Xtream Path 2

Introduction:

New features
Migrating and converting object from previous Xtream Path

Tools:

Tools in General
-
Segment Edit tool
Symmetric Edit tool
Numeric Edit tool
Arc Edit tool
Horizontal Straightener tool
Convert-to-Arc tool
Parallelogram Ovalization tool
Semi Ovalization tool
Stretch tool
-
Round Fillet tool
Reverse Round Fillet tool
Oval Fillet tool
Reverse Oval Fillet tool
Chamfer tool
L-Chamfer tool
Intersection tool
-
Multi-Line tool
Multi-Arc tool
Multi-Curve tool
Unlock tool
-
Segment Duplication tool
Parallelization tool
Segment Insertion tool
Segment Angling tool
Segment Resizing tool
Path Insertion tool
Path Angling tool
Path Resizing tool

Live Effects:

Live Effects in General
-
Live Blurred Path
Live Rotate Mirror
Live Wallpaper (Crystalline Pattern)
Show Panel

Effects and Filters:

Effects and Filters in General
-
Blowing Effect
Smart Rounding Effect
Smart Rounding Filter
Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) Filter

Preset:

Preset Menu

Miscellaneous:

Support

 

xtreampath2_features

Xtream Path 2: New features

[ Index ]

 

Live Blurred Path:

Live Blurred Path blurs the edge of the selected object to blend into the background. The position and direction of the blurred area can be controlled from the filled area.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.

> Live Blurred Path

Live Rotate Mirror:

Live Rotate Mirror cuts off specified the area of the selected object and duplicates like mirrored image. It can also include the reflection symmetry based from the rotation axis.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.
“Rotate Mirroring Tool” and “Reflect Mirroring Tool” from the previous version of Xtream Path have been discontinued.

> Live Rotate Mirror

Live Wallpaper (Crystalline Pattern):

The Live Wallpaper fills a designated area with copies of the selected artwork. The Xtream Path 2 panel offers 17 different patterns of wallpaper, based on the International Union of Crystallography (IUC) standards.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.
The unit from a Wallpaper can be transferred to Illustrator’s 'Pattern Editing Mode' and save in the 'Swatches' panel.

> Live Wallpaper (Crystalline Pattern)

Smart Rounding Effect/Filter:

Input increment value can be selected via Spin (stepper) or the up/down arrow key. It enables minute control over the round corner adjustment.

> Smart Rounding Effect

Blowing Effect:

Blowing Effect applies wind blows to the selected object (path or text or its group) and creates the deformation effect. You can express speeding, melting, and shaving with this effect.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.

> Blowing Effect

Preset Menu:

The settings on Xtream Path 2's Effect/Filter windows and Live effect panels can be saved as a preset with the specified name. A preset can be accessed as the menu item to load the settings quickly and easily.

> Preset Menu

Help Panel:

The view and feature of help panel have significantly changed.

xtreampath2_conversion

Xtream Path 2: Migrating and converting object from previous Xtream Path

[ Index ]

 

The compatibility issue with the object from the previous version may occur on effect object. However, the object created with Xtream Path “Smart Rounding Effect” can migrate as it is. There is no need to convert.

tool_general

Xtream Path 2: Tools in General

[ Index ]

Xtream Path 2 tools are available via selecting an icon on Illustrator’s toolbar (shown below) or selecting an icon from the user-defined custom toolbar.


NOTE: In CC 2019 (version 23) the basic toolbar is also customizable. To additionally display Xtream Path 2 tool (icon) on the basic toolbar or the custom toolbar, please follow the specification of Illustrator CC 2019 version. Xtream Path 2 tool can be handled in the same way as standard tools.

Hidden Tool
Xtream Path 2 contains several tools on hidden panels, like those in Illustrator. To access the tools, click and hold until the panel is shown.

Clicking on any of the Xtream Path 2 tools will open the tool's panel in the Illustrator window. The panel will appear in its last position.

Double-clicking a Xtream Path 2 tool opens its panel in the upper-left corner on the main monitor unless it is fixed in the Illustrator workspace. When the "?" button is clicked, the Help panel will appear, showing the appropriate window for the active tool.

tool_segmentedit

Xtream Path 2: Segment Edit Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

Use the Segment Edit tool to reshape a path segment while maintaining smooth anchor points. As you drag, the selected path segment is reshaped, as well as neighboring path segments connected by smooth anchor points. Adjacent path segments connected by a corner point are not altered when using the Segment Edit tool.

TIP: To edit a smooth path segment without altering neighboring segments, use the Segment Direct Edit tool rather than the Segment Edit tool.

In the Xtream Path 2 panel, you have the option of showing or hiding the direction lines for the path's anchor points. You can hide all direction lines, show only those for the path segment being edited, or show direction lines for all of the path's anchor points. You can also elect to show the path segments direction lines while dragging a path segment. When visible, direction lines can be dragged with the Segment Edit tool.

TIP: Pressing the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) converts the Segment Edit tool to Illustrator's Add Anchor point tool (if over a path segment) or Delete Anchor Point tool (if over an anchor point).

Example:

tool_symmetricedit

Xtream Path 2: Symmetric Edit Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Symmetric Edit tool maintains the symmetry of a path segment while you drag. No matter where you click on the segment or where you drag, the curve remains symmetrical between the anchor points.

TIP: For precise control and moderate reshaping of a curve, click near the middle of the path segment and drag. For more dramatic changes, click near an anchor point and drag.

After reshaping a path segment with the Symmetric Edit tool, you can Shift-click on the segment to convert the nearest anchor point to a smooth point. Doing so will adjust the edited path segment to correspond to the flow of the adjacent path segment.

In the Xtream Path 2 panel, you control the behavior of the tool with a pair of options:

Fixed Length Rate
When selected, this option determines how much change will be applied to a segment with a drag of a specific distance. It is the ratio of the direction line length to the path segment length. The greater the percent, the more a segment is altered as you drag. For substantial changes to large objects, a higher value reduces the distance you'll need to drag.

Fixed Open Angle
This value determines the shape of the curve when you first click on or drag a path segment. The angle refers to the anchor points' direction lines in relation to the path segment after the alteration. The angle can range from 0 degrees (which can convert a circle to a square) to 180 degrees. Entering a specific value and clicking on a path segment gives you precise results. You can also continue to drag a path segment after the initial angle is applied.

TIP: Hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) and click near an existing anchor point to load its values into the Fixed Length Rate and Fixed Open Angle fields.

Using the Fixed Length Rate in conjunction with the Fixed Open Angle option enables you to quickly create precise curves. For example, alternating concave and convex curves can convert a polygon to a gear shape. Click and drag a short distance inward/outward to create concave/convex curves.

The Xtream Path 2 panel also offers the option of showing or hiding the direction lines for the path's anchor points. You can hide all direction lines, show only those for the path segment being edited, or show direction lines for all of the path's anchor points. You can also elect to show the path segments direction lines while dragging a path segment. When visible, direction lines can be dragged with the Symmetric Edit tool.

When positioned over an anchor point or direction line rather than a path segment, the Symmetric Edit tool functions as Illustrator's Direct Selection tool. You can drag anchor points or direction lines to adjust the shape or an object.

In addition, holding down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) converts the Symmetric Edit tool to the Add Anchor Point tool (when over a path segment) or the Delete Anchor Point tool (when over an existing anchor point).

Example:

tool_numericedit

Xtream Path 2: Numeric Edit Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Numeric Edit tool applies the settings of the Xtream Path 2 panel to the path segment on which you click. The anchor point nearest the point clicked is altered. The values you enter into the panel's fields determine the length and angle of the nearest anchor point's direction lines.

You can duplicate another anchor point's direction line using the Numeric Edit tool. Hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) and the Numeric Edit tool becomes an eyedropper. Click on the curve you want to duplicate near the anchor point. That loads the nearest direction line values into the panel. To apply those values to another path segment, simply click on it near the anchor point you want to change.

The Length field determines the length of the direction line. A length of zero deletes the direction line. The Direction field determines the angle of the direction line relative to the artboard, not the path segment. You can change the length or direction of a direction line individually. If either box is unchecked in the Xtream Path 2 panel, the direction line will maintain its original length or direction.

There are several ways to manually change values in the Xtream Path 2 panel for the Numeric Edit tool:
Double-click in either the Length or Direction field and type a number.
Use the up/down arrow buttons to the left of each field to change the existing value.
Click anywhere in the circle below the Direction field.
Drag the line in the circle below the Direction field.
Use the buttons to the right and below the circle to switch to the horizontal or vertical inverse of the current Direction value.

Example:

tool_arcedit

Xtream Path 2: Arc Edit Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

Click on a smooth anchor point with the Arc Edit tool and drag to produce a smooth arc through that anchor point. Hold down the Shift key and drag a smooth anchor point to convert it to a corner point at which two arcs meet. Shift-dragging or Shift-clicking will convert a corner anchor point into a smooth anchor point and create an arc.

You can also click on a smooth point along an arc and reposition the anchor point by dragging with the Arc Edit tool.

TIP: The Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) converts the Arc Edit tool to the Add Anchor Point tool or Delete anchor point tool, depending on whether it's over a path segment (add) or an existing anchor point (delete). Adding and deleting anchor points is a good way to control arcs along complex paths.

In the Xtream Path 2 panel, you have the option of showing or hiding the direction lines for the path's anchor points. You can hide all direction lines, show only those for the path segment being edited, or show direction lines for all of the path's anchor points.

Example1:

 

Example2:

 

Example3:

tool_straightener

Xtream Path 2: Horizontal Straightener Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

Click on a path segment with the Horizontal Straightener tool and it becomes parallel to the top and bottom of the artboard. The neighboring anchor points are shifted to the left and right of the point clicked, moving only vertically. If either of the neighboring anchor points is a smooth point, it's converted to a corner anchor point. Where you click on the path segment determines where the path segment will be redrawn.

After clicking on a path segment, you can drag it vertically to reposition it.

TIP: Hold down the Shift key and the Horizontal Straightener tool becomes the Vertical Straightener tool.

When the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) is pressed, the Horizontal Straightener tool functions like the Add Anchor Point tool (when over a path segment) or the Delete Anchor Point tool (when over an existing anchor point).

Example:

tool_convert2arc

Xtream Path 2: Convert-to-Arc Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

Click on a path segment with the Convert-to-Arc tool to create a smooth arc from that segment. The arc will use the existing anchor points, converting corner anchor points to smooth points.

TIP: Shift-click on a path segment to create the inverse of the arc.

The radius of the arc will be determined by the direction lines of the anchor points. If the direction lines at either end of the path segment angle toward each other, a convex arc is created. If the direction lines angle away from each other, a concave arc is created. If the direction lines are parallel, the Convert-to-Arc tool cannot be used.

For example, clicking the tool on one side of a rectangle or square would not produce an arc because Xtream Path 2 would have no way to calculate a smooth arc between the parallel sides of the object.

When the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) is pressed, the Convert-to-Arc tool functions like the Add Anchor Point tool (when over a path segment) or the Delete Anchor Point tool (when over an existing anchor point).

Example1:

 

 

Example2:

tool_paralleloval

Xtream Path 2: Parallelogram Ovalization Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

Use the Parallelogram Ovalization tool to create arc from a path segment between two parallel segments. However, you cannot convert a segment that is perpendicular to the parallel segments, such as the side of a rectangle or square. By default, the Parallelogram Ovalization tool forms a convex arc. Use the Shift key with the tool to create a concave arc.

Example:

tool_semioval

Xtream Path 2: Semi Ovalization Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Semi-Ovalization tool creates half-ovals from the selected path segment. When you click on a path segment, a smooth anchor point is added in the middle of the segment and the adjoining anchor points are converted to smooth points if necessary. The half-oval flows smoothly through the three anchor points. The original segment can be curved or straight.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers three ways to control the Semi Ovalization tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the path segment as you wish, creating a convex or concave curve. The distance dragged will be shown at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel as you drag, expressed as a percent of the distance between the path's original anchor points. A negative number indicates a concave curve.

Snapping
Units Specify an increment to which the curve will "snap" as you drag. The distance between the path segment's anchor points is 100%, and you can specify a snapping distance in relation to that length.

Fixed Height
You enter a percentage of the distance between the path segment's anchor points as the diameter of the new semi-oval. Enter 100%, for example, and click on a path segment to create a semi-circle. Enter 50% and click on a path segment and the half-oval will have a 2:1 aspect ratio.

When working with a fixed height of 100%, it's simple to create basic shapes from squares and rectangles. A square rotated 45 degrees becomes a heart with two clicks or a clover leaf with four clicks.

When the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) is depressed, the Semi Ovalization tool functions like Illustrator's Add Anchor Point tool (when over a path segment) or the Delete Anchor Point tool (when over an existing anchor point).

Example:

tool_stretch

Xtream Path 2: Stretch Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Stretch tool deforms a path as you drag. Click on an existing anchor point or on a path segment and drag. The path can be manipulated as desired, with anchor points added as necessary

In the Xtream Path 2 panel, you specify Round, which results in a smooth anchor point at the apex of your drag, or Acute, which produces a corner anchor point and a shape peak.

The distance along the original path that's replaced by the Stretch tool can be specified in the panel using the Width field. In addition, you can press the Shift key to increase the Width as you drag or press the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) while dragging to decrease the Width. If desired, you can press either key repeatedly while the cursor is stationary to change the value. The Width value is updated at the bottom of the panel as you make changes.

When the Temporary option is selected in the Xtream Path 2 panel, any changes to the Width value you make while dragging are not retained and the field returns to its pre-drag value when the mouse button is released. When the Temporary option is not selected, the value showing when you release the mouse button remains in the Width field.

Example:

tool_roundfillet

Xtream Path 2: Round Fillet Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Round Fillet tool creates smoothly-rounded corners, converting corner anchor points to smooth points. You can also use the Round Fillet tool to create curves by dragging outside the corner. You can convert corners of any angle, but the tool can only be used with anchor points that join two straight path segments.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers three ways to control the Round Fillet tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the corner anchor point to create a convex curve at the corner. The distance dragged will be shown at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel as you drag, expressed as the radius of the curve.

Snapping Units
Specify an increment to which the curve will "snap" as you drag. The distance is measured as the radius of the curve.

Fixed Radius
You enter a fixed distance for the radius of the curved corner. Click and drag a short distance and the curve will snap to the desired shape.

TIP: If you need to make a set of matching corners, but don't know the radius to use Fixed Radius, use Free Drag to create the first corner, but hold down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) before releasing the mouse button. That inserts the distance you just dragged into the Fixed Radius field, enabling you to use that feature to exactly replicate your first corner.

Example:

tool_reverseroundfillet

Xtream Path 2: Reverse Round Fillet Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Reverse Round Fillet tool converts corners into concave curves (drag toward the inside of the corner) or it can be used to extend a straight path and adding a convex curve to replace the original corner.

The Reverse Round Fillet tool is used exclusively with anchor points that join two straight path segments, but those paths can meet at any angle and do not need to form a right angle. The direction that you drag determines the new shape of the corner.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers three ways to control the Reverse Round Fillet tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the corner anchor point to create a convex curve at the corner. The distance dragged will be shown at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel as you drag, expressed as the radius of the curve.

Snapping Units
Specify an increment to which the curve will "snap" as you drag. The distance is measured as the radius of the curve.

Fixed Radius
You enter a fixed distance for the radius of the curved corner. Click and drag a short distance and the curve will snap to the desired shape.

TIP: If you need to make a set of matching corners, but don't know the radius to use Fixed Radius, use Free Drag to create the first corner, but hold down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) before releasing the mouse button. That inserts the distance you just dragged into the Fixed Radius field, enabling you to use that feature to exactly replicate your first corner.

 

Example:

tool_ovalfillet

Xtream Path 2: Oval Fillet Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Oval Fillet tool converts corners into convex arcs. You can drag the tool to create the arc as you'd like, or you can create an arc to specific dimensions. The Oval Fillet tool is used only with a pair of straight path segments that join at a corner anchor point.

You can click on one path segment, hold down the mouse button, and drag to the adjoining segment. Xtream Path 2 then creates an ovoid arc based on a parallelogram formed by the two path segments and an imaginary pair of complementary path segments.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers several ways to control the Oval Fillet tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the corner anchor point to create a concave curve at the corner. The distance dragged will be shown at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel as you drag, expressed as the distances of the sides of the curve. Hold down the Shift key to create a symmetrical curve.

Snapping Units
Specify an increment to which the curve will "snap" as you drag. The increment is the distance from the original corner point to the start of the new curved path segment.

Fixed Side Dimensions
You enter a fixed distance for the curved corner. Click and drag a short distance and the curve will snap to the desired shape. The distance entered is from the original corner anchor point to the start of the new curved path segment. The same distance is used for both sides of the original corner.

Side 1/Side 2
If you require an asymmetrical curved corner, enter different distances for the two sides of the corner, then click the first path segment and drag to the second.

With Free Drag selected, you can hold down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) while releasing the mouse button to enter the distance dragged into the Side 1 and Side 2 fields. If you hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) when you release the mouse button, the distance dragged will be entered into the Fide Side Dimensions field.

TIP: The Oval Fillet and Reverse Oval Fillet tools enable you to create asymmetrical curved corners. If symmetry is required, use the Fixed Side Dimension option or use Xtream Path 2's Round Fillet and Reverse Round Filler tools.

Example:

tool_reverseovalfillet

Xtream Path 2: Reverse Oval Fillet Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Reverse Oval Fillet tool converts corners into concave arcs. You can drag the tool to create the arc as you'd like, or you can create an arc to specific dimensions. The Reverse Oval Fillet tool is used only with a pair of straight path segments that join at a corner anchor point.

You can click on one path segment, hold down the mouse button, and drag to the adjoining segment. Xtream Path 2 then creates an ovoid arc based on a parallelogram formed by the two path segments and an imaginary pair of complementary path segments.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers several ways to control the Reverse Oval Fillet tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the corner anchor point to create a concave curve at the corner. The distance dragged will be shown at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel as you drag, expressed as the distances of the sides of the curve. Hold down the Shift key to create a symmetrical curve.

Snapping Units
Specify an increment to which the curve will "snap" as you drag. The increment is the distance from the original corner point to the start of the new curved path segment.

Fixed Side Dimensions
You enter a fixed distance for the curved corner. Click and drag a short distance and the curve will snap to the desired shape. The distance entered is from the original corner anchor point to the start of the new curved path segment. The same distance is used for both sides of the original corner.

Side 1/Side 2
If you require an asymmetrical curved corner, enter different distances for the two sides of the corner, then click the first path segment and drag to the second.

With Free Drag selected, you can hold down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) while releasing the mouse button to enter the distance dragged into the Side 1 and Side 2 fields. If you hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) when you release the mouse button, the distance dragged will be entered into the Fide Side Dimensions field.

TIP: The Oval Fillet and Reverse Oval Fillet tools enable you to create asymmetrical curved corners. If symmetry is required, use the Fixed Side Dimension option or use Xtream Path 2's Round Fillet and Reverse Round Filler tools.

Example:

tool_chamfer

Xtream Path 2: Chamfer Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Chamfer tool bevels corners. You click on a corner point and drag. Xtream Path 2 will create a straight path segment diagonally between the original segments. If you drag inward from the corner, the original segments are shortened according to the distance dragged. If you drag outward from the corner, one (or both) original path segments is extended.

To use the Chamfer tool, you must click on a corner anchor point connecting two straight path segments. The tool cannot be used on an anchor point for a curved path segment.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers several ways to control the Chamfer tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the corner anchor point and see the new path segment previewed on the artboard. Release the mouse button when the bevel is correct. Hold down the Shift key while dragging to produce a symmetrical relationship between the new path segment and the original segments. (You can see the distances dragged at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel.)

Snapping Units
Specify an increment to which the bevel will "snap" as you drag. The increment is the distance from the original corner point to the start of the new path segment.

Fixed Side Dimensions
You enter a fixed distance for the start of the beveled corner. Click and drag a short distance and the tool will snap to the desired distance. The distance entered is from the original corner anchor point to the start of the new path segment. The same distance is used for both sides of the original corner.

Fixed Surface Dimension
This option enables you to specify a length for the new path segment.

Assign 2 Side Dimensions
You can specify different lengths for the two new path segments. To use this option, assign the lengths, then click on one path segment (Side 1) and drag to the adjoining path segment (Side 2).

With Free Drag selected, you can hold down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) while releasing the mouse button to enter the distance dragged into the Side 1 and Side 2 fields. If you hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) when you release the mouse button, the distance dragged will be entered into the Fixed Side Dimensions field and the length of the new segment will be entered into the Fixed Surface Dimension field.

Example:

 

tool_lchamfer

Xtream Path 2: L-Chamfer Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The L-Chamfer tool converts a corner anchor point into a pair of path segments that create an L shape. An angle is formed from two new path segments. The angle of the new segments to each other and the original path segments is based upon the angle between the original segments. You can drag inward from a corner point or outward. If you drag outward along one existing path segment, that segment is extended and the L shape is formed from the new end point. If you drag directly outward from the corner point, a rectangle, parallelogram, or square will extend from the original corner point.

To use the L-Chamfer tool, you can click on a corner anchor point connecting two straight path segments and drag. (The tool cannot be used on an anchor point for a curved path segment.) You can also click on one path segment and drag to the adjoining path segment. The new path segments will use the values assigned for Side 1 and Side 2 in the Xtream Path 2 panel.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers several ways to control the L-Chamfer tool:

Free Drag
You can drag the corner anchor point and see the new angled path segments previewed on the artboard. Release the mouse button when the new shape is correct. Hold down the Shift key while dragging to produce a symmetrical relationship between the new path segments and the original segments. (You can see the lengths of the new segments at the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel.)

Snapping Units
Specify an increment to which the tool will "snap" as you drag. The increment is the length of one or both of the new path segments.

Fixed Side Dimensions
You enter a length for the two new path segments.

Assign 2 Side Dimensions
You can specify different lengths for the two new path segments. To use this option, assign the lengths, then click on one path segment (Side 1) and drag to the adjoining path segment (Side 2).

With Free Drag selected, you can hold down the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) while releasing the mouse button to enter the distance dragged into the Side 1 and Side 2 fields. If you hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) when you release the mouse button, the distance dragged will be entered into the Fixed Side Dimensions field.

Example:

tool_intersection

Xtream Path 2: Intersection Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Intersection tool can be used to create or restore corner points between two straight path segments. To use the tool, click on one straight path segment and drag to another straight path segment. the two segments will be extended to their point of intersection and a corner anchor point will be created. Any path segments between the two on which you click/drag are deleted. The Intersection tool can also be used on open paths (but not two individual paths).

NOTE: The Intersection tool cannot be used with parallel line segments since parallel lines have no logical point of intersection.

Remember that the path segments will be extended to their point of intersection, even if that is away from the open end of an open path. One or both original path segments may be shortened to terminate at the point of intersection.

Use the Shift key with the Intersection tool to create a new object that consists entirely of the area added by the Intersection tool. (The original object is deleted.) A blue preview will show the resulting object. Using the Shift key with the Intersection tool on an open path results in a new open path.

Example:

tool_multiline

Xtream Path 2: Multi-Line Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Multi-Line tool creates straight path segments with corner anchor points. The "multi" part of the name comes from the tool's capability of creating multiple path segments with a series of clicks or click/drags.

Creating a path segment can be as simple as clicking where you want the segment to begin, moving the cursor, then clicking a second time. You can also click once to set the first anchor point, then click and drag to see a preview of the path segment. The segment won't be created until you release the mouse button. Create additional segments connected to the first by continuing to click or click/drag.

To create a closed path, click near the first anchor point then drag the cursor to that point. The cursor will "snap" to the anchor point when it's within a few pixels. Release the mouse button to complete the closed path. The next click on the tool will start a new path or object.

If you want to end an open path and start a new path, Command-click (Mac) or Control-click (Windows) away from the current path to deselect it. If you want to add segments to an existing open path, select the path on the artboard, then click an end point with the Multi-line tool. Subsequent clicks or click/drags will add segments to that path.

TIP: If you hold down the Shift key while clicking (or when releasing the mouse button after dragging), the previous anchor point is deleted and the new path segment extends from the previous anchor point.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers several ways to create precise path segments with the Multi-Line tool:

Free Length
Click to set the path segment's first anchor point, then click or click-drag to place the anchor point for the far end of the path segment. You can click or drag anywhere on the artboard to create path segments of any length and in any direction. The bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel will show the length and angle from the previous anchor point to the cursor's location as you drag.

Snap Length
After placing the first anchor point, the Multi-Line tool will be constrained to the length increment specified, "snapping" to multiples of that length.

Fixed Length
Each path segment will be the length specified.

Snap Angle
Each path segment will be constrained to multiples of the designated angle.

TIP: The Snap Angle option can be used in conjunction with Free Length, Snap Length, or Fixed Length.

Example1:

 

Example2:

Example3:

tool_multiarc

Xtream Path 2: Multi-Arc Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Multi-Arc tool creates curved path segments, each arc adding three smooth anchor points to the path. Click to establish the path's starting point, the click and drag to add an arc. If you choose Free Drag, the arc will consist of three (3) points: the starting point, the second clicking point (without releasing the mouse), and the release point. Continue to click and drag to add additional arcs to the path. You can create closed paths by clicking and dragging back to the first anchor point.

While dragging, an arc can be reversed by pressing the Shift key. (Note that this may convert the previous anchor point from a smooth anchor point to a corner point.)

Pressing the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) while dragging enables you to create straight path segments. One or more straight segments can be added to a path along with arcs.

TIP: You can continue an existing open path by selecting the path on the artboard, then clicking on an end point with the Multi-Arc tool. Arcs can then be added by click-dragging.

When you've finished creating a series of arcs, you can end an open path by selecting a different tool or by Command-clicking (Mac) or Control-clicking (Windows) away from your path.

Use the Xtream Path 2 panel to create predictable, controlled arcs:

Starting Angle
When this option is selected, the first arc will be formed from the starting point and the arc will always be touching the invisible straight line that extends in the direction of the Starting Angle. This option controls the angle of straight path segments added by pressing the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows). Each straight segment will be added at the angle indicated in the field. A value can be entered manually, selected from the pop-up menu, or changes with the up/down arrows to the left of the numeric filed. You can also click or drag within the circle to change the angle. The buttons to the right and left of the circle reverse the angle across the horizontal axis (right) or vertical axis (bottom).

Length of Radius/Tangent
When set to Free Drag, you can adjust arcs or straight segment length by dragging. The Snap option constrains the arc or straight segment to multiples of the value selected. Fixed Radius/Tangent produces an arc of a specific radius or a straight segment of a specific length.

Central Angle
Think of the Central Angle option as the length of the arc or that portion of a circle being created. For example, when set to 90 degrees, one-quarter of a circle is produced with each click-drag of the Multi-Arc tool. When set to 180 degrees, half-circles are created. The Free Drag option enables you to create arcs of any length. When Snap is selected, each arc will be constrained to multiples of the value selected, "snapping" to the next length as you drag. When you select Fixed Central Angle, each arc will be of the designated length.

TIP: If you find the Multi-Arc tool hard to control or unpredictable, designate a fixed radius or a fixed central angle and try again. If you don't know either value, free drag while keeping an eye on the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel. As you drag, the radius will be shown on the left and the central angle on the right. Once you have an idea of the dimensions of the arc (or arcs) you need to create, use Undo, enter a radius or central angle, and click-drag to produce your desired arc.

Example1:

 

 

Example2:

 

 

Example3:

tool_multicurve

Xtream Path 2: Multi-Curve Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Multi-Curve tool creates curved path segments. You click to establish the initial anchor point, then click and drag to add a single anchor point and a curved path segment. Continue to click and drag to add additional curved path segments. Clicking determines the location of the next anchor point, while dragging establishes the curve.

While dragging, you can press the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) and reposition the new anchor point. Releasing the modifier key with the mouse button still depressed enables you to continue shaping the curve after repositioning the anchor point.

The Xtream Path 2 panel offers the option of having the path's direction lines visible as you drag.

By default, each anchor point placed with the Multi-Curve tool is a corner point. To force a smooth anchor point, press the Shift key while dragging. As long as you continue to drag in a direction that produces a continuously-flowing path through the previous anchor point, that point will be converted to a smooth point. However, if the Shift key is down and you drag in a direction to prevent a smooth curve from being created, the previous anchor point will not be converted to a smooth point.

Example:

 

tool_unlock

Xtream Path 2: Unlock Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Unlock tool has a pair of jobs: Use it to unlock paths, objects, and groups; use it to convert Illustrator's guides to paths.

Illustrator's Object> Unlock All command releases all locked objects in the image. Alternatively, you can expand layers, sublayers, and groups in the Layers panel to locate and unlock a single item. Xtream Path 2 now offers an alternative. Simply select the Unlock tool and click any locked path or object.

NOTE: If the object clicked with the Unlock tool is part of a locked group, Xtream Path 2 will unlock only the object.

The Unlock tool can also be used to create paths or objects from guides. While it is possible to use the Unlock tool on a guide that you've dragged from one of Illustrator's Rulers, it is more appropriate for restoring the status of objects changed to guides with the command View> Guides> Make Guides. The object's stroke and fill will be restored.

Example:

tool_segduplication

Xtream Path 2: Segment Duplication Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Segment Duplication tool copies the shape of one path segment and applies it to another. Hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) and click on a path segment. Release the modifier keys and click on another path segment, in the same or any other selected path or object. The first segment's shape is duplicated for the second segment. The Xtream Path 2 panel enables you to reflect the path segment shape across the horizontal axis (Reverse Horizontally) or across the vertical axis (Reverse Vertically).

When clicking another segment to paste the segment shape, the nearest anchor point serves as the base point.
Holding down the Shift key while clicking on a path segment will temporarily disable the Reverse Horizontally and Reverse Vertically options.

TIP: The path that you are copying may not necessarily need to be selected.

Example:

tool_parallelization

Xtream Path 2: Parallelization Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Parallelization tool duplicates the angle of a path segment (straight or curved) and applies it to another path segment. Hold down the Shift and Option keys (Mac) or the Shift and Alt keys (Windows) and click on a path segment to copy its angle. (The cursor assumes the Eyedropper icon.) Click on another path segment in the same or any other selected path to replicate the angle

When pasting the angle to a different segment, the anchor point nearest the spot on which you click remains stationary. The anchor point at the opposite end of the path segment is moved to adjust the angle. The anchor point will move along the adjoining path segment (if any) to reach the required angle. The adjoining path segment's length, not its angle, will be adjusted.

TIP: The path that you are copying may not necessarily need to be selected.

Example:

tool_seginsertion

Xtream Path 2: Segment Insertion Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Segment Insertion tool copies an existing path segment and pastes it into a different location or a different path or object, replacing an existing path segment. When pasted, the segment is scaled, if necessary, in order to preserve the positions of the existing anchor points.

To use the Segment Insertion tool, Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on any segment of a path to copy it. You then click on another segment of that or any other selected path or object to paste. You can Shift-click when pasting the path segment to rotate it 180 degrees.

The anchor point nearest the spot clicked when copying will be used as the "base point." That end of the path segment will be copied toward the nearest anchor point to the spot clicked when pasting the segment.

TIP: The path that you are copying may not necessarily need to be selected.

Example1:

 

Example2:

tool_segangling

Xtream Path 2: Segment Angling Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Segment Angling tool enables you to precisely angle path segments, both straight and curved. Using the direction specified in the Xtream Path 2 panel, a simple click with the tool on a selected path segment will change the segment's angle. The anchor point nearest the spot on the segment that you click remains in place and the opposite anchor point is adjusted. You can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) to copy the angle of an existing path segment into the Direction field.

You can also copy the angle of an existing path by clicking and dragging between the first and second anchor points. To do this, you can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on the first anchor point without releasing the mouse and drag to the second anchor point. This loads the angle of the second anchor point with the first anchor point as the base point. To find out whether you are above a segment or an anchor point, you need to look closely at the little square next to the eyedropper cursor.

There are several ways to manually change values in the Xtream Path 2 panel for the Segment Angling tool:
Double-click in the Direction field and type a number.
Use the up/down arrow buttons to the left of each field to change the existing value.
Click anywhere in the circle below the Direction field.
Drag the line in the circle below the Direction field.

TIP: The path that you are copying for the Direction may not necessarily need to be selected.

Example:

tool_segresizing

Xtream Path 2: Segment Resizing Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Segment Resizing tool enables you to precisely change the length of path segments, both straight and curved. Using the value specified in the Xtream Path 2 panel's Distance field, a simple click with the tool on a selected path segment will change the segment's length. The anchor point nearest the spot on the segment that you click remains in place, while the opposite anchor point is adjusted. You can manually enter a value into the Distance field or you can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) to copy the length of an existing path segment.

You can also copy the angle of an existing path by clicking and dragging between the first and second anchor points. To do this, you can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on the first anchor point without releasing the mouse and drag to the second anchor point. This loads the angle of the second anchor point with the first anchor point as the base point. To find out whether you are above a segment or an anchor point, you need to look closely at the little square next to the eyedropper cursor.

When working with curved path segments, the Distance value is measured directly between the segment's anchor points, not along the path itself.

TIP: The path that you are copying for the Direction may not need to be selected.

Example:

tool_pathinsertion

Xtream Path 2: Path Insertion Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Path Insertion tool copies an existing path, open or closed, and pastes it into another path or object, replacing an existing path segment. When pasted, the path is scaled, if necessary, in order to preserve the positions of the existing anchor points. When a closed path is pasted, it is converted to an open path with, if necessary, overlapping path segments.

To use the Path Insertion tool, Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on any path or object to copy it. You then click on a segment of another selected path or object to paste. You can Shift-click when pasting the path to flip it across the axis of the path.

When you Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows), the nearest anchor point becomes the "base point." That end of the path will be pasted toward the anchor point nearest the spot you click when pasting.

TIP: The path that you are copying may not need to be selected.

Example:

tool_pathangling

Xtream Path 2: Path Angling Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Path Angling tool enables you to precisely rotate paths or objects. Using the direction specified in the Xtream Path 2 panel, a simple click with the tool on a selected path or object will rotate it. The segment clicked will jump to the angle specified in the Direction field of the panel. The anchor point nearest the spot on the segment that you click remains in place, and the path or object rotates around that point.

You can also copy or paste the angle of an existing path by clicking and dragging between the first and second anchor points. To do this, you can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on the first anchor point without releasing the mouse and drag to the second anchor point. This loads the angle of the second anchor point with the first anchor point as the base point. To find out whether you are above a segment or an anchor point, you need to look closely at the little square next to the eyedropper cursor.

There are several ways to manually change values in the Xtream Path 2 panel for the Path Angling tool:
Double-click in the Direction field and type a number.
Use the up/down arrow buttons to the left of each field to change the existing value.
Click anywhere in the circle below the Direction field.
Drag the line in the circle below the Direction field.

You can also Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) to copy the angle of an existing path segment's angle into the Direction field.

TIP: The path that you are copying for the Direction may not need to be selected.

Example:

tool_pathresizing

Xtream Path 2: Path Resizing Tool

[ Index ] [ Tools in General ]

The Path Resizing tool enables you to precisely change the size of a path or object, scaling the entire path according to a designated length for a specific path segment. You specify a length in the Xtream Path 2 panel's Distance field, then assign that length to one segment of the path or object by clicking with the Path Resizing tool. The entire path is scaled to match the change in the designated segment. You can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on an existing path segment to enter its length into the Distance field.

You can also copy or paste the angle of an existing path by clicking and dragging between the first and second anchor points. To do this, you can Shift-Option-click (Mac) or Shift-Alt-click (Windows) on the first anchor point without releasing the mouse and drag to the second anchor point. This loads the angle of the second anchor point with the first anchor point as the base point. To find out whether you are above a segment or an anchor point, you need to look closely at the little square next to the eyedropper cursor.

When working with curved paths, the Distance value is measured directly between the designated segment's anchor points, not along the path itself.

TIP: The path that you are copying for the Distance may not need to be selected.

Example:

live_general

Xtream Path 2: Live Effects in General

[ Index ]

Xtream Path 2 Live Effect is under “Illustrator > Window > XtreamPath2 > Live …” submenu.


If you access the menu, the panel including “XtreamPath2: Live …” title appears.
For the object which has already applied Xtream Path 2 Live Effect, you can edit the original one, and the effect one will automatically update.

“XtreamPath2: Live …” panel includes the following interface in common.

Live Update
Unchecking this option leaves the selected object unchanged until you click the Apply button. When checked, Live Update will automatically apply the settings as you make changes.

Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the copies created by the Live Effect. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Live Effect. The Apply button applies the current settings to selected objects.

Panel Menu
The Panel menu is accessed by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
You can reset the panel settings to 'Default Settings' and save the current setting as the preset menu and add here.
For the instruction on how to use the preset menu, please refer “Preset Menu.”

?
Display help panel and jump to correspond page. Also, if you select any Xtream Path 2 live object and click “?” icon while pressing the option/alt key, correspond “XtreamPath2: Live…” panel will open.

NOTE: If you open the Illustrator file that contains the object with Xtream Path 2 Live Effect by Illustrator that Xtream Path 2 is not installed, the following alert message will be displayed.

“The document '[File Name].ai' contains elements that are managed by plug-ins that are not currently available. You can delete or expand these elements, but you cannot manipulate them in other ways. The missing plug-ins are listed below. (List of uninstalled plugins)”

Please note, this is not an error message. If necessary, you can expand the elements from “Illustrator > Object > Expand…” menu command. Even if you Expand them, the appearances are valid, and you will not see the alert message when opening the file.

* If Illustrator's “Expand ...” command can not be used (such as when the stroke profile on the path is not uniform), please expand it with the “Expand” button on the “FILTERiT5: Live…” panel in advance.

TIP: You can check which Live Effect has been used on the object using “Appearance” panel of Illustrator.

live_blurredpath

Xtream Path 2: Live Blurred Path

[ Index ] [ Live Effects in General ]

Live Blurred Path blurs the edge of the selected object (path or text or its group) to blend into the background. The position and direction of the blurred area can be controlled from the filled area.
The width and color of the blurred area will be from the stroke setting of the object (if not specified, the default setting will be used.)
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.

NOTE: Depending on your PC, when selecting “Illustrator > View > GPU Preview” it may take a long time for drawing. In that case, change to “Illustrator > View > Preview on CPU.” You can turn on/off GPU Performance from Illustrator’s Preferences.

Example:

From the sample file live_blurredpath_01.ai
  1. Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
  2. Select “Illustrator > Window > XtreamPath2 > Live Blurred Path” menu. “XtreamPath2: Live Blurred Path” panel will open.
  3. Type “XtreamPath2” and create the text object on the document’s artboard. Set the font style to bold, the font size as 72pt, the Fill Color as Black, the Stroke Color as Red, and set the Stroke Weight as 8pt. The width and color of the blurred area is specified by the Stroke setting of the object.
  4. Select the text object.
  5. From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
  6. Click “Apply” button on the panel.
  7. Make sure that Alignment setting on the panel is set to “Outside.” The Blur will be created on the outside of the text outline.
  8. Make sure that “Remove Interference” on the panel is checked. Then from “Character” panel of Illustrator, set the tracking to the value between -100 to -200 and make the characters to overlap.
  9. Create path behind the text object and set its color differently.
  10. Set Alignment setting on the panel to “Inside.”
  11. Check the option “Unify overlaps in text or group.”
  12. Change the text object on the document.
  13. Change the settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.

Setting items:

Alignment (Group Box)
“Remove Interference [Recommended]” option is active if Alignment is set to “Outside.” The option is valid when the character is close to each other, and the blurred area is entering the inside of the character.

NOTE: The width of the blurred area is specified by 'Stroke: Weight' of the object, and the base color of the blurred area is specified by 'Color: Stroke' of the object (if not specified the default setting will be used). If you want to make the blurred area widen or tighten, change 'Weight' value on Illustrator’s Stroke panel. To change the color, use Illustrator’s Color panel or Swatches panel.

Unify overlaps in text or group
The overlaps of the characters within the text object or the overlaps of grouped paths and compound paths will be unified. If 'Alignment' is set to 'Outside' and 'Remove Interference' option is selected, this option will not affect the result whether it is selected or not.

Auto Stroke Styling [Recommended]
Use 'Cap: Round' 'Corner: Round Joint' as the style of the Stroke. Due to the nature of this effect, selecting this checkbox is recommended.

Gradient Arc
Specify the curve for the blurred area’s gradation change. Set the gradual mixture ratio between the base color (the line color) and the transparency. There are 3 icons for the set of curves : -100% (reversed arc), 0% (straight line), 100% (arc). Otherwise, it will be proportionally distributed the gradation curve.

TIP: If you set Gradient Arc to -100% (reversed arc), the gradation of the blurred area will be steep around the outline, but the gradation toward the tip will be gentle. The area around the outline will be stand out while blending to the background and the fill. Especially recommended to use on text objects.

Contrast
Control the color strength for the gradation of the blurred area.

Auto Gradation / Manual Steps
Specify the density for the gradation of the blurred area. Select from one of Auto Gradation (High, Mid, Low) or select Manual Steps and manually assign. If you select Manual Steps, please enter the number of Steps.

Fill Opacity
Specify the opacity for the fill of the selected object.
If this option is not selected, the fill color will be completely transparent.

Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Blurred Path is creating a high number of steps. Unchecking this option leaves the selected object unchanged until you click the Apply button. When checked, Live Update will automatically apply the Live Blurred Path settings as you make changes.

Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the copies created by Live Blurred Path. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Blurred Path effect. The Apply button applies the current settings to selected objects.

Panel Menu
The Panel menu is accessed by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
You can reset the panel settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

live_rotatemirror

Xtream Path 2: Live Rotate Mirror

[ Index ] [ Live Effects in General ]

Live Rotate Mirror cuts off specified the area of the selected object (path or text or its group) and duplicates like mirrored image. It can also include the reflection symmetry based from the rotation axis.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.

Example:

From the sample file live_rotatemirror_01.ai
  1. Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
  2. Select “Illustrator > Window > XtreamPath2 > Live Rotate Mirror” menu. “XtreamPath2: Live Rotate Mirror” panel will open.
  3. Create an Ellipse on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Ellipse Tool” and draw an ellipse with Width as 50pt, Height as 100pt. Set the Fill Color to White, the Stroke Color to Black, and the Stroke Weight to 1pt.
  4. Select the Ellipse.
  5. From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
  6. Click “Apply” button on the panel.
  7. Change the Size, Fill, and Stroke on the Ellipse.
  8. Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.

    Setting items:

    Reflect Mirroring
    When selecting this option, the reflection symmetry based on the center of the rotation axes will be created from the clipping bounds.
    The rotated copy includes the reflection symmetry. Therefore the open angle for the clipping bounds will be in half.

    Number of mirroring axes
    Specify the number of the rotated copy.

    Clipping Bounds (Group Box)
    Clipping Bounds (Group Box)
    Specify the clipping method, position, and orientation for the region used on mirroring. The opening angle for the region is specified by the number of the rotation axis and whether 'Reflect Mirroring' option is selected or not. 'Clipping' option selects whether to cut off from 'Clipping' or not or clip to mask. The position will be specified relative to the size of the selected object. If 'Flip' option is selected, the region will rotate to counterclockwise direction from its main axis.
    While controlling this menu, please select 'Show Bounds' option. The region and its center are displayed by the guide, and the color can be changed from Illustrator’s 'Preferences.'
    'Reset' button reverts the settings on Clipping Bounds (Group Box) to default settings. If you hold down the Shift key, the clipping bounds will move counter-clockwise every time you click. If you hold down the Shift + option/Alt key, the moving direction will be reversed.

    Live Update
    Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Rotate Mirror is creating a high number of copies. Unchecking this option leaves the selected object unchanged until you click the Apply button. When checked, Live Update will automatically apply the Live Rotate Mirror settings as you make changes.

    Expand/Release/Apply
    The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the copies created by Live Rotate Mirror. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Rotate Mirror effect. The Apply button applies the current settings to selected objects.

    Panel Menu
    The Panel menu is accessed by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
    You can reset the panel settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
    For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

live_wallpaper

Xtream Path 2: Live Wallpaper (Crystalline Pattern)

[ Index ] [ Live Effects in General ]

The Live Wallpaper fills a designated area with copies of the selected artwork. The Xtream Path 2 panel offers 17 different patterns of wallpaper, based on the International Union of Crystallography (IUC) standards.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.
The unit from a Wallpaper can be transferred to Illustrator’s 'Pattern Editing Mode' and save in the 'Swatches' panel.

Example:

From the sample file live_wallpaper_01.ai
  1. Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
  2. Select “Illustrator > Window > XtreamPath2 > Live Wallpaper (Crystalline Pattern)” menu. “XtreamPath2: Live Wallpaper (Crystalline Pattern)” panel will open.
  3. Create an ellipse on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Ellipse Tool” and draw an ellipse with Width as 50pt, Height as 30pt. Set the Fill Color to a Linear Gradient, the Stroke Color to Black, and the Stroke Weight to 1pt.
  4. Select the Ellipse.
  5. From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
  6. Click “Apply” button on the panel.
  7. Change the Size, Fill, and Stroke on the Ellipse.
  8. Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.

Setting items:

Pattern

If you select one of 17 buttons, pattern diagrams for the selected pattern will be shown on the right side. In the pattern diagrams, the red colored area indicates the clipping area and the outline indicate the unit (rectangle, square, rhomboid, or hexagon). The clipping area is the minimum unit which forms the unit. You can also select a pattern from the pull-down menu (IUC Notation).

Area
Specify the range for displaying the pattern.

Offset
The setting will be active when you choose the pattern which uses the rectangular or square unit.
You can specify the amount by the row or column and set the relative size to the unit.

Clipping Bounds (Group Box)
Specify the clipping method, position, and size of the region for the minimum unit which forms the unit. 'Clipping' option selects whether to cut off from 'Clipping' or not or clip to mask.
While controlling this menu, please select 'Show Bounds' option. The region and its center are displayed by the guides, and the color can be changed from Illustrator’s 'Preferences.'
'Reset' button reverts the settings on Clipping Bounds (Group Box) to default settings.
The absolute size for clipping bounds on the document depends on the minimum rectangular which includes selected object.

NOTE: For the size setting on Clipping Bounds, the horizontal and vertical values can be specified individually, or these two values may link together, depending on the pattern.

Overlap (Group Box)
The setting will be active when 'Clipping' is set to 'No.'
It controls the direction (left and right, top and bottom) of overlaps and stack order within a single unit.
'Reverse inside Unit' option reverses stack order within the unit.

Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Wallpaper is creating a high number of copies. Unchecking this option leaves the selected object unchanged until you click the Apply button. When checked, Live Update will automatically apply the Live Wallpaper settings as you make changes.

Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the copies created by Live Wallpaper. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Wallpaper effect. The Apply button applies the current settings to selected objects.

Save to Swatches panel as AI pattern…
Enter Illustrator’s 'Pattern Editing Mode.’ The intention is to save a Wallpaper as Illustrator pattern to the Swatches panel and reuse it. While on this mode, a single unit object that makes a wallpaper is passed to Illustrator’s 'Pattern Editing Mode,’ and will display as the default tile layout (e.g. 5x5 grid) on the editing document.
Illustrator’s 'Pattern Options' panel opens simultaneously and enables to set the shape of the unit (Rectangle, Rhombus, Hexagon) and other settings depending on the clipping condition.
If you enter the editing mode, the right side of 'XtreamPath2: Live Wallpaper' expands and shows the hint.
Please refer to the hint if you want to set the pattern in the editing mode to the same tile layout in the Wallpaper.
In the hint section, the correspondence content will be displayed depending on the shape of the unit you are using.
Same as the normal pattern editing, you can customize settings other than the setting from the hint and edit the object itself. It will have no impact on the original 'Live Wallpaper' object.
While in the editing mode, the settings on 'Live Wallpaper' panel will be inactive.
Here is an example of using this option.

  1. Open the sample file live_wallpaper_01.ai. The artboard contains above Wallpaper.
  2. Select the Wallpaper on the artboard. Live Wallpaper has been already applied. Use Illustrator’s 'Selection Tool' and click anywhere on the Wallpaper. The original ellipse will be selected.
  3. Click 'Save to Swatches panel as AI pattern…' button on 'Live Wallpaper' panel. Illustrator will enter 'Pattern Editing Mode.’
  4. The right side of 'Live Wallpaper' panel expands, and the hint will be displayed. The content of the hint will change depending on settings from the Wallpaper.
  5. Set Illustrator’s 'Pattern Options' panel by following the hint A.
    The reason for selecting 'Tile Type' to 'Hex by Row' is that the shape of the single unit from the Wallpaper is a regular hexagon which can stick together in the horizontal direction.
  6. Follow the hint B and name the pattern and save it. Then exit from 'Pattern Editing Mode.’
  7. Use Illustrator’s 'Artboards' panel, create a new artboard and draw an Ellipse.
  8. For the Fill Color of the Ellipse, select the pattern created in step 7 from Illustrator’s 'Swatches' panel.
    From the sample file live_wallpaper_02.ai

TIP: If you duplicate an object using a pattern on the different document, the pattern will also be duplicated on the 'Swatches' panel. For how to handle 'Swatch Library,’ please refer to Illustrator’s help.

Panel Menu
The Panel menu is accessed by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
You can reset the panel settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

live_showpanel

Xtream Path 2: Show Panel

[ Index ]

If you are unsure of which Xtream Path 2 effect has been applied to an object, simply select the object on the Artboard and use ther Show Panel command. The appropriate Live effect Panel will open. If the selected object does not have a Xtream Path 2 live effect applied, a beep will sound. If more than one object is selected, the Panels for all applied effects will be opened.

Like other Xtream Path 2 commands, Show Panel is accessed through the Window> Xtream Path 2 menu command. If a Xtream Path 2 Panel is already open in Illustrator, you can select an object on the Artboard and Alt-click the ? button in the open Panel. The appropriate Panel for the effect applied to the selected object will open.

TIP: If you select Xtream Path 2 live object on the document, the name of the object will display as ’XtreamPath2: Live …’ on Illustrator’s ‘Appearance’ panel.

effect_general

Xtream Path 2: Effects and Filters in General

[ Index ]

Xtream Path 2 Effect is under “Illustrator > Effect > XtreamPath2” submenu.

If you access the menu in selecting your object (path or text or its group), the panel including “XtreamPath2: … Effect” title appears.
For the object which has already applied Xtream Path 2 Effect, you can edit the original one, and the effect one will be automatically update.

NOTE: If you open the Illustrator file that contains the object with Xtream Path 2 Effect by Illustrator that Xtream Path 2 is not installed, the following alert message will be displayed.

“The document '[File Name].ai' contains elements that are managed by plug-ins that are not currently available. You can delete or expand these elements, but you cannot manipulate them in other ways. The missing plug-ins are listed below. (List of uninstalled plugins)”

Please note, this is not an error message. If necessary, you can expand the elements from “Illustrator > Object > Expand Appearance” menu command. Even if you Expand them, the appearances are valid, and you will not see the alert message when opening the file.

TIP: You can check which Effect has been used on the object using “Appearance” panel of Illustrator. Also, if you click 'XtreamPath2: …' Effect entry on Appearance panel, the appropriate dialog window will open and show the settings for the selected object.

 

Xtream Path 2 Filter is under “Illustrator > Object > Filters > XtreamPath2” submenu.


If you access the menu in selecting your object (path or its group) , the panel including “XtreamPath2: … Filter” title appears.

 

Xtream Path 2 Effect / Filter dialog window contains the following interface in common.

Preview
Check this box to see the result of the effect (or filter) before its application. The artboard is automatically updated as you change values. When the effect (or filter) is applied to extremely complex paths, you may want to uncheck Preview until you've entered your target values.

Cancel/OK
The cancel button terminates the effect (or filter) dialog box without changing the selected object; the OK button applies the effect (or filter) with the selected settings.

Pop-up menu
In the lower-left corner of the Smart Rounding dialog box is a triangle that gives access to the pop-up menu.
You can reset the window settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

effect_blowing

Xtream Path 2: Blowing Effect

[ Index ] [ Effects and Filters in General ]
From the sample files effect_blowing_01.ai, effect_blowing_02.ai

Blowing Effect applies wind blows to the selected object (path or text or its group) and creates the deformation effect. You can express speeding, melting, and shaving with this effect.
You can re-edit the original object, and the effect will be updated automatically.
If you want to change the settings for the effect object, select the object and click the entry of 'XtreamPath2 Blowing…' from Illustrator’s 'Appearance' panel. The dialog window for 'Blowing Effect' will open.
By controlling Illustrator’s 'Appearance' panel, the effect can only be applied to the object’s 'Fill' or 'Stroke' and add to Illustrator’s 'Graphic Styles' panel. Illustrator’s 'Expand Appearance' and ‘Blend’ commands are active as well. If you want to cancel the effect, delete the entry of 'XtreamPath2 Blowing…' from 'Appearance' panel.

NOTE: This effect applies after the specified Fill and Stroke. Please check the order of the applied entry from Illustrator’s 'Appearance' panel. Please also refer to description for 'Random.’

Here's how to control the Blowing effect:

Imagine that wind blows on the object and streamers (effect lines) appear.

Direction
Specify the direction from which the wind blows by angle.

Amount per Inch
Specify the density of the effect lines by amount per inch.

Head (Group Box)
Specify the size and sharpness of the effect line for the area against which the wind blows.

Tail (Group Box)
Specify the size and sharpness of the effect line for the area through which the wind blows.

Random
Specify the amount of irregularity for the size and width of the effect line.

NOTE: This effect applies after the specified Fill and Stroke. If the object contains both fill and stroke but not grouped, the effect will be applied to the fill and the stroke separately. This type of effect results in case the random has been used. To avoid this kind of effect, group the object (even it is a single path) before applying the effect. Conversely, to apply this effect to the grouped object, open the content of the object by double clicking the entry in Illustrator’s 'Appearance' panel and apply to each fill or stroke. (You can also ungroup the object)

New Sequence
If Random is set to other than zero, clicking this button will apply the new irregular pattern.

Reset
Revert the settings to default. You can also choose 'Default Settings' from the panel menu.

Preview
Check this box to see the result of the filter before its application. The artboard is automatically updated as you change values. When the filter is applied to extremely complex paths, you may want to uncheck Preview until you've entered your target values.

Cancel/OK
The cancel button terminates the filter dialog box without changing the selected object; the OK button applies the filter with the selected settings.

Pop-up menu
In the lower-left corner of the Smart Rounding dialog box is a triangle that gives access to the pop-up menu.
You can reset the window settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

effect_smartround

Xtream Path 2: Smart Rounding Effect

[ Index ] [ Effects and Filters in General ]

From the sample file effect_smartround_01.ai

The Smart Rounding effect adds a curve to any corner point of path or text. By adding a pair of smooth points to replace the corner point, any angle can be rounded, regardless of shape. The effect gives you control over the shape of concave and convex corners independently. The difference between the filter and the effect is this: While the Smart Rounding filter permanently changes the path of an object, the Smart Rounding effect alters the appearance of the object without making permanent changes. You can re-open the Smart Rounding effect dialog box and alter the settings using the Appearance panel.

With any object that includes one or more corner points selected on the artboard, use the menu command Effect> Xtream Path> Smart Rounding to open the dialog box. Check the Preview box and you'll see the appearance of the object change as you change the values in the dialog box. Note that the selected object's path itself remains unchanged, despite the alteration of the object's appearance.

TIP: When using the Smart Rounding effect (unlike the Smart Rounding Filter), you don't need to create outlines from type. Apply the effect to a type object and the type remains editable.

TIP: If you want to cancel the effect, delete 'XtreamPath2 Smart Rounding…' entry from 'Appearance' panel.

Here's how to control the Smart Rounding effect:

Maximum Length along Convex Angle
This field determines the maximum distance along the path for placement of a corner's new smooth anchor points. For complex paths, Smart Rounding may use a smaller value to avoid conflicts with existing anchor points.

Maximum Length along Concave Angle
This field is used to independently control the rounding of concave corners. As with convex corners, a smaller value may be used to avoid conflicts with other anchor points.

TIP: While the Maximum Length fields measure in points, you can enter any of Illustrator's standard units of measure and Xtream Path will convert to point on the fly. For example, in the Maximum Length field enter 1 in and hit Tab or Return/Enter. The value is automatically converted to 72 pt.

Maintain Ratio
When this option is selected, you can change the value in either field above and maintain the existing relationship between the two fields. For example, if the maximum length for convex angles is twice that of concave angles, changing either field results in a new value for the other field, maintaining the 2:1 ratio.

Curvature Constraint [Recommended]
Loosen the curvature constraint which the rounding affects the segments. If maximum value of chamfer is excessive, it may create the unexpected result. Therefore, in principle selecting this option is recommended.

Ignore Angles Above
The value specified here determines which angles of the original object will be converted. Any existing angle equal to or greater than the value in this field is ignored. For example, if the maximum target angle is set to 90 degrees, right angles are left unchanged. If you change the value to 91 degrees, right angles are rounded.

Preview
Check this box to see the result of the effect prior to its application. The artboard is automatically updated as you change values. When the effect is applied to extremely complex paths, you may want to uncheck Preview until you've entered your target values.

Cancel/OK
The cancel button terminates the effect dialog box without changing the selected object; the OK button applies the effect with the selected settings.

Pop-up menu
In the lower-left corner of the Smart Rounding dialog box is a triangle that gives access to the pop-up menu.
You can reset the window settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

filter_smartround

Xtream Path 2: Smart Rounding Filter

[ Index ] [ Effects and Filters in General ]
From the sample file filter_smartround_01.ai

The Smart Rounding filter adds a curve to any corner anchor point. By adding a pair of smooth points to replace the corner point, any angle can be rounded, regardless of path segment shape. The Smart Rounding filter gives you control over the shape of concave and convex corners independently.

With any object that includes one or more corner anchor points selected on the artboard, use the menu command Filter> XtreamPath2 > Smart Rounding to open the dialog box.

Here's how to control the Smart Rounding filter:

Maximum Length along Convex Angle
This field determines the maximum distance along the path for placement of a corner's new smooth anchor points. For complex paths, Smart Rounding may use a smaller value to avoid conflicts with existing anchor points.

Maximum Length along Concave Angle
This field is used to independently control the rounding of concave corners. As with convex corners, a smaller value may be used to avoid conflicts with other anchor points.

TIP: While the Maximum Length fields measure in points, you can enter any of Illustrator's standard units of measure and Xtream Path 2 will convert to point on the fly. For example, in the Maximum Length field enter 1 in and hit Tab or Return/Enter. The value is automatically converted to 72 pt.

Maintain Ratio
When this option is selected, you can change the value in either field above and maintain the existing relationship between the two fields. For example, if the maximum length for convex angles is twice that of concave angles, changing either field results in a new value for the other field, maintaining the 2:1 ratio.

Curvature Constraint [Recommended]
Loosen the curvature constraint which the rounding affects the segments. If maximum value of chamfer is excessive, it may create the unexpected result. Therefore, in principle selecting this option is recommended.

Ignore Angles Above
The value specified here determines which angles of the original object will be converted. Any existing angle equal to or greater than the value in this field is ignored. For example, if the maximum target angle is set to 90 degrees, right angles are left unchanged. If you change the value to 91 degrees, right angles are rounded.

Preview
Check this box to see the effect of the filter prior to its application. The artboard is automatically updated as you change values. When the filter is applied to extremely complex paths, you may want to uncheck Preview until you've entered your target values.

Cancel/OK
The cancel button terminates the filter dialog box without changing the selected object; the OK button applies the filter with the selected settings.

Pop-up menu
In the lower-left corner of the Smart Rounding dialog box is a triangle that gives access to the pop-up menu.
You can reset the window settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

 

TIP: The Smart Rounding filter can be recorded in an Illustrator Action to simplify repeated application. Not only will recording the filter in an Action speed up its application, it ensures uniformity from object to object. If you've got a number of objects, or a number of illustrations, that need to have identical corners, record Smart Rounding in an Action and assign it to an F-key combination for one-step filtering. Assign the F-key combination in the New Action or Action Options dialog box.

filter_smartround_sc

Xtream Path 2: Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) Filter

[ Index ] [ Effects and Filters in General ]
From the sample filter_smartround_sc_01.ai

Like the Smart Rounding filter, the Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) filter adds a curve to any corner anchor point. By adding a pair of smooth points to replace the corner point, any angle can be rounded, regardless of path segment shape. The filter gives you control over the shape of concave and convex corners independently. The difference between the two filters is basic: While Smart Rounding works on a selected object in its entirety, Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) is applied to one or more selected corner anchor points.

Select one or more anchors points of an object, then use the command Filter> Xtream Path> Smart Rounding (Selected Corners). You then apply the filter to the selected corners, leaving the unselected anchor points unchanged. In this example, the original object is shown in the middle. At the top, the star's inner corners are selected and the filter is being applied. At the bottom, the filter is being applied only to the star's outer corners.

Here's how to control the Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) filter:

Maximum Length along Convex Angle
This field determines the maximum distance along the path for placement of a corner's new smooth anchor points. For complex paths, Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) may use a smaller value to avoid conflicts with existing anchor points.

Maximum Length along Concave Angle
This field is used to independently control the rounding of concave corners. As with convex corners, a smaller value may be used to avoid conflicts with other anchor points.

TIP: While the Maximum Length fields measure in points, you can enter any of Illustrator's standard units of measure and Xtream Path will convert to point on the fly. For example, in the Maximum Length field enter 1 in and hit Tab or Return/Enter. The value is automatically converted to 72 pt.

Maintain Ratio
When this option is selected, you can change the value in either field above and maintain the existing relationship between the two fields. For example, if the maximum length for convex angles is twice that of concave angles, changing either field results in a new value for the other field, maintaining the 2:1 ratio.

Curvature Constraint [Recommended]
Loosen the curvature constraint which the rounding affects the segments. If maximum value of chamfer is excessive, it may create the unexpected result. Therefore, in principle selecting this option is recommended.

Ignore Angles Above
The value specified here determines which angles of the original object will be converted. Any existing angle equal to or greater than the value in this field is ignored. For example, if the maximum target angle is set to 90 degrees, right angles are left unchanged. If you change the value to 91 degrees, right angles are rounded.

Preview
Check this box to see the result of the filter prior to its application. The artboard is automatically updated as you change values. When the filter is applied to extremely complex paths, you may want to uncheck Preview until you've entered your target values.

Cancel/OK
The cancel button terminates the filter dialog box without changing the selected object; the OK button applies the filter with the selected settings.

Pop-up menu
In the lower-left corner of the Smart Rounding dialog box is a triangle that gives access to the pop-up menu.
You can reset the window settings to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’

TIP: The Smart Rounding (Selected Corners) filter can be recorded in an Illustrator Action to simplify repeated application. Not only will recording the filter in an Action speed up its application, it ensures uniformity from object to object. If you've got a number of objects, or a number of illustrations, that need to have identical corners, record Smart Rounding in an Action and assign it to an F-key combination for one-step filtering. Assign the F-key combination in the New Action or Action Options dialog box.

xtreampath2_presetmenu

Xtream Path 2: Preset Menu

[ Index ]

By using Preset Menu, settings in each Xtream Path 2 effects/filters can be saved with the specified name. Making it easy to restore settings from the menu item.
The menu items are located in the following menu, depending on the window and its style.

Live Effect panel window: Menu at the right end of panel title
Effect or Filter dialog window: Pop-up menu at the lower left of window
*Tool panel does not have Preset Menu.

By pressing menu mentioned above, the following menu items will display (from the top).
“Default Settings” / “Edit…” / “(Registered presets)” / “About this plug-in…”
If you choose “Default Settings,” settings in Xtream Path 2 window restore default configuration. If any presets have been registered, the entry is displayed in between “Edit…” and “About this plug-in…” menu items. By selecting one of presets, its settings will be restored in the parent window. To register or update or delete preset, choose “Edit…” and open the preset dialog window. The list in the preset dialog window displays currently registered preset entry(ies). Also, there are (from the left) “Export Selection,” “Import Option Title,” “Create New Option Title” and “Delete Selection” icons at the bottom of the window.

< Example of panel (macOS) >


Below is how to use each process.

Register
Click “Create New Option Title” icon. A dialog window will open. Enter the preset name to save current settings. If you click “OK,” the entry will be added at the end of the list. The preset menu on parent window will also be updated (this applies to all other processes below).

Apply
Double click preset entry from the list. Parent window will load the selected preset settings. The result is the same as choosing the preset menu item from the parent window.

Update
Select (highlight) one of presets (list entry) and click while holding down the option/alt key. The settings for the selected preset will be replaced by the settings from the parent window. A confirmation dialog window will display, and the name of entry can be changed.

NOTE: Only the settings from parent window will be saved. If you would like to change only the name of the preset, please follow “Apply” procedure and load the preset to parent window beforehand.

Delete
Select* the preset (list entry) and click “Delete Selection” icon.
*You can select multiple presets by holding the shift/command (Ctrl for Windows) key.

Sort
If you are on Windows, make sure to check “Drag to swap row” option beforehand.
Select one of presets (list entry) and drag to the desired position. Order of the preset will change.

Import and export
Preset files are saved in the folder named “XtreamPath2 User Settings.” “XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder is located in your “Documents” folder.

“XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder and its content can be shared between a different OS or Illustrator.
To restore all of Xtream Path 2 presets to default settings, close Illustrator and change the name of “XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder, or move the folder to a different directory, or delete the folder. The next time Illustrator launches, the preset folder will be created with default settings again.

Import
Click “Import Option Title” icon. A dialog window opens to specify the folder to import. Select “XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder from other user or backup folder equivalent to “XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder.
When an appropriate folder is selected, a new window opens, and the list of compatible (importable) presets with Xtream Path 2 feature will display. Select preset entry to import and click “OK.” Imported preset will be added at the end of the list in the preset window.

Export
Select* the preset (list entry) to export and click “Export Selection” icon. A dialog window opens to specify the folder to export. Select “XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder from other user or backup folder equivalent to “XtreamPath2 User Settings” folder. Click “OK” and the selected preset file will be exported.
*You can select multiple presets by holding the shift/command (Ctrl for Windows) key.

filterit5_faq xtreampath2_support

Xtream Path 2: Support

[ Index ]

If you have any question or need support, please contact CValley store support at support@cvalley.com.

Comm Valley, LLC
6-11-24 East Narashino,
Narashinoshi, Chiba Japan
support@cvalley.com