To make a brush line (or brush stroke) in Adobe Illustrator, you apply a brush to an existing path. The process involves selecting a path and then choosing or applying a desired brush.
Applying a Brush to a Path
Creating a brush line fundamentally means assigning a brush's appearance properties to a vector path you have drawn. Here are the common methods based on standard Illustrator workflows:
Method 1: Select Path, Then Pick a Brush
This is perhaps the most standard way to apply a brush to a path.
- Draw or Select a Path: First, you need a path. You can create one using tools like the Pen Tool (P), Pencil Tool (N), Line Segment Tool (\), or any shape tool. You can also select an existing path.
- Select the Path: Use the Selection Tool (V) or Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the path you want to turn into a brush line.
- Pick a Brush: With the path selected, choose a brush from one of these locations:
- Brushes Panel: Open the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes). Click on any brush thumbnail in the panel.
- Brush Libraries: The Brushes panel menu (or the bottom left of the panel) allows you to open Brush Libraries (e.g., Artistic, Bristle, Decorative). Select a brush from an opened library panel.
- Control Panel or Properties Panel: With the path selected, the Control panel (usually at the top) or the Properties panel (Window > Properties) will often show a brush dropdown menu or thumbnail. Click on it and select a brush from the options presented.
As stated in one reference, you "Select the path, then pick a brush in the brush panel, library, or the Control panel." The path will instantly update to display the chosen brush stroke.
Method 2: Drag a Brush onto the Path
An alternative, more visual method, involves dragging the brush directly.
- Draw or Select a Path: Just like in Method 1, ensure you have a path ready.
- Open the Brushes Panel: Navigate to Window > Brushes.
- Drag the Brush: Click and hold down on a brush thumbnail within the Brushes panel.
- Drop onto the Path: "Drag a brush on top of the path." Release the mouse button when your cursor is directly over the path you want to modify.
The selected brush will be applied to the path you dragged it onto.
Understanding Brush Lines in Illustrator
- Paths are Fundamental: Brush strokes are appearances applied to vector paths. The path itself is the underlying structure, defining the shape and direction of the line.
- Dynamic Appearance: Applying a brush changes the visual appearance of the path, giving it textures, varied widths, or decorative elements depending on the brush type (Calligraphic, Scatter, Art, Pattern, Bristle).
- Editing: You can change the brush applied to a selected path at any time by simply selecting a different brush from the panels. You can also edit the path itself (using the Direct Selection Tool) and the brush stroke will dynamically adjust to the new shape.
In summary, creating a brush line in Illustrator involves drawing or selecting a path and then applying a brush to it using either the 'select then pick' method or by dragging the brush directly onto the path.
