How do I create overlapping arrows in a circle (Illustrator)?
December 18, 2009 11:40 AM Subscribe
What's the "right" way to create an arrows-in-a-circle diagram such as this one or these? The last post in that second link works (in Illustrator) if I then expand, ungroup, and bring the last arrowhead to the front...but it seems like a crude solution. Is there a better way? Illustrator seems like it's the right sofware for the job, but I'm open to other ideas, too. Thanks!
Note: I have not tried this.
Nevertheless,
1. Draw a ring.
2. Erase 66% of it.
3. Stick a triangle on one end of the remaining arc.
4. Do all your fancy gradients now.
5. Copy the completed arrow.
6. Paste, rotate 120 degrees.
7. Paste, rotate -120 degrees.
8. Ta-da?
posted by Sys Rq at 12:03 PM on December 18, 2009
Nevertheless,
1. Draw a ring.
2. Erase 66% of it.
3. Stick a triangle on one end of the remaining arc.
4. Do all your fancy gradients now.
5. Copy the completed arrow.
6. Paste, rotate 120 degrees.
7. Paste, rotate -120 degrees.
8. Ta-da?
posted by Sys Rq at 12:03 PM on December 18, 2009
Best answer: The last post in the second link is how I've always done it. If there's an easier way, I've never seen it.
posted by lekvar at 12:38 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by lekvar at 12:38 PM on December 18, 2009
Not at my computer so I can't check, but if you have PowerPoint 2007, SmartArt can probably do it or something similar.
posted by tamitang at 12:43 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by tamitang at 12:43 PM on December 18, 2009
I'm not sure if this is the direction you want to go in, but Microsoft Word (and maybe Open Office) has various arrow-cycle (and other) diagrams build in, and they look pretty nice. You can choose and alter the size, style, color, other details. It looks like MS offers a free trial of Word if you want to give it a try. And open office is, well, already free and all.
posted by sentient at 5:32 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by sentient at 5:32 PM on December 18, 2009
Response by poster: Ok, so if the second link is the right way to do it, how to I cut the path into exactly 3 (or 4 or 6 or 12) equal-length pieces?
posted by The Dutchman at 5:46 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by The Dutchman at 5:46 AM on December 19, 2009
Response by poster: Holy crap these are awesome.
posted by The Dutchman at 8:25 AM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by The Dutchman at 8:25 AM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
Best answer: ...how to I cut the path into exactly 3 (or 4 or 6 or 12) equal-length pieces?
This is how I've done it in the past:
Create your circle
Create a line with the Line Segment tool or the Pen. I usually make them perfectly horizontal or vertical because it helps me keep track of what's going on during the creation stage and everything can be rotated after the basic graphic is ready. Make sure that the line segment is at least a little larger than the diameter of the circle you're working with.
Orient the line and the circle so they both have the same center point.
Copy the line, paste in front of the first line.
Select the front line, go to Object -> Transform -> Rotate...
For three equal sections, rotate the line 120 degrees, copy, paste in front, and rotate the new line a further 120 degrees. You'll have three lines, centered in front of the circle, arranged to form an asterisk. You can use this to make either the three- or six-segment circle. For four equal segments, take the first line, copy, paste in front, and rotate 90 degrees. Other combinations should be pretty apparent.
Next, select all, and hit the Divide button in the Pathfinder palette. This will create a graphic from the intersected lines. Ungroup and delete all the segments that aren't the original circle.
This will give you six equal arcs, arranged to form a circle. Yo can join the segments together to make three equal segments, or adjust the lines before dividing so that one edge of the line does not overlap the edge of the circle.
There's probably an easier way, but I don't know it. This is actually pretty quick and easy once you've done it once or twice.
Add your gradients, arrow heads, design elements, what-have-you, and you're done.
posted by lekvar at 3:32 PM on December 21, 2009
This is how I've done it in the past:
Create your circle
Create a line with the Line Segment tool or the Pen. I usually make them perfectly horizontal or vertical because it helps me keep track of what's going on during the creation stage and everything can be rotated after the basic graphic is ready. Make sure that the line segment is at least a little larger than the diameter of the circle you're working with.
Orient the line and the circle so they both have the same center point.
Copy the line, paste in front of the first line.
Select the front line, go to Object -> Transform -> Rotate...
For three equal sections, rotate the line 120 degrees, copy, paste in front, and rotate the new line a further 120 degrees. You'll have three lines, centered in front of the circle, arranged to form an asterisk. You can use this to make either the three- or six-segment circle. For four equal segments, take the first line, copy, paste in front, and rotate 90 degrees. Other combinations should be pretty apparent.
Next, select all, and hit the Divide button in the Pathfinder palette. This will create a graphic from the intersected lines. Ungroup and delete all the segments that aren't the original circle.
This will give you six equal arcs, arranged to form a circle. Yo can join the segments together to make three equal segments, or adjust the lines before dividing so that one edge of the line does not overlap the edge of the circle.
There's probably an easier way, but I don't know it. This is actually pretty quick and easy once you've done it once or twice.
Add your gradients, arrow heads, design elements, what-have-you, and you're done.
posted by lekvar at 3:32 PM on December 21, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks lekvar! Maybe I can save you some time in return. When you rotate the first time, check the "copy" box. Then just hit ctrl+d however many times you need to "transform again."
posted by The Dutchman at 1:31 PM on December 23, 2009
posted by The Dutchman at 1:31 PM on December 23, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:44 AM on December 18, 2009