To create an offset path from an existing open path in Adobe Illustrator, particularly using the Astute Graphics (AG) Offset Tool plugin, you follow a specific process focused on utilizing the tool's capabilities with your initial open shape.
While Illustrator's standard "Offset Path" effect typically works best with closed paths or creates closed paths from open ones, the AG Offset Tool offers different functionality that is well-suited for working with and offsetting open paths, effectively "opening" the possibilities for this type of artwork.
Creating an Offset from an Open Path Using the AG Offset Tool
The reference provided describes a straightforward method for generating an offset from an already drawn open path using the AG Offset Tool, a feature found within the Astute Graphics collection of plugins. This tool allows you to interactively drag out the offset directly from your selected path.
Here are the steps involved:
- Draw Your Open Path: Start by creating the initial open path in your Illustrator document. This could be a simple line, a curve, or any path that doesn't form a complete loop.
- Select the Path: Ensure the open path you just drew is selected using the Selection Tool (V).
- Access the AG Offset Tool: Navigate to your Illustrator toolbar. The AG Offset Tool is usually found grouped with other Astute Graphics tools. According to the reference, in the advanced toolbar, it is stacked under the Stylism tool. You might need to click and hold the Stylism tool icon to reveal the nested tools and select the AG Offset Tool.
- Drag to Create Offset: With the AG Offset Tool active and your open path selected, click and drag your cursor away from the path. As you drag, you will see the offset path being generated interactively. Keep the cursor held down and drag until you achieve the desired offset distance and appearance.
This method directly uses an open path as the source to generate a new offset path, providing an intuitive way to add parallel shapes to your initial line art.
Understanding the Tool
It's important to note that the AG Offset Tool is part of a third-party plugin suite from Astute Graphics, not a native Adobe Illustrator tool. Its functionality extends Illustrator's built-in capabilities, offering more dynamic and interactive ways to create offsets, especially with open paths.
Using this tool with an open path allows you to:
- Quickly visualize the offset as you drag.
- Create offsets that follow the contours of the original open path.
- Generate complex parallel lines easily.
Alternative Considerations
While the AG Offset Tool is excellent for interactively offsetting open paths, Adobe Illustrator's native Object > Path > Offset Path effect typically produces closed shapes when applied to open paths. If your goal is to create a closed shape around an open path or use the native effect, the result will differ from the interactive method described above using the AG tool. The AG Offset Tool, as per the reference, is specifically designed for creating offsets from an open path while often maintaining the open nature of the resulting offset(s), depending on settings and usage.
By following the steps outlined using the AG Offset Tool, you can efficiently create and visualize offsets directly from your open paths in Illustrator.
