Intermediate  
 
  Using a Blend For Irregular Shapes in FreeHand® - Part Two      
   
   

6. Hide the current layer, then activate the layer with the cloned object. Select it and give it a 10 point stroke.

7. Next, click Modify > Alter Path > Expand Stroke. Click "OK" in the dialog.

8. This creates a closed path out of the line.

9. Modify the object to the desired shape. This object will be a clipping path for the blend. It is shown below in Keyline mode.

10. Give the object a black fill.

11. Activate the layer containing the blend and select it, then click Edit > Cut.

12. Activate the other layer, select the path and click Edit > Paste Inside. The black filled object becomes a clipping path for the blend.

postit.gif   Note: Please notice that the clipping path object retains its stroke and fill properties. In this case the clipping path is the closed path of the cord with a black stroke and fill. Different applications each treat clipping paths in a slightly different way. In Deneba Canvas, Adobe® Illustrator® or Photoshop® the stroke and fill of a clipping path will be "none" (blank), while in Macromedia® FreeHand or CorelDRAW® a clipping path retains its stroke and fill properties.

13. Shown below is the finished drawing. This example was just a simple curved shape. This same technique can be used on a more complex shape with more than two objects in the blend.