askvity

How to Curve a Blend in Illustrator

Published in Illustrator Blend 3 mins read

To curve a blend in Illustrator and make it follow a specific path, you need to use the Replace Spine function after creating both the initial blend and the desired curve.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Steps to Curve Your Blend

Making your blend follow a curve is straightforward once you have your elements ready.

  1. Create Your Initial Blend: Start by creating a standard blend between two or more objects. Select the objects, go to Object > Blend > Make. Adjust the blend options (Object > Blend > Blend Options) as needed (e.g., Smooth Color, Specified Steps, Specified Distance).
  2. Create a Path for the Blend to Follow: Draw the curved path that you want your blend to follow. This could be done using the Pen Tool ( P ). This path will act as the "spine" for your blend. Ensure this path is a single, open or closed path.
  3. Select Both the Blend and the Path: Using the Selection Tool (V), select the blend object you created in step 1 and the curved path you drew in step 2.
  4. Replace Spine: With the blend and the path selected, go to Object > Blend > Replace Spine.

This action will take the blend and make it follow the curved path you drew.

Understanding the 'Replace Spine' Function

The 'Replace Spine' command is key to making your blend curve. As the name suggests, it replaces the straight default "spine" connecting the original objects of the blend with the path you have selected.

Key Outcome: This will make the blend follow the curved path while keeping the lines straight between the corresponding steps of the blend along the curve. The objects in the blend will orient themselves perpendicular to the path by default, although you can change this in the Blend Options (Align to Path vs. Align to Page).

By using a custom path as the spine, you gain precise control over the shape and direction of your blend, allowing for organic curves or complex patterns.

Practical Tips

  • Ensure the path you draw is a single, continuous path. Compound paths or grouped paths won't work directly as a spine.
  • You can edit the curved path after applying Replace Spine. The blend will dynamically update to follow the modified path.
  • To revert the blend back to its original straight spine, select the blend and go to Object > Blend > Release. This will separate the blend from the path and restore the original blend objects.

Related Articles