Creating Stipple Objects

The Stipple tool creates a random pattern (different shapes, sizes, and, optionally, colors) within a defined boundary, which resembles a hand-drawn shaded effect. Stipple objects can also be created by drawing a polyline and then running the Objects from Polyline command (see Creating Objects from Polylines).

 

To create a stipple object:

1.	Click the Stipple tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click Preferences from the Tool bar to specify or change any default Stipple tool parameters.

The Define Stipple Pattern dialog box opens. Up to two different shapes can be specified to define the stipple pattern.

 

Parameter	Description
Shape 1/Shape 2	Click on the appropriate tab to define two different shapes, sizes, aspect ratios, and shape percentages
Shape type	Select the stipple fill shape. For the polygon shape, specify the number of sides.
Minimum/Maximum Size	Enter the minimum/maximum size of the stipple pattern
Max Aspect Ratio	Enter the maximum aspect ratio of the stipple shapes (enter 1 to display square aspects)
Mix Percent	Enter the fill shape mixture percentage. The percentage defines the contribution of each shape to the stipple pattern, up to 100% (e.g. enter 60% for shape one and shape two automatically displays 40%). If shape one is assigned 100%, then shape two cannot be defined.
Stipple Density
Low/High	Adjust the density of the stipple fill shapes by dragging the slider along the Stipple Density bar
Color Stipple Shapes	Randomly fills the stipple shapes with colors in the specified color range
Color Range/to	Click the color boxes to select the desired color ranges
Fade Stipple from Edge	Creates a stipple that fades in from the edge of the stippled shape
Width of Stipple	Enter the width of the faded area in page dimensions
Void Stipple Center	Leaves the center of the stipple unshaded
Edge Treatment	Determines how the stipple shapes are drawn at the edge of the stippled area
Randomly Rotate Shapes	Select to randomly rotate the stipple shapes. De-select to speed drawing when using fill shapes that do not require rotation, such as ovals with an aspect ratio of 1.
Use World Dimension Units	Select to use real-world dimensions; otherwise, the entries are made in page dimensions (the size the elements display when printed)

Both the Color Stipple Shapes and Fade Stipple from Edge options are processor-intensive actions and can significantly increase stipple regeneration time.

3.

Click OK.

4.	Click on the appropriate mode in the Tool bar to select the boundary creation method of the stipple object.

For more information on the Polyline tool modes, see Creating Polylines.

5.	Click to set the stipple object’s start point.

6.	Click to set the end of the segment and the beginning of the next. Continue drawing segments in this manner until the stipple object is complete.

Editing the Stipple Object Settings

The parameters can be edited for selected stipple objects through the Stipple Settings button on the Shape tab of the Object Info palette (the parameters are described in Creating Stipple Objects). To modify default stipple settings, click the Preferences button on the Tool bar.

Reshaping the Stipple Object

Double-click a stipple object to activate the 2D Reshape tool. Select the object handles to reshape the stipple object boundary. For more information, see Reshaping Objects.

Saving the Stipple Object Settings

Once the stipple object is set to the desired appearance, the settings can be saved for future use or importing into other files, by saving the stipple object. When inserted from the Resource Browser, all the stipple object settings are preset.

To save the selected stipple object:

1.	Select a stipple object.

2.	In the Object Info palette, click Save Stipple.

The Enter String dialog box opens.

3.	Enter a unique name.

4.

Click OK.

The stipple object is saved in the Stipples symbol folder in the Resource Browser.

5.	To use a saved stipple pattern, double-click it in the Resource Browser and begin drawing in Polyline mode. For more information, see Inserting Symbols in 2D.