; once done, click Done, and the pattern is saved in the Swatches Panel;
• You can then apply the pattern to shapes by filling them with the pattern;
• If you ever wanted to access the pattern options, go to Window > Pattern Options, or simply double click on the pattern swatch;
• When moving a shape with a pattern, it appears as if the pattern stays fixed; to change this, go to Edit > Preferences > General and check "Transform Pattern Tiles";
• To scale or modify the pattern without affecting the shape, go to Object > Transform > Scale and uncheck Transform Objects while checking Transform Patterns;
• To move the pattern inside a shape, go to Object > Transform > Move and uncheck Transform Objects; then adjust the pattern's position;
• Similar options exist for rotating or modifying patterns independently of the shape;
• Patterns can also be applied to strokes;
• You can create, scale, move, and rotate patterns both in fills and strokes, giving flexibility in designing detailed and customized patterns.