Beginner help tracing text

[Zenchuck]

Hi all,

I have sketched and scanned some custom text and would now like to make a vector drawing in illustrator. Two problems.

1. When I hold Ctrl-left mouse over a point the entire line moves instead of the selected point. How can I move just one point?

2. I would like the letters to share equal line width. For example, I would like the width of the "I" to match the width of the stem of the "T". I know I could set up guidelines but is there a method of drawing 2 lines simultaneously with an set distance apart?

Thankyou

Zenchuck

[Scott Weichert]

Hi Zenchuck.

#1) Use the Direct Selection Tool (the white arrow)

#2) No, sorry. You'll have to draw 1 set then either copy and move another set, or measure 2 separate sets of paths.

[Zenchuck]

Thanks Scott,

Next question.

If I come back to a line how can I continue adding points from the end?


Zenchuck

[TORCH511]

Use the pen too, when you are over an existing path a small plus will appear next to the icon signifying the tool has changed to the Add Anchor Point tool (you can also select that tool from the pen tool tear off) and you can add anchor points as necessary.

[Zenchuck]

Thanks, but that only works adding to the middle of a line. I figured it out though, you have to click the end of a line first to continue drawing with it.

This forum is fast.

Zenchuck

[Zenchuck]

Hi again,

I would like to snap a new line to an existing one. I have snap to point on but unsure how to use it.

Zenchuck

[Scott Weichert]

If you hover over an existing end point with the pen tool you'll get a small / symbol in the cursor, this symbol means it will connect to that anchor point.

[micke]

what do you do then, Scott?

Click and continue drawing?

[Scott Weichert]

Yup. The first click with the / will connect to that anchor point, you can then continue drawing the same path.