In a Pickle

[mesheau]

Here's my dilemma,

We've received a municipal contract do re-do existing tourist directional signage, its a basic shape, rectangle arrow with a curve at the top. Seemed pretty simple when they first appeared in the shop.

However, what I have to do is re-create the sign blank in Illustrator. I've been doing ok so far, although the curve along the top is giving me grief.

So far I've tried numerous measuring attempts, and also scanned it into illustrator.

Can someone else give me some options, I would really hate to have to contact the previous sign company for the files.

Cheers
Graeme

 

[Rick]

How good are you at using Illustrator?
How close does it really have to be?

You should be able to hit it within 1/16" with no problem

 

[The Vector Doctor]

look at it as geometric shapes. You can often weld together rectangles and ovals/circles to give you the look you want.

Or you can send it to me, I do these all the time

 

[mesheau]

I'm getting closer, right now its trial and error. The curve at the top is not symmetrical, which is why I resorted to scanning, this seems to be the best option for me right now.

Also the arrow is off too, seems to be longer on the top side.

 

[J Hill Designs]

maybe a snapshot of it will help us guide you?

 

[mesheau]

look at it as geometric shapes. You can often weld together rectangles and ovals/circles to give you the look you want.

Or you can send it to me, I do these all the time

I know Welding from Flexi, but would it be Object>Path>Join in illustrator?

I'm pretty good at Illustrator, I scanned the top of the curve, Live traced and expanded and seems to be a pretty good path so far.

 

[KetchikanSignpro]

one method i use frequently is i take a profile photo of the object then import and scale then trace over with a polyarc...

 

[Splescia82]

The Pen Tool is the most precise. It takes some getting used to, but it's worth it in the end.

 

[SignManiac]

Yep welding shapes and a few node edits. Easy stuff really, I just had to reproduce a pair of ass cheeks for a logo. Took about ten minutes for a really clean version.

 

[tanneji]

Yep welding shapes and a few node edits. Easy stuff really, I just had to reproduce a pair of ass cheeks for a logo. Took about ten minutes for a really clean version.

So you wiped really well then? haha i'm sorry i had to

 

[jfiscus]

yeah, a picture would help us understand your problem.
to keep the curves symetric I would use the effects>stylize>round corners on the triangle/square shape you're describing then combine them into one object.

 

[signmeup]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can "weld" in Illustrator. Semantics, I know....but you might confuse the poster.

 

[The Vector Doctor]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can "weld" in Illustrator. Semantics, I know....but you might confuse the poster.

the term weld is not in the illustrator menu, it is called "add to shape area"

 

[signmeup]

There you go. Thanks Eric.
In CS4 you have to got to Window-Pathfinder-Unite