using twirl on rows of characters

[dwayne]

I have 6 rows of characters and each row is 20 characters in length:

10100101110101001010
00001100100100001100
etc..

I first created each character individually and copied them and moved them into the basic alignment. I then tried to use the align pallete to distribute and align them accurately, but had some trouble. The first problem is I can't get the alignment right. I just want to evenly space the characters and rows apart.

Then I tried to convert to outlines, group them and use the twirl tool. This didn't work at all.

I want to create twirl effect, but not distort the characters. The numbers begin to twirl from the inside and create outer bands on the outside. Just like the twirl tool does, but not distort the characters. Is there another way to do this?

Lastly, I want to apply a radial gradient so the outer bands goes to transparent or white.

Any help is appreciated.
Thank you.

[micke]

Dwayne, I've read your question several times but can't really picture what you're going for. Can you post a thumbnail or rough sketch?

It's nice to see someone actually posting on IT.

MickE

[dwayne]

Hi MickE,

Thanks for replying to my post. I've attached a graphic that just gives the basic idea of what I'm trying to go for.

Instead of the lines, it would be a binary string of characters twirling outwards. Not so many bands though. It would only need to be a few bands. The outer bands would fade out to transparent.

Does this help explain?

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

Regards,
-dwayne

[nutella]

1. I'd use the Spiral tool to draw out a single spiral.
2. Then use the "Type on a Path" tool and type the characters on the spiral.
3. After that just use the Rotate tool to rotate and create as many copies as needed. You can select individual segments and retype the characters if needed so they won't be the same.
4. Use the original single spiral shape, and create a blend from black to white. Place circles at 2-3 points of the spiral. Note, that in step #4 there's a white circle at the top-right end of the spiral, but naturally it's not visible.
5. Select the circles ONLY (don't include the spiral) and create a blend. Now select the blend AND the spiral line segment and replace the spine of the blend (Object > Blend > Replace Spine).
6. Rotate it the same way as you did with the characters.
7. Align the character spiral (#3) and the blend spiral (#6) and use the blend spiral as the transparency mask for the character spiral.

(You can adjust the transparency FX (how fast/slow it fades out) by adjusting the blended colors. Such as how close/far the gray circle is in step #4 from the end white circle and how light/dark the value of the gray is.)


http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/pentool/twirl-1.gif

[TORCH511]

I was confused with the original post as well.

Nutella, that is an excellent explination. And I understand why you did the blends along the spiral, however for simplicity, couldn't you just encompass the opacity mask in a circle that had a gradient applied? The effect would be very similar (your gradients follow the letters better) but using one large circle keeps it simple and it's easier to do (not that a blend is all that difficult.

You could also make the gradient blend and apply as the opacity mask and repeat everything together, the text would still be editable.

[goren]

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