Ticks, extending lines/ extending path-segments.

[Richa...@adobeforums.com]

Dear reader,

I’m looking for a way to extend line-segments of a path, the way it is done in Sketchup. In Sketchup they call it extensions, but I think those are also called ticks. This program is based on 3D drawing, and I'm tending to use Illustrator for enhancing architectural plans and facades. I’m importing dwg-files and would like to use the existing geometry/objects as much as I can.

There are a lot of features to get sketchy effects in Illustrator. Until now I’ve seen wonderful brush effects in Illustrator, but they all end before the endpoints.

Are these extensions possible in Illustrator or is there a plugin I should be looking for? I would expect it to be in the Illustrator Effect-menu. I was looking for it in the section Distort & Transform.

Thank you for your concern,
Richard Frozen.

[Philip_...@adobeforums.com]

I'm not totally clear on what you are asking, and have never used this, but the hotdoor plug in might be what you are looking for.

<https://www.hotdoor.com/>

[James_...@adobeforums.com]

Richard,

Define what you mean by "line-segments of a path".

If you are talking about a straight segment that you want to "extend" or shorten in its current direction, you can do so by selecting the point that you want to move, getting the Scale tool, setting the center of transformation at the segment's other point, and then scaling proportionally.

JET

[Myle...@adobeforums.com]

He's referring to "end point overshoot", a common technique to give a hand-scribbled look and part of Sketchup's Toon shading mode...

Mylenium

[Richa...@adobeforums.com]

Yes, Mylenium is right. Pardon my English. That is what I'm looking for: "end-point-o-ver-shoot".

I try to avoid the following: having to explode every polygon in a drawing and then adjust every line-segment of a multitude of drawings I get handed over in *.dwg-format.
I'm trying to develop a method, working with layers and effects applied to styles to transform each drawing quickly, once result is satisfactory. So I think I'm looking for a specialized plug-in for Ai.

(In Sketh-Up this overshoot-feature is native integrated. But this is in it's base a 3D-program and I have to trace by hand almost all geometry, because of the programs eccentric way of dealing with lines and their fills. It's a great program for linestyles and extruding rectangles quickly though).

Thank you all for replying!

PS. The "Hotdoor-plugin" most certainly is worthwile considering, especially when you don't allready have other CAD-programs. It's 3D-extension of Ai and addition of dimensioning is interesting.

[James_...@adobeforums.com]

There are a lot of features to get sketchy effects in Illustrator. Until

now I致e seen wonderful brush effects in Illustrator, but they all end
before the endpoints.

Explore more fully what can be done with ArtBrushes. A Brush consists of a group. The rearmost object in that group is an unstroked, unfilled rectangle. That rectangle defines the placement of the Brush artwork relative to the paths to which it is applied. For example:

1. Drag the default ArtBrush named Pencil-Thin from the Brushes Palette onto the artboard.

2. Marquee select around it with the white pointer. You'll see the invisible rectangle.

3. Drag the two ends of the rectangle a little bit inboard of the artwork.

4. Normal-select the Group; drag and drop it back into the Brushes Palette to define a new ArtBrush.

5. Apply the Brush to some paths. Note that the ends now extend beyond the endpoints of the paths to which you apply it.

JET

[Richa...@adobeforums.com]

Ah, thank you very (12X) much. Beautiful. This opened up a whole new range of possibilities Illustrator for me. Your reaction is very (16x) worthwhile/ spot on. This is the line control which is offered in Sketchup pro combined with its end point overshoot features. Now I can do everything I had in mind in just one program (its illustrator, yes). I guess all I have to do is make copy layers of the filled paths (alike the *.dwg-polygons) then explode line segments in one single movement to apply the overshoot in all corners. Afterwards I can then adapt the Art brush (style) until the whole looks satisfactory and maybe make some exceptions.
I guess this end point overshoot is not possible in every cornerpoint of a path, because of Illustrators clear arrow-like approach to Artbrush applied to a path. I mean a clear beginning with an enpoint and something in between in stead of a collection of linesegments with a fill.